World AIDS Day: Standing Together for Awareness, Health, and Hope

On the first day of December, as flurries of snow were hitting the ground and temperatures dipped below 40 degrees, Community Advocates of Northern Indiana (CANI) joined The Gary Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., at the Flourish Church for their World AIDS Day Gospel Celebration. We stood alongside Community Partners from across the Region to unite for this important celebration.

Each year on December 1st, this event is dedicated to raising awareness about HIV and AIDS, support those living with HIV, and commemorate those who have lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses.

CANI was in attendance to raise awareness on the importance of Heart Health & Heart Disease Prevention, especially for those living with any chronic disease including HIV/AIDs. CANI’s team, led by Penny Cochran, facilitated BMI and Behavioral Health screening for the community in attendance.

Cochran presented on heart disease, explaining the effects, risk factors, and identifying tools and resources to help with prevention. Cardiovascular Disease is a general term for a group of disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels. The most common types of heart diseases are heart attack, heart failure, and irregular heartbeat.

She identified key symptoms to keep an eye out for, including chest pain, tightness, shortness of breath, pain in the neck, jaw, belly, or back, etc., with the risk factors being age, family history, sex, high blood pressure, smoking, etc.

If you use tobacco products, you are at a much higher risk for heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and irregular heartbeat. For those looking to quit, we have resources available. Reach out to Community Advocates of Northern Indiana at (219) 885-9755 or text READY to 34191.

To everyone who came out to raise awareness: we're better together, and your support is greatly appreciated.