MEDIA ADVISORY

CONTACT:   Richard Heck, 740.593.0896

Latin American Cultural Night aims to raise funds to fight Chagas

OU-HCOM efforts addresses disease affecting 10 million people

WHO:          Ohio University community

WHAT:        Latin American Cultural Night featuring Latin music, Salsa dancing and traditional foods

WHERE:     Baker University Center room 240

WHEN:       Friday, April 6, 6:30 p.m.

WHY:          Donations benefit the Chagas disease community-based interventions in Ecuador.

                     Tickets can be purchased on the first floor of the Baker University Center Wednesday, April 4 through Friday, April 6. Tickets are $7 for adults, $10 for one adult and a child, and $3 for each additional child. Children under the age of two are free.

(ATHENS, Ohio – 4.3.12) A night of Latin music, Salsa dancing and traditional foods highlight an effort to raise funds for the fight against Chagas disease, a life-threatening condition that affects more than 10 million people, mostly in South America.

Chagas disease is caused by a protozoan parasite spread by insects, blood transfusions and congenial contact. Chagas disease is the focus of research by the Tropical Disease Institute at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Catholic University of Ecuador.

To learn more about OU-HCOM’s efforts to fight Chagas disease, visit the Tropical Disease Institute’s website.