Phoenix residents celebrate World AIDS Day with vigil and march.(Photo: Allie Bice / The Republic)
"The time to act is now"wasthe national theme for 2015 World AIDS Day.
Phoenix residents joinedtogether in the spirit of that theme and to recognize World AIDS Day, annuallyobserved on Dec. 1,with acandlelight vigil and a march Tuesdayevening.
Hundreds gathered at the Phoenix Pride LGBT Center in downtown Phoenixready to march andrecognize thoseliving with HIV/AIDS and thosewhohave lost the battle against the disease.The Phoenix AIDS Candlelight Vigil is a collaboration of HIV community members and agencies and heldannually on World AIDS Day.
Originating in 1988, World AIDS Day became the first-everday commemorating health globally, according to the Phoenix AIDS Candlelight Vigil website.Theday is "an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died."
Nicole Stanton expressing her support Tuesday night for HIV/AIDS research.(Photo: Allie Bice/The Republic)
The Rev. James Pennington,senior minister at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Phoenix, opened the vigil talking about the importance of not justhonoring thelives lost tothe disease.
"For me, this day is also a day to really celebrate," Pennington said. "It"s a day to celebrate all of you who are resilient, who have survived, who have fought the good fight and are thriving."
Nicole Stanton, wife of Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, alsospoke at the vigil in honor of her brother, whodied of AIDS in1991.
"World AIDS Day is actually significant to me alwaysbecause Thanksgiving Day in 1991 was the last time that I saw my brother alive," she said. "He was in a hospital suffering from complications with AIDS.I remember the last thing he ate, I remember the last thing he said to me, and I never want to see anyone die from that diseasethat I knowagain."
After lighting their candles, participantsmarched about a half-mile to the Parsons Center for Health and Wellness, where the vigil concluded.
Aunt Rita"s Foundation, a local non-profit that advocates HIV awareness and prevention, took part in hostingthe vigil and willhosta week of World AIDS Dayevents for the Phoenix community.
On Dec. 5, the non-profit organization willhosta RED Brunch at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa in Scottsdale.Individual tickets to the brunch cost $100 and tickets for a table cost $1,000. The brunch serves as a fundraiser for Aunt Rita"s Foundation and will go to fund services and programs in support ofthe HIV/AIDS community.
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Source: http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/breaking/2015/12/01/phoenix-honors-world-aids-day-vigil-march/76636420/
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