Safest Treat helps make faculty, students aware of possible risks

By Shereka Blue
Assistant News Editor

The National Black HIV/AIDS Day brought students of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and Keep A Child Alive together in the James B. Chavis University Center for “The Safest Treat” on Feb. 7. 
           
The event featured tables of cupcakes, cookies and brownies, as well as condoms and pamphlets on safe sex and abstinence. 
           
Students, faculty and staff browsed the tables.  Some departed with a “safe treat” of their choice.
           
“To coincide with the National Black HIV/AIDS Day we decided to come together for ‘The Safest Treat’ in hopes to educate and bring awareness of the AIDS epidemic.  We hope to work together again for the cause,” said Shelby Hughes, president of Keep A Child Alive. 
           
Keep A Child Alive was founded at UNCP in September 2006, as the inaugural chapter in North Carolina and is dedicated to providing life-saving treatment to children and families with HIV/AIDS in Africa and the developing world by directly engaging the global public in the fight against AIDS, according to a press release from Keep A Child Alive.
           
“We provide antiretroviral treatments for children and families in Africa,” said Shikia Swatson of Keep A Child Alive.
           
Antiretroviral treatments “are the main type of treatment for HIV or AIDS. It is not a cure, but it can stop people from becoming ill for many years. The treatment consists of drugs that have to be taken every day for the rest of someone's life,” according to avert.org.
           
“We are very concerned about the kids in Africa,” said Lee Hammonds of Kappa Alpha Psi.
           
It is important to understand that the problem exists in America as well, and as we educate others on the benefits of safe sex we also show the effect that we as young Americans can have, said Darcel Walker, vice president of Keep A Child Alive.

The next meeting will be Feb. 27 for anyone who’s interested in helping keep a child alive.