FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 February 26, 2008

Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of HIV/AIDS observed

CHARLESTON – The S.C. Department of Health & Environmental Control is partnering with African-American churches in Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties to celebrate the Black Week Church of Prayer for the Healing of HIV/AIDS with a variety of activities.

The week will kick off with a March 1 concert at Graham AME Church on Wappoo Road in Charleston. The concert will feature the combined Citadel Gospel Choir and One Accord of Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist Church. The St. James Presbyterian Church Men’s Choir and the Graham AME Church Male Choir will also participate.

“The Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of HIV/AIDS is a powerful week of prayer, education and action,” said Catherine Lamkin, director of health education for DHEC’s Region 7 which serves Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties. “This national awareness campaign engages black congregations to support, encourage and empower African-Americans to take action toward stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS in black communities worldwide.”

Lamkin said that of newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS cases in the three counties over the past two years, over 60 percent were among African-Americans.

“The African-American faith community serves as a powerful vehicle for change in helping to eradicate this epidemic,” she said.

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For more information contact:

Catherine Lamkin (843) 746-3869
E-mail lamkincm@dhec.sc.gov

Linda Pranger (843) 746-3846
E-mail prangell@dhec.sc.gov

BNR1835

Events Calendar

March 1, 2008

March 2, 2008

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