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| Home 2012 Walk for AIDS
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House of Mercy Video Newsletters - Residents'
Bill of Rights 20th Anniversary Walk for AIDS
Report for the
Community
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House of Mercy's 20th Anniversary Open House on World AIDS Day (December 1st) was enjoyed by residents, staff, board members and other supporters including ten Sisters of Mercy. The residence was beautifully decorated with the help of volunteers from MAC Cosmetics. A lovely spread of food and drinks was prepared by volunteers from String Bean Catering. Stan Patterson, House of Mercy President, and Kimber Walters, 2010-2011 Board Chair, welcomed guests to the residence followed by Margie Storch, Director of Development, who gave an overview of World AIDS Day. Sister Rosalind Picot talked about House of Mercy's 20 year history. Sister Carmelita Hagan offered a prayer for all served by our AIDS ministry and Shirley Stowe, Director of Nursing, read the names of residents who had died in the past year. Special recognition was given to two guests. Mary Wright was honored for serving as House of Mercy's first president from 1991-1995. Sister Rosalind Picot was recognized for her work in founding House of Mercy and over the past 20 years. Then all joined together for a rousing version of jingle bells, camaraderie and good food! Thanks to all who joined us to commemorate 20 years of service and to those who supported this event financially. A special thanks to our sponsors CaroMont Health/ID Associates, Metropolitan Community Church of Charlotte, The Tradesmen, Tibotec Therapeutics, Gilead Sciences and Rodgers Builders. Thanks also to event friends Art Aspects, Beam Electric Company, Dr. John Capps and James Collins.
The global theme for 2011 World AIDS Day is GETTING TO ZERO: Zero New HIV Infections. Zero Discrimination. Zero AIDS Related Deaths. There is still much work to be done. Although AIDS has received less media attention in recent years, the number of newly identified cases of HIV/AIDS continues to grow. People living with HIV disease in the U.S. total over 1.1 million, including more than 468,000 with AIDS. Of those living with HIV disease, 21% (over 231,000 persons in the U.S.) are unaware of their status. More than half of new HIV infections in the U.S. occur in the South. The South has the greatest number of people estimated to be living with AIDS, as well as the most AIDS deaths and new AIDS diagnoses. The need for housing and specialized care for low-income persons living with AIDS continues as an estimated 35,000 people are now living with HIV or AIDS in North Carolina (including the 20% of HIV positive persons who are unaware of their infection).
Make a difference..... You can make a difference in the lives of low-income persons living with AIDS in our area by supporting House of Mercy. Help change a life with a credit card donation, check or money order to payable to House of Mercy, P. O. Box 808, Belmont, NC 28012. You can give a gift in honor of or in memory of someone. An acknowledgement card will be sent to the persons you designate.
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