RED RIBBON GALA DINNER RETURNS 30-NOV FOR WORLD AIDS DAY
After a 2-Year Break, the Red Ribbon Gala is back for Shanghai Qingai
The Red Ribbon Gala, a signature fundraiser for World AIDS Day in Shanghai, is back for the fourth edition this coming November 30. Organized by Q-Events and ShanghaiPRIDE with the support of Venue Sponsor – Andaz Xintiandi, Shanghai and Platinum Sponsor – Bayer, the gala aims to bring individuals and corporations together to raise public awareness, promote education and prevention, and eradicate discrimination and stigmatization on HIV/AIDS.
In the past three fundraisers, the Red Ribbon Gala has raised a combined total of ¥200,000 for Shanghai AIDSLIFE Center and Shanghai Qingai Health Center. The gala this year will continue to support efforts of Shanghai Qingai Health Center.
Shanghai Qingai Health Center is a social organization with official government qualification established by youths who are dedicated to promoting safe-sex education, providing professional training and counseling on HIV/AIDS, and providing testing on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) for young adults. It aims to help the Shanghai youth community develop a positive life attitude, advocate a healthy lifestyle, and nurture a pleasant social environment. They also have full time staff giving consultation and round-the-clock emergency assistance.
The Statistics Today
Every nine in 10,000 Chinese people are living with HIV/AIDS. The number increased from 719,000 in 2012 to 1.04 million in 2018. More than 22,000 people in Shanghai are reported living with HIV/AIDS in 2018. About 30% of people infected with the virus in China are still spreading it without acknowledging their HIV status, falling far from the 90% diagnosis goal set by UNAIDS. The epidemic among youths has been worsening over the years. From 2011 to 2015, the number of 16 to 25-years-olds diagnosed with HIV grew by 35%. In 2017, over 3,000 college students tested positive.
According to the results of the 2018 survey conducted by Shanghai Qingai Health Center, some of those tested HIV+ misunderstand or are misinformed about HIV/AIDS due to lack of information, low self-esteem, sense of guilt, weak social support, or fear of dragging others along. Some have given up treatment and seeking social support, leading many patients to miss the best opportune time to take proper medication, thus suffering from depression, isolation, and even suicidal thoughts. In addition, some of those who are HIV+ face discrimination from their family members, resulting in insufficient family care. According to the survey, 33% of those living with HIV have severe lack of support from their families, 57% of families are moderately supportive, and only 10% of families give strong support.
Call for Action by the National Health Council
On July 31, 2019, at a press conference held by Health China Action Promotion Committee Office, Director Liu Zhongfu of the China National Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) responded to a reporter’s question about HIV/AIDS prevention and control among students. He said, “Adolescents are the future of our country. Under the leadership of the State Council and with the cooperation of the Health Committee and the Ministry of Education, HIV/AIDS prevention and education will work in schools through the establishment of an epidemic notification system and the implementation of the HIV/AIDS prevention education in universities. In universities, various forms of awareness and educational activities are being carried out. However, the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS among students is still an important task for us. We must also promote the change of behaviour and encourage the awareness of self-protection through individuals and various outlets within the community. Students must learn to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS.”
The First University Peers Anti-HIV/AIDS Project in Shanghai
The proceeds from the previous Red Ribbon Galas were used by Shanghai Qingai Health Center to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS prevention among adolescents and the community while advocating the elimination of discrimination caused by HIV/AIDS.
In April 2017, the center pioneered the Shanghai University Peer HIV/AIDS Prevention Project on HIV Detection. This project aimed to help college students in Shanghai broaden their awareness and understanding of HIV/AIDS prevention and provide fast, anonymous and one-on-one peer testing. The university also carried out the HIV/AIDS prevention creative campaign competition, supporting the college community along with the Red Cross during the World AIDS Day to carry out large-scale HIV/AIDS educational campaign. The project was recognized by various organizations and received support from Shanghai Charity Foundation, Shanghai Hua Ai Charity Foundation, and Shanghai Songjiang District Center for Disease Control and Prevention in 2018 and 2019.
Results – 53, 100, 900, 15, 14, 50,000
As of December 31, 2018, the University HIV/AIDS Project on HIV Testing covered a total of 53 campuses in 38 universities in Shanghai alone and trained more than 100 college professionals. During this period, more than 900 college students were provided with testing services and education on prevention, of which 15 students were tested positive and were accompanied to the CDC for further assistance.
Throughout 2017 and 2018, the HIV/AIDS prevention creative campaign competition was held in 14 campuses and reached more than 50,000 people in the program.
Shanghai Qingai Health Center hopes that through peer-to-peer education, college students will participate in the frontline HIV/AIDS prevention work, making college students not only beneficiaries, but also advocates on HIV/AIDS prevention.
Your Support Will Bring Change
Proceeds of the Red Ribbon Gala 2019 will support the efforts of Shanghai Qingai Health Center to improve the mental health and daily lives of those living with HIV and their families through services such as counselling, support groups, and daily assistance. The center is committed to changing the social stigma around HIV/AIDS while improving relationships and living environments of those affected.
The gala will include a formal western dinner with live entertainment, presentations, raffles, and auction throughout the evening. Guests will receive a souvenir set to commemorate the evening. An after-party will be held at Bleu Bar to extend the meaningful evening.
The Red Ribbon Gala invites individual and corporate partners, as well as sponsors from all industries who are devoted to social development and healthcare for youths, to join us on this special evening.
Dinner Details
Date: Saturday 30-Nov-2019 (Saturday)
Time: 6:00PM Cocktail Reception, 7:30PM Dinner
Address: Andaz Xintiandi, Shanghai – 88 Songshan Road (near Middle Huaihai Road), Huangpu District
Early bird (before 30-Sep): ¥1,080/seat, ¥9,800/table of ten
Regular: ¥1,280/seat, ¥11,800/table of ten
Reservations: http://www.huodongxing.com/event/2505535387212
Dress code: Cocktail/Business
Press Enquiries
Contact qevents@163.com or shanghaipride@gmail.com.
INVITATION TO RED RIBBON GALA 2019
PHOTO ALBUM
