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MEDIA ADVISORY: MU Hosts 2015 World AIDS Day Events featuring Olympian Greg Louganis

December 1st, 2015

Story Contact: Jeff Sossamon, 573-882-3346, sossamonj@missouri.edu

By Sheena Rice

WHAT:  The Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center (BLSC) at the University of Missouri will host World AIDS Day events to raise awareness and show support for people living with HIV. Events will include free posters, red ribbons and red bracelets, which will be available throughout the day. Free HIV testing will also be available. From Nov. 16 to Dec. 6, sections of the AIDS Memorial Quilt are on display in the BLSC and Jesse Hall.

WHO: Events include a panel discussion, “A Day in the Life of HIV.” Panelists featured include:

  • Greg Louganis, U.S. gold medal Olympian
  • Sean Olmstead, coordinator, MU LGBTQ Resource Center
  • William Salzer, professor of clinical medicine and physician, MU Heath Care Internal Medicine
  • Donald Burke, professor of molecular microbiology and Immunology and BLSC investigator
  • Marc Johnson, associate professor of molecular microbiology and immunology and BLSC investigator
  • Cale Mitchell, Regional AIDS Interfaith Network (RAIN)
  • Dustin Hampton, HIV health educator, Columbia/Boone County Department of Health and Human Services

Later that evening, Greg Louganis, U.S. Olympic diver and LGBT-rights activist, will share his private struggles growing up, his exciting moments as an Olympic champion and his battle with being HIV positive.

WHEN:  Tuesday, Dec. 1

  •   12 – 1:30 p.m. Panel discussion: “A Day in the Life of HIV”
  •   7 – 8:00 p.m. Main Event – Louganis lecture, “Don’t Let HIV Write Your Story” 

WHERE:  MU Campus

  • Panel discussion: Monsanto Auditorium, BLSC
  • Louganis lecture: Jesse Auditorium, Jesse Hall

NOTE:   This event is free and open to the public. A book signing will follow the evening lecture. For more information visit http://bondlsc.missouri.edu/events/

Louganis will be available to media from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at the BLSC, room 171. Reporters wishing to attend should contact Jeff Sossamon at (573) 882-3346 or sossamonj@missouri.edu.

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