The 25th Annual International AIDS Candlelight Memorial will take place on May 18 at Himmel Park in solidarity with memorials and events worldwide. The theme, “Never Give Up, Never Forget”, creates a hopeful outlook despite the alarming statistics. This will also be the 10th AIDS Candlelight Memorial in Tucson. SAAF’s AIDS Timeline will be displayed alongside locally crafted quilts. Individuals will be sharing the journey by means of music, song, dance and reflections. Seh Welch, Director of HIV/AIDS Services and co-founder of ACT-UP, will be Master of Ceremonies. The Memorial will start at 6 pm. The lighting of the candles will begin around 7:30 pm (dusk). Please bring a blanket and/or lawn chair.
The memorial is sponsored by Native Images, Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF), Tucson’s Human Relations Commission, Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network (TIHAN), The Volunteer Center of Southern AZ and Wingspan. The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, a program of the Global Health Council, is among the world’s oldest movements for HIV/AIDS remembrance, awareness and community action.
The Candlelight Memorial is more than just a memorial. This is an opportunity to educate about AIDS, advocate for policy change, foster partnerships and community dialogue, and improve skills for community mobilization. With 33 million people estimated to be infected worldwide and Tucson ranked 73rd in major US metro areas in the number of AIDS cases, the Candlelight serves as an important community intervention, breaking down social barriers, and giving hope to future generations. For more information, contact Courtney Jordan, ext 102 (520) 881-3300, E-mail: cjordan@voluntersoaz.org.
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