Staff from The Aurum institute’s Rustenburg Clinical Research Site, participated in an international campaign to mark National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD).
This is a US commemoration observed annually on February 7, to raise awareness, spur conversation and highlight the work being done to reduce HIV in Black communities. It is an opportunity to increase HIV education, testing, community involvement, care and treatment in these communities.
On invitation from the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) network, the Aurum staff shared what Black HIV/AIDS Awareness means to them.
William Lawrence Brumskine, CRS Leader & Principal Investigator, @BrumskineClinic, @Auruminstitute #NBHAAD #HIV #AIDS #Research #ACTGNetwork #ClinicalTrials #HopeforaCure #GetTested #StopHIVTogether #BlackHealthMatters #KnowYourStatus #HIVPrevention #StopHIVStigma #HIVAwareness pic.twitter.com/18zpQnEVhK
— ACTG Network (@ACTGNetwork) February 7, 2021
“#NBHAAD means there's a chance that millions of Africans around the world are closer to better #HIVTreatments, which is a step closer to 1 day getting the cure for HIV/AIDS! It's a chance to have an HIV-free future generation!"
— ACTG Network (@ACTGNetwork) February 7, 2021
Lungile Mbata, Program Manager, Rustenburg CRS pic.twitter.com/tfQ4MuEUQU
The ACTG is the world’s largest and longest running HIV clinical trials network. It conducts ground-breaking research to improve the treatment of HIV and its co-infections, including tuberculosis and viral hepatitis, as well as its co-morbidities. It also seeks to advance approaches to ultimately cure HIV. ACTG has clinical trial units and sites in 16 countries which also serve as major resources for HIV/AIDS research and training and education in the communities they are in. These include Aurum Rustenburg. ACTG clinical studies have had a profound impact on the well-being of people living with HIV worldwide, helping to establish current paradigms for treating HIV and contributing to dramatic decreases in HIV-related mortality worldwide.
1/2 “This year’s theme is important to Black community and the society at large. All South Africans, Blacks in particular should come together to fight and win the battle against HIV/AIDS..."#NBHAAD
— ACTG Network (@ACTGNetwork) February 7, 2021
John Mdluli, Community Engagement Lead, @Auruminstitute pic.twitter.com/gdjAzRjUp6
2/2 "Our Apartheid experience has taught us (Blacks) that 'united we win & divided we fall'. It's therefore through teamwork & partnership that we can win the struggles such as HIV/AIDS that are facing Black communities.”
— ACTG Network (@ACTGNetwork) February 7, 2021
John Mdluli, Community Engagement Lead, @Auruminstitute
“Our search continues to uncover answers that give hope. Hope leads to a brighter future, a future free of #HIV. Our steps will turn into leaps & our leaps into strides as we strive to live in AIDS-free world.“ #givinghope
— ACTG Network (@ACTGNetwork) February 7, 2021
@mellosenne30, Sub-Investigator, @Auruminstitute #NBHAAD pic.twitter.com/kYkXCR4NNv
“National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (#NBHAAD) uniquely means when we stand together, we are strong together.”
— ACTG Network (@ACTGNetwork) February 7, 2021
Precy Mashele, Research Assistant, @Auruminstitute #StopHIVTogether #BlackHealthMatters #KnowYourStatus #HIVPrevention #StopHIVStigma #HIVAwareness #HopeforaCure pic.twitter.com/h04b9dX54T
“#NBHAAD serves as a reminder that above race, religion or beliefs, we still need to hold hands together as a nation, particularly in the black communities, to fight #HIV/AIDS together, stop stigmatization & love one another regardless of individual status.”
— ACTG Network (@ACTGNetwork) February 7, 2021
-Madidimalo Machaba pic.twitter.com/T5CiUjf9Ev
“To me, the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (#NBHAAD) means Black nation must take care of themselves. Let’s get tested and start treatment as soon as possible.”
— ACTG Network (@ACTGNetwork) February 7, 2021
-Pule Seatlanyane, Research Nurse, Rustenburg, South Africa#HopeforaCure #GetTested #StopHIVTogether pic.twitter.com/YFWkpH4HXI
“#NBHAAD to me means mostly in Black nations, people must get tested, encourage use of condoms, and also remember those who died of #HIV/AIDS.”
— ACTG Network (@ACTGNetwork) February 7, 2021
-Obakeng Booi, Research Nurse, @auruminstitute, South Africa#BlackHealthMatters #KnowYourStatus #HIVPrevention #StopHIVStigma pic.twitter.com/LIj6TGENbV
