Candlelight Vigil, Healing Service Planned For World Aids Day, Dec. 1 (posted: 11/1/11)

Source: Volusia County Health Department
Contact: Stefany Strong, Public Information Officer

 

DAYTONA BEACH – Residents are invited to observe World AIDS Day and support those affected by HIV/AIDS at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 1014 N. Halifax Ave., Daytona Beach.

The evening will begin at the Grotto followed by a candlelight walk to Colin’s Park, where Pastor Pete Keirstead from A Family Church will lead a remembrance service for those who have lost their battle with HIV/AIDS. An interfaith prayer and healing service will begin in the church at 7 p.m., followed by a reception in the chapel.

“Please join us on this day of observance, memory and healing as we show support for those affected by AIDS,” said Dr. Bonnie Sorensen, director of the Volusia County Health Department. “This is also an opportunity to raise awareness about the impact of AIDS not only in Volusia and Flagler counties, but throughout the United States and around the globe.”

The World Health Organization established the first World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, 1988. Since then, community leaders across the world have used it to raise awareness, commemorate those who have died, and celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention services. The theme for this year's observance is "Getting to Zero" Zero New HIV Infections. Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS Related Deaths.

An estimated 33.3 million people, including 1 million Americans, are living with HIV. More than 1,400 people are living with HIV/AIDS in Volusia and Flagler counties.

HIV/AIDS FACTS

• Florida ranks third in the number of adult AIDS cases nationally.
• It is estimated that over 100,000 Floridians are living with HIV.
• In 2009, African-Americans made up 38 percent of HIV cases and 41 percent of AIDS case in Volusia and Flagler counties despite representing 9 percent of the population.
• The AIDS case rate is 20 times higher among black females than white females in Volusia and Flagler counties.
• Men who have sex with men made up more than 57 percent of the adult HIV cases reported in 2009 and 2010 in Volusia and Flagler counties.

The Volusia County Health Department provides a number of programs and services to care for people living with HIV/AIDS who may be unable to afford care and counseling.

For more information about the health department’s HIV/AIDS programs/services, please call 386-274-0634 or visit www.volusiahealth.com.

This event is being organized by the local World AIDS Week committee and the interfaith religious community of greater Daytona Beach. A number of events are planned during the week to recognize World AIDS Day.

For more information about World AIDS Day events, please visit www.worldaidsweekdaytona.com or www.wemakethechange.com.
 

WORLD AIDS DAY PARTICIPANTS

A Family Church Allen Chapel, AME Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Baha’i of Volusia County Basilica of St. Paul Bethel Baptist Church, New Smyrna Beach Bethune-Cookman University Celebration Christian Church Devine Deliverance Ministries Diggs Miracle Network First Christian Church of Daytona Beach First Presbyterian Church Flamingo Florist and Gifts Greater Friendship Baptist Church Halifax Urban Ministries Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida Hindu Cultural Association of Daytona Beach Holy Dormition Byzantine Catholic Church Hope Fellowship Joel Lawrence Foundation, Inc. Luke 4:18 Ministries

Ministries for Christ Outreach Inc. New Church Family New Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church New St. James Missionary Baptist Church One Daytona Ormond Beach Florist Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church Outreach Community Care Network Partnership for Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Planning Positive Health Care/AIDS Health Foundation Springhill Neighborhood Association St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Stewart-Marchman-Act Behavioral Health Care Tubman King Community Church Unitarian Universalist Society of the Daytona Beach Area VITAS Hospice of Volusia and Flagler Counties Volusia County Health Department Walgreens Pharmacy