AIDS REVISITED - An Important Update for Teens

AIDS REVISITED 2012:  CALLING ALL TEENS

On Friday, April 6, 2012, at 2:30pm island teenagers are invited to the YMCA of MV - Alexandra Gagnon Teen Center in Oak Bluffs to attend an hour and a half up-to-date learning session on HIV/AIDS.  Not much has been heard in recent years about this subject.  This in not because HIV/AIDS has gone away and neither is there a cure or single effective treatment.  

There are more medications with varying effectiveness available, but the virus, HIV, remains more resilient and resistant than ever.  Imagine taking, for example, seven different pills a day using different colors to distinguish one from the other realizing that pills are not likely to have distinguishing colors.  Imagine as follows.  Take one RED pill twice a day on an empty stomach.  Take one WHITE pill every four hours.  Take two PINK pills before breakfast and two before bedtime.  Take one BLUE pill every 8 hours on a full stomach.  Take one GREEN pill every time you take a RED pill.  Take one PURPLE pill each day and keep this bottle refrigerated.  Take one ORANGE pill as needed for nausea and do not exceed 4 orange pills in any 24 hours. The need for taking so many pills will be explained at the session. 

            This presentation is being sponsored by the New England AIDS Educational & Training Center (NEAETC) through Durrell Fox, the Minority AIDS Initiative Project Director.  Presenters will also include Tony Lombardi (MVRHS and Teen Center Director); Joyce (Steward) Rickson RN, NAACP AIDS outreach worker and former Director of AIDS Alliance of MV; Catherine Coogan RN, MV Family Planning; and also for panel discussion, Christina Costello of MVCS CONNECT to Violence.  This event is also supported by members of the MVRHS, the town schools and the Youth Task Force. 

            The implications of this presentation are far reaching in terms of adolescent and teen experiences with sexuality; relationships; peer pressure; rape/sexual abuse; risk behaviors including alcohol/drug/substance abuse; escalating STDs associated with genital herpes, HPV and Chlamydia; and the need for guidance in making important decision affecting a young person’s life and future. This presentation should alert the island community to the need for ongoing information for youth and adults seeking a healthy tomorrow..

            Refreshments will be served and door prizes such as free tickets to a Friday Teen Dance at the Y. Please call 508 - 696 - 7171 Ext for more info.