LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
World AIDS Day 2000 |
by Murray Archibald |
Friday, Dec. 1 is World AIDS Day 2000. This yearthe thirteenth World AIDS Day communities all across the world will be observing the day in their own unique ways. In the Rehoboth area, the observance will again center around a Candlelight Walk followed by a Service of Remembrance and Hope at Epworth United Methodist Church on Baltimore Avenue in Rehoboth. Each year, the American Association for World Health, which is the U.S. Committee for the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization, coordinates efforts for World AIDS Day in the United States. This year's theme is "All Men Make a Difference," with an emphasis on men because men represent the majority of people living with HIV/ AIDS; men's behavior often puts their sexual partners at risk; unprotected sex endangers men's male and female sex partners; and men often do not give adequate attention to their own health. For our local observance of World AIDS Day, we have opted to change the theme to "All PeopleMake a Difference," because we don't want it to sound like we are reaching out to only one part of the population. We will continue to emphasize the importance men play in the epidemic, but it's not our only focus. Last year saw a higher total of deaths from HIV/AIDS than any year since the beginning of the epidemic, despite new treatments which are reducing deaths in developed countries. Of the people now infected with HIV, 95% live in the developing world. Globally, an estimated 15,000 new HIV infections occur every day. In sub-Saharan Africa 90% of reported AIDS cases are attributed to heterosexual transmission. In North America and Western Europe, previous trends toward safer sexual behavior among gay populations are being reversed; experts speculate this may be because of complacency due to drug therapies. The purpose of World AIDS Day is to focus attention on HIV/AIDS, and to remind everyone that it is a global epidemic that destabilizes the world in which we live it destroys lives, it rips families apart, it devastates countries. World AIDS Day gives us a chance to remember those who have died, it gives courage and support to those living with AIDS, it opens our eyes to parts of the world where treatment is unavailable or unaffordable, if forces us to face what, sometimes, we would rather not see. I hope to see everyone turn out at the bandstand on December 1, it's an important time for us to come together as we mourn those who are gone, as we celebrate those who are living, as we connect with the rest of the world around us. As part of this year's service we will again be reading the names of those in our community who have died. It's a powerful moment, a painful moment for some, but it gives us the chance to remember and to honor our missing friends and familyand to remind us not to take chances with our lives, or the lives of those around us. World AIDS Day activities in Rehoboth, organized by Sussex County AIDS Comm. and CAMP Rehoboth, begin with a gathering at the bandstand at 6 p.m., a Candlelight Walk at 6:30 p.m, the Service of Remem-brance and Hope at Epworth at 7 p.m., followed immediately by a light supper by the Blue Moon and Subway. PLActive will sponsor a survivors dance starting at 8 p.m. at Cloud 9. For information or to add a name to the list being read at the service, call SCAC at 302-644-1090, or CAMP, 302-227-5620. World AIDS Day 2000 Listing of Local Events RINGING OF THE BELLS 2 p.m. (EST) Church bells across the nation will ring 20 times, remembering the 20 years of the epidemic. THE GATHERING 6 p.m. Gather at the Rehoboth Bandstand for a short program prior to the Candlelight Walk. CANDLELIGHT WALK 6:30 p.m. With candles bearing the names of those who have died, the walk goes up Rehoboth Avenue to Second Street then right onto Baltimore Avenue, ending at Epworth United Methodist Church. SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE & HOPE 7 p.m. Epworth United Methodist Church, 20 Baltimore Avenue. Includes THE READING OF THE NAMES. RECEPTION Immediately following the service, a light supper will be provided by the Blue Moon Restaurant and Subway-Downtown Rehoboth, in the Fellowship Hall at Epworth. SURVIVOR'S DANCE 8 p.m.- til closing, Sponsored by PLActive at Cloud 9 Restaurant, 234 Rehoboth Avenue. For more information, please contact SCAC at 302-644-1090, or CAMP Rehoboth at 302-227-5620. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 10, No. 15, Nov. 22, 2000. |