National Minority AIDS Council Announces Premier AIDS Conference

The city of Philadelphia hosts the United States Conference on AIDS

Washington, DC (PRWEB) October 9, 2004 -- The National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) today announces the 2004 United States Conference on AIDS (USCA), to be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 21st through the 24th. This years theme, We the People," captures the essence of this meeting, where frontline workers, policy makers, medical personnel, activists and concerned community members come together to share ideas and concerns, and offer possible solutions for the future.

NMAC is the largest national organization dedicated to addressing the challenges of HIV/AIDS in minority communities, and is committed to increasing the strength and diversity of the community-based response to the AIDS epidemic through conferences and trainings such as USCA, the largest conference of AIDS workers in the country. USCA conference partners include the following: AIDS Action; AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth and Families; AIDS, Medicine & Miracles; American Foundation for AIDS Research; Association of Nutrition Services Agencies; The Balm In Gilead; Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS; Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS; Elton John AIDS Foundation; LIFEbeat; MAC AIDS Fund; Mothers' Voices; The NAMES Project Foundation; National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors; National Association of People with AIDS; National Native American AIDS Prevention Center; and The Red Hot Organization.

CONFERENCE DESCRIPTION
USCA consists of four plenary sessions, focusing on relevant and pressing issues for communities battling the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Led by industry leaders in research, policy and education, these motivational presentations serve as the cornerstone of the conference in providing up-to-date and current perspectives on the crisis. In addition, there are institute sessions, seminars, workshops, roundtables and poster presentations. The conference tracks explore the following topics: Care and Primary Care, Executive Director Leadership, Fundraising and Finance, International Issues, Nutrition, Prevention, Public Policy, Special Issues and Treatment and Research.

USCA/NMAC SPECIAL EVENT
On October 22nd, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, hundreds of committed individuals will join NMAC for the world premier of the beautifully written composition, The Silence is Broken," which tells a woman's HIV story in song, by nationally renowned songwriter and composer, G. Patrick Gandy.

At NMAC's campaign kick-off, Renee Goldsberry, from the hit television shows Ally McBeal and One Life to Live, will perform Gandy's song, which reveals a mother's tale of how contracting AIDS has affected her life and also pays tribute to all the women lost to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

"The Silence is Broken" awareness and fundraising campaign will provide those impacted and affected by HIV/AIDS, particularly women of color, who are now most affected by the disease, a voice in the national media. Ultimately, it will be a voice that will resound for all the women - daughters, sisters, aunts, mothers, co-workers and friends-who are at risk.

Proceeds for this event will raise funds for the National Minority AIDS Council and effectively support the organization's objective to develop more equitable and capable responses to the crisis of HIV/AIDS in America's communities of color. For ticket information, please call 202-483-6622, x365.

USCA HOST COMMITTEE EVENTS
In celebration of the many contributions and successes gained in the fight against HIV/AIDS, the Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey Host Committee have sponsored several events during the conference, including the following:

•The Constitutional Gala: A Celebration of We The People"
•Campaign Kick-off: "Dare To Wear Red - Remember Why We Care"
•Seminar: "Assessing the Needs of the Newly Infected"
•Film Screening and Discussion: "A Closer Walk"
•"HIV/AIDS...The Devastating Impact on the African-American Community"
•HIV Clinical Update Lecture and Reception
•Candle Light March, Mural Dedication and Reception: "A Journey Through Remembrance"
•Youth Event: Open Mic" Night

For event details, visit the host committee website at http://www.critpath.org/uscahostcommittee/.

Media Information
All media must be credentialed to attend the conference and should contact Khari Smith (kesmith@rossassociates.biz) at 215.772.9325.

About National Minority AIDS Council
The National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) was founded in 1987 to develop leadership within communities of color to address challenges of HIV/AIDS. NMAC has responded to the needs of communities of color by developing programs aimed at enhancing the skills necessary to confront this health crisis, including a public policy education program, national and regional training conferences, a treatment and research program and numerous publications. Today, NMAC is an association of AIDS service organizations providing valuable information to community-based organizations, hospitals, clinics and other groups assisting individuals and families affected by the AIDS epidemic.

CONTACT:                     
National Minority AIDS Council       
Carole Bernard
Director of Communications
202-483-6622
cbernard@nmac.org

MEDIA CONTACT:

Khari Smith
Ross Associates
215-772-9325
kesmith@rossassocites.biz

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