FATHERS WHO CARE AND THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO HOLD JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE TO RAISE AWARENESS OF WORLD AIDS DAY

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Today, December 1, 2009, Chicago’s Fathers Who Care and the Illinois Department of Public Health will hold a joint press conference and partner with Congressman Danny K. Davis, (RED), Illinois Lottery and Walgreens for a press briefing.  The event will be held at Chicago’s Garfield Park Conservatory Community Room (300 North Central Park Avenue) from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.  Fathers Who Care, the Illinois Department of Public Health, (RED), Illinois Lottery, Chicago Department of Public Health, Walgreens and Congressman Davis are committed to supporting programs that combat this epidemic by educating Chicagoans on the dangers, prevention tips and other basic information about the spread of this disease by holding this press conference.

Speakers confirmed include Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Damon T. Arnold; Fathers Who Care CEO, Walter Jones; Congressman Danny K. Davis; (RED) Chief Operating Officer Colin Brady; Alderman Ed Smith; Walgreens Director of Community Affairs John Gremer; Illinois Lottery Specialty Ticket Manager Tracy Manuel; and Christopher Brown Assistant Commissioner, STD/HIV/AIDS Division, Chicago Department of Public Health.  In addition to the press conference and mock HIV test, Illinois Lottery will be unveiling a new Quality of Life scratch-off ticket called “Red Ribbon Bonus Bucks,” where 100 percent of net proceeds support HIV/AIDS-prevention education and awareness across Illinois.  Other events during the week include a town hall discussion, gospel concert, candlelight vigil, a leadership forum and the annual People’s Gala. 

Epidemic Hits Home

Illinois has the seventh highest number of AIDS cases in the nation, with 30,000 reported cases since 1981.  Of those diagnosed with the disease, almost 16,500 have died.  “The Illinois community has been severely affected by the AIDS epidemic.  We at Fathers Who Care see the urgency to educate.  The only way to move forward is by educating and starting the discussion.  We hope that this press conference will encourage people to understand this disease, know their status and get tested.” said Walter Jones, Founder and CEO of Fathers Who Care.

“Increasing awareness of HIV and AIDS is a key to stopping the spread of the virus.  Everyone is encouraged to access free HIV counseling and testing,” added Ben Montgomery, the Constituent Services Administrator for Congressman Davis.

Since HIV was first identified in 1981, it has spread rapidly throughout the world.  AIDS is something that affects us all.

• In the United States, an estimated 800,000 to 900,000 people are currently living with HIV/AIDS.
• Of that 800,000 to 900,000 people living with HIV/AIDS, one-third of them do not know that they are infected. 
• Approximately 40,000 people in the United States become infected each year. 
• People of color, particularly African Americans and Latinos, are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS and have some of the highest infections rates. 

 
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About Fathers Who Care

Fathers Who Care (FWC) is a comprehensive, parental involvement, social service initiative that was created to provide a nurturing and educational environment for non-custodial and custodial fathers who are indigent, but are interested in building their parental involvement and social skills, while also maintaining a positive and successful relationship with their children. FWC is committed to educating, empowering and advocating on behalf of those who are not able to do it themselves.

About (RED)

(RED) is a brand designed to engage business and consumer power to help eliminate AIDS in Africa.  (RED) works with the world’s best brands to make unique (PRODUCT) RED-branded products and direct up to 50% of their gross profits to the Global Fund to invest in African AIDS programs with a focus on the health of women and children. (RED) is not a charity or “campaign”. It is an economic initiative that aims to deliver a sustainable flow of private sector money to the Global Fund.  Since (PRODUCT) RED launched in 2006, (RED) partnerships with Converse, Gap, Emporio Armani, Apple, Starbucks, Hallmark, Dell, Microsoft, Bugaboo and American Express (UK only) and (RED) events have generated $140 million for the Global Fund.

About Congressman Danny K. Davis

Danny K. Davis was chosen by the people of the 7th Congressional District of Illinois as their Representative in Congress on November 5, 1996. He has been re-elected by large majorities to succeeding Congresses, most recently to the 111th Congress on November 7, 2008.  In the 111th Congress, Representative Davis serves on the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.  Congressman Davis a Member of the Congressional Black Caucus, Co-Chairman of the Community Health Centers Caucus, Co-Chairman of the Congressional Sugar Caucus, the Progressive Caucus, the India Caucus, the Steel Caucus, the Art Caucus and the Hellenic Caucus to name a few.

About the Illinois Lottery

Founded in 1974, the Illinois Lottery is a state agency with annual sales over $2 billion. Since its inception, the Lottery has contributed more than $14 billion to the state Common School Fund to assist K-12 public schools. Players must be at least 18 years old. For more information on the Illinois Lottery please visit www.illinoislottery.com.

About Walgreens

Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation’s largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2009 sales of $63 billion. The company operates 7,105 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Walgreens provides the most convenient access to consumer goods and services and cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services in America through its retail drugstores, Walgreens Health Services division and Walgreens Health and Wellness division. Walgreens Health Services assists pharmacy patients and prescription drug and medical plans through Walgreens Health Initiatives Inc. (a pharmacy benefit manager), Walgreens Mail Service Inc., Walgreens Home Care Inc., Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy LLC and SeniorMed LLC (a pharmacy provider to long-term care facilities). Walgreens Health and Wellness division includes Take Care Health Systems, the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.