Rising to the challenge of helping to fight an epidemic in the African American community, Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed into law Saturday the Illinois African American HIV/AIDS Response Fund. Under this fund, $3 million will initially be spearheaded to focus on prevention and HIV/AIDS awareness in the African American communities that have for long been neglected by other organizations fighting the deadly disease. "HIV/AIDS is a devastating disease, especially within the African-American community," Blagojevich said in a news statement. "The Illinois African American HIV/AIDS Response Fund will be used to take vital steps in preventing the virus' transmission throughout the African-American community in Illinois. Only by working together can we stop the spread of this deadly virus." [continues 593 words]
What was intended to be a surprise birthday party for 10-year-old Siretha White ended with the little girl losing her life and becoming the second victim of a stray bullet piercing through the front window of an Englewood home in little more than a week. Siretha, who lived with her mother, Siretha Woods, in the 6800 block of South Marshfield Avenue , was attending a party at her aunt's home on the 2000 block of West 70th Place Saturday night, family members and police officials told the Defender Sunday. [continues 1304 words]
