Nationally renowned activist will share her story about living with AIDS

Miami, FL – Miami Dade College (MDC) will host two free community events in recognition of World AIDS Day on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010 at 11:15 a.m. at the Homestead Campus, and at 3 p.m. at Miami International Airport (MIA). Nationally renowned activist and motivational speaker Hydeia Broadbent will speak to attendees about living with AIDS and her struggle to survive.

Additionally, there will be free STD testing on-site provided by the Miami-Dade County Health Department; HIV testing with results within 20 minutes will be offered by medical mobile unit Rapid Testing from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Homestead Campus location only. Also, Sembrando Flores Compassionate Care Ministries, a faith-based social service organization based in Homestead, will deliver a presentation about the prevalence of HIV/AIDS as well as other STD’s in the community. Both events are free and open to the public.

“The Homestead Campus is pleased to offer important information on HIV/AIDS and other STD's, and to provide potentially life-saving testing to our students and community,” said Dr. Jeanne F. Jacobs, president of MDC’s Homestead Campus. “We are very pleased to have Ms. Broadbent share her inspirational story and to educate our students and the community about strategies for combatting the disease.”

Expected to live only until the age of five, Broadbent, who is now 26, has maintained a courageous stance in speaking publicly about the virus. She has delivered keynote speeches at the International AIDS Conference in Toronto, the Essence Music Festival, Bishop T.D. Jakes’ AIDS Rally, and the BET Leading Women’s Defined Summit in Washington, D.C. Broadbent was adopted as an infant and though her HIV condition was congenital, she was not diagnosed as HIV-positive with advancement to AIDS until age three. The prognosis was that she would not live past the age of five and as a result became the test baby for HIV/AIDS medications, which are currently on the market today.

WHAT:      World AIDS Day Events at Miami Dade College

WHEN:       Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010

WHERE:     11:15 a.m.
               MDC Homestead Campus
               500, College Terrace, Room F222

               3 p.m.
               MDC Homestead Campus at Miami International Airport
               2460 N.W. 66^th  Ave., Bldg. 701, Miami, 33122

COST:       Free

For more information about World AIDS Day at MDC, contact Nicole Bryant at 305-237-5223.