World AIDS Day Detroit will take over the Detroit Opera House on Dec. 1 with three events: the annual Mayors Breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m.; a World AIDS Day Symposium from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., which is free and open to the public; and a benefit concert at 7 p.m. featuring several popular contestants from various seasons of Fox television's "American Idol."
The Detroit Opera House is located at 1526 Broadway. Visit www.worldsaidsdaydetroit.com for event information and to purchase tickets.
World AIDS Day Detroit was launched in 2011 by Wayne State University School of Medicine fourth-year medical student Phillip Kucab to call greater attention to the disease, which is no longer a death sentence because of advancements in treatment but remains a viral concern, especially in Detroit.
"Together we can make a difference as Detroit commemorates World AIDS Day. HIV and AIDS is still a big problem and we need to be talking more openly about it. HIV is 100 percent preventable, yet we are still seeing 50,000 new infections each year," Kucab said. "In the United States, one out of 200 people have HIV, but it's three times that rate here in Detroit. One in four people with HIV do not even know they have it. Treatment and care is accessible, yet less than half of the people in and around Detroit who have HIV are being treated. We must do much better than that."
Jeanne White-Ginder, mother of Ryan White, will speak at all events. Ryan, who was a hemophiliac, is remembered for his courageous fight to return to school after being expelled from his Kokomo, Ind., middle school because of the HIV infection he contracted through a contaminated blood transfusion. He became a national spokesperson for HIV/AIDS soon after, and his inspiring story garnered worldwide attention from many, including superstars Michael Jackson and Elton John, who remained by his side until his death in April 1990. Today, the Ryan White Care Act provides support, medical care and treatment to more than 500,000 people each year.
The annual Mayors Breakfast brings together Detroit-area mayors and community leaders, HIV/AIDS organizations and medical professionals in the fight against HIV. The breakfast will feature White-Ginder and a musical tribute to World AIDS Day. Tickets are available at www.worldaidsdaydetroit.com.
The symposium is open to the public and will include a presentation of the AIDS quilts, "The Ryan White Story" and performances from area schools on the main stage of the Detroit Opera House. Schools and students interested in participating or performing may call 313-757-1733 or email aburton@worldaidsdaydetroit.com.
World AIDS Day concludes with a 7 p.m. benefit concert starring six contestants from "American Idol." They include Detroit natives and season 13 alumni Malaya Watson and Keri Lynn Roche, plus season two's Kimberley Locke, season six's Melinda Doolittle, season 13's Ben Briley and Season 12's Devin Velez. The concert will include a tribute to World AIDS Day and a special presentation of the AIDS quilts. General admission tickets are $20 and VIP tickets are $50. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com and at the Detroit Opera House box office.