Albany, NY (Dec. 6, 2012) – Each year during World AIDS Day, a select number of individuals from around the state of New York are honored for their extraordinary efforts in raising HIV/AIDS awareness within their community and among the general public. This year, TDN proudly announces that its founder and president Ariel Rojas has been officially honored with the New York State Health Commissioner’s Distinguished Service Award.

(read below the New York State Department of Health’s press release)

State Health Commissioner Nirav R. Shah, M.D., M.P.H., invited schoolchildren and New Yorkers of all ages to join in the observance of World AIDS Day at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany, December 4th through December 5th to show their support for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

As part of the observance, on Wednesday, December 5th, at 1:30 p.m., the State Health Department honored young people and community leaders from across the State for their leadership, compassion and extraordinary efforts in raising awareness of HIV/AIDS in schools or communities.

More than 195,000 New Yorkers have been diagnosed with AIDS and more than 128,000 individuals in the State are currently living with HIV/AIDS.

The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt was on display in the Plaza Convention Center from December 4th through December 5th.

This year’s Distinguished Service honorees are:

• The Stars of CHANGE Program at Hetrick Martin Institute:Alsha Diori, Erica Caldwell, Jairo Alcantara, Lance Montanez, Justin Gomez, Dreama Barden, Daree Brown, Jessica Barbosa, Julien Perkins, Adrenkia Booker, Monte Barronete, Giselle Bleuz, Christopher Quareles and Jonovia Chase.
• Real Talk:Jethro James, Loveasia Walters, Tamara Darnley, Fatima Gamble, Christian Golson and Teniyah Petersen. (Capital Region)
• Outreach to Homeless Youth:Johnny Guaylupo, Regnarian Jenkins, Anya Neal and Lameek Williams.
• Joseph Barnett,Southern Tier Region (Binghamton)
• New York City ACT Youth Network:Saad Abbasi, Caren Balram, Sara Birnel Henderson, Ty’Naisha Brehon, Dymond Cathcart, Sandra Chang, Akeema Duff, Shaqueilla Duff, Janae Harley, Brianna Knight, Jasmin Knight, Michele Luc, Joceline Ore, Shalonte Page Anderson, Tymell Parrish, Najaah Reid, Aaron Santiago, Kindra Syphertt, Kaelynn Traub, Gabriella Vera and Sky Whitney-Dutton.
• Kristie Fuller,Central New York Region (Philadelphia, Jefferson County)
• Ariel Rojas, New York City (Brooklyn)
• Catherine Clauss,Western New York Region (Rochester)
• The BASE Youth Leaders:Melissa Alvarez, Martha Aristy, Raymond Camacho, Elizabeth Duran, Antisugeiry Guadalupe, Xavier Perez, Jendelis Quinones, Elizabeth Rendon and Alexandria Silva. (New York City, East Harlem)
• Ben Barile, Hudson Valley Region (Dutchess County)
• Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health:Ruth C. Browne, Lakeisha Lubin, Brignel Camilien, Marilyn Fraser-White, Francis Agbetor, Mary E. Valmont and Edgar Mandeville.
• Youth Enrichment Services(YES) Community of Inclusion Summer Camp Program Family Group Leaders: Josh Terefe, Dillon Seebalack, Roshawna Cooper, Josue Infante, Gabriella Matheson, Victor Parajito, Karen Moody, Dianeldis Disla, Giovanni Delgado and Kevin Garcia.
• New York State Commission of Correction:Alice Haskins, Rodney L. Wright, Stephen W. Nicholas, Phyllis Harrison-Ross and Peggy Loffredo.
• Jeffrey Birnbaum, M.D., M.P.H. – Recipient, Linda Laubenstein HIV Clinical Excellence Award.

The two-day observance of World AIDS Day concluded at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, December 5th.

For additional information on World AIDS Day Expo activities, visit the Department of Health webpage at: www.health.ny.gov/WAD.