World AIDS Day event held at AWC
World AIDS Day 2009 will honor the lives lost to the disease Tuesday at Arizona Western College.
The commemoration takes place at AWC's College Community Center Tuesday beginning at noon with a prayer vigil at 6 p.m.
The day will be marked by worldwide events remembering those who succumbed to the pandemic and renewing a commitment to finding improved treatments, according to Brandon Bennett, president of Back To The Basics Please (BTTBP), the nonprofit hosting the tribute.
"Yuma has never experienced an event like this before. HIV is not a minority issue, it is a public issue. So we're trying to make this event as public as possible with garnering as many public health organizations as possible."
Some of the organizations participating include Yuma County Public Health Services District, Yuma County AIDS Network, Sunset Community Health Center, Hospice of Yuma and Project GBH, as well as several other institutions.
BTTBP is an online support group serving the addiction recovery community since 2003, Bennett said. Its mission is to connect any individual in any part of the U.S. to local resources to meet their needs with quality services, he added.
Along with HIV prevention information and discussions, attendees will be addressed by state Sen. Amanda Aguirre, state Rep. Lynne Pancrazi and Mayor Larry Nelson. The prayer vigil will be led by Stacy Richards, pastor of the United Church of Christ.
Richards said he will commence the vigil with an invocation and then offer brief comments. He said there are many ways of contracting HIV and people need to take care to protect themselves.
"For those who do contract HIV, the rest of us need to be caring, compassionate and reach out with aid and comfort. I strongly urge people to come out and support the effort."
Bennett said World AIDS Day is important because it brings awareness to all those loved ones who have been affected by the pandemic. Moreover, it provides an opportunity to stress the need for prevention and offer support for those afflicted as well as those with family or friends who have been stricken, he added.
"HIV infection rates are on the rise in Arizona and in Yuma. We are seeing a climb in statistics throughout minority populations as well as mainstream society."
Bennett also pointed out HIV is prevalent all over the globe and just because some live in a rural area does not mean they are immune. Each individual can make a difference in the fight against the pandemic by educating themselves.
"People should be aware HIV is a terminal disease, even though various therapies are available. But HIV is developing into new strains that are more virulent than what exists now."
He said it would benefit everybody to know the consequences of risky behavior. And for those already infected with HIV, this event is good material to get started on how to maintain or improve health.
Bennett said despite progress made in treatment options, HIV remains a significant threat. It has claimed the lives of 25 million throughout the world while an estimated 33.2 million currently live with HIV and remains one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history.
Erica Messer, chair of the Yuma County AIDS Network, noted in a previous story in the Yuma Sun what is important is that free AIDS testing is available once a week from the Yuma County Public Health Services District.
Messer also said it is hoped HIV could be eradicated by 2015 and while World AIDS Day began as an awareness event, emphasis is now on public education because HIV is not a disease that discriminates.
The Yuma County AIDS Network holds its own vigil at Sanguinetti Park with refreshments and entertainment on Dec. 1 from 6 to 8 p.m.
William Roller can be reached at wroller@yuamsun.com or 539-6858.
