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For immediate release TCAAF ENCOURAGES RENEWED FOCUS ON EDUCATION, PREVENTION AND REMEMBRANCE ON WORLD AIDS DAY 2007 Monday, November 26, 2007 – World AIDS Day is observed annually on December 1st around the world as a way to strengthen global efforts in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic, which continues to spread in all regions of the world. As part of World AIDS day, the Turks and Caicos AIDS Awareness Foundation (TCAAF) is encouraging all churches to dedicate its services on Sunday, December 2 (the day after World AIDS Day) to raising the awareness for World AIDS Day. In addition, the non-profit organization is supporting other World AIDS Day initiatives going on throughout the country hosted by the National AIDS Program (NAP). “World AIDS Day serves as a time to renew our collective community focus on prevention and education as well as remembrance of those who have died and prayers for those infected and affected by the virus,” said Hon. Galmo Williams, patron, founder and director of the Turks and Caicos AIDS Awareness Foundation. “This year as part of World AIDS Day, the TCAAF is asking that Sunday, December 2 be dedicated to praying for hope and healing for all those affected by the disease.” To show unity within the country, the TCAAF is supplying churches with red ribbons to give to their congregations as well as helium filled balloons, which will be released ceremonially in memory of lost loved ones and as a sign of hope for the future. In addition to promoting remembrance and prayer, the TCAAF is helping to fund the cost of red tee shirts that will be used by the TCI National AIDS Program on World AIDS day. The NAP will supply plain red tee shirts with a white ribbon on the front to the youth, who will make a human red AIDS ribbon at both the Ballpark in Provo, and the Parade Ground in Grand Turk on Saturday, December 1st. TCAAF Observes World AIDS Day 2007 The TCAAF is a non-profit, volunteer organization aimed at erasing the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS in Turks and Caicos. The current focus of the group is building a youth center in Providenciales that’s open to all young people in the country. Building a youth center has long been a goal of the TCAAF and is now closer to reality, with construction fully underway. The youth center will be open to everyone in the community and provide a safe place for young people to spend time. In addition to the youth center, the TCAAF supports programs aimed at AIDS awareness and education. The TCAAF TV show Making a Difference airs the last Tuesday of every month at 9:00 pm on Channel 4 and addresses various subjects related to HIV/AIDS in a positive, entertaining format. The group has helped fund a music video by local artists Blackout for one of their songs that promotes safe sex and has sponsored a youth worker from Providenciales to serve as an African teaching intern at Grass Roots Soccer, an international charitable organization that leverages the power of soccer to combat the challenge of HIV/AIDS. About the TCAAF The TCAAF is a non-profit organization that was founded in December of 2003 by a group of individuals who lost friends and/or family members to AIDS. The mission of the organization is to raise awareness and eliminate the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV and AIDS through education and community participation to affect positive lifestyle and behavioral changes. In addition, the TCAAF supports the efforts of the Turks and Caicos National AIDS Program and has recently broke ground on a new youth center that will be open to everyone in the community. The TCAAF relies on its membership fees for existence. Individual memberships are $100, corporate memberships are $500, please call 941-2222 for details. ENDS Press Contact: |