On December 1st Vida/SIDA joined communities across the world in commemorating World AIDS Day, a day to honor the lives of the 33 million people who have died from AIDS-related illnesses and the 90,000 others who continue to live with HIV/AIDS.

On Thursday, approximately 150 Humboldt Park residents, community leaders, and youth from 3 area high schools gathered at La Casita de Don Pedro for the Altar, and candle lighting ceremony to honor those who had passed away from AIDS related illnesses in the community. José Lopez, Executive Director of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, and State Representative Maria Antonia “Tony” Berrios spoke about the importance of supporting people with HIV and fighting homophobia within the Latino community. The candlelight vigil followed, as the group marched in a procession to Roberto Clemente High School holding candles, carrying signs that read “Fighting for a cure”, and calling out the names of those who passed away from AIDS-related illnesses.

Also, partaking in the World AIDS Day event was the With Me Comes a Cure [WMCC] program of Vida/SIDA. This HIV/STI Initiative, which is geared for youth between the ages of 13-24, is a collaborative effort between Vida/SIDA, the Community of Wellness, and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. For World AIDS Day, WMCC sponsored a t-shirt contest for students from Clemente, Pedro Albizu Campos, and Aspira high schools, the students where asked to submit designs with a message relating to World AIDS Day and HIV/AIDS.

Following the vigil everyone gathered At Roberto Clemente High School for the reception dinner. The program included a presentation from Dr. Jaime Martinez from the Core Center, about treatment barriers unique to HIV-positive immigrants. Zenaida Lopez, Associate Director of Vida/SIDA announced the winner of the T-shirt contest, followed by female drag performer Venus with a colorful performance.

Armando Esquivel from Pedro Albizu Campos was the winner of the T-shirt contest and the runner up went Luis Ramirez from Clemente high school. The winning design was printed on 150 t-shirts and to close the event, t-shirts where passed out to all those in attendance.

Although medical advances have improved life expectancy and quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS, the number of new infections continues to climb, especially in the Latino community, which accounts for one of every five new HIV infections. One in 36 Latino men and one in 106 Latina women will be diagnosed with HIV in their lifetime. Vida/SIDA and community partners are working to educate the community about HIV transmission, encourage safer sex practices that can prevent new cases, and help those who are positive access affordable and respectful care.

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