Mayor Michael Heitzler w/representatives of the NAACP and Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church (provided)GOOSE CREEK, S.C. (WCIV) -- The mayor of Goose Creek has set aside a day in February to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS in the black community.
Mayor Michael Heitzler signed a proclamation declaring February 7
"National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day" in the City of Goose Creek.
Mayor
Heitzler met with representatives of the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Goose Creek Branch and Mt. Moriah
Missionary Baptist Church HIV/AIDS Ministry to sign the proclamation,
Officials hope to draw attention to the importance of education, getting tested, getting involved
and getting treatment for those affected by HIV/AIDS.
According to a release by the city, African Americans face the most severe burden
of HIV of all racial/ethnic groups in the United States and 73 percent of people
diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in South Carolina are African-American.
The release also says African-Americans have a HIV/AIDS case rate six times greater than whites in
Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties.
The Goose Creek NAACP Branch, Mt.
Moriah Missionary Baptist Church HIV/AIDS Ministry, Lowcountry AIDS Services and
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) are hosting
community events including free testing to recognize this day and its importance
to African Americans and all concerned citizens.
