International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2007

International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2007

Light a candle for your community

On Sunday 20, May 2007, the Pacific Islands AIDS Foundation (PIAF) calls on Pacific Islanders to join thousands of communities around the world and light a candles to remember and care for our brothers and sisters who are living with HIV and AIDS, have died from AIDS, and who are caring for a loved one with HIV/AIDS.

The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial

The AIDS Candlelight Memorial is the largest international grassroots event for HIV/AIDS in the world. It started in 1983 as a way to honour and remember those who died of AIDS and to show solidarity with those living with the disease. This event now involves more than 4500 communities in more than 93 countries, including Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, French Polynesia and Cook Islands.

More than 42 million people are living with HIV and AIDS across the world. In the Pacific Islands more than 15,393 are living with the virus. This might seem like a small number compared to a global view, but the number of new HIV infections is steadily climbing. We can no longer ignore HIV in the Pacific Islands region.

The AIDS Candlelight Memorial is about remembering those who are living with HIV and AIDS. It is also about mobilizing people to care and support for HIV positive people.

“It is time we recognize the extreme discrimination towards people living with HIV and AIDS in the Pacific Islands. Whether it is physical abuse or community isolation, whatever its form, it is not acceptable,” says Maire Bopp Allport, CEO of Pacific Islands AIDS Foundation (PIAF).

HIV is an illness. No one should be discriminated against because they are sick. We do not discriminate against people for having cancer or diabetes. Why do we discriminate against those with HIV and AIDS? It is not fair that HIV positive people often lose their jobs, are kicked out of their homes, or have no access to proper health care.

“Preventing discrimination, providing care and support, and having access to antiretroviral treatment are the fundamental needs for HIV positive people,” says Bopp Allport.

The act of lighting a candle is a public statement that there is compassion in our communities. It sends a direct message of support.

We call on churches, schools, non-governmental organizations, youth groups, businesses, hospitals and individuals to get involved. Organize a candlelight memorial. Say a prayer, raise awareness around HIV, light a candle and spread the message.

Along with supporting the AIDS Candlelight Memorial, PIAF is undertaking a region-wide fundraising project to raise money for the ‘Hardship Grant’ – PIAF’s grant that provides emergency assistance to HIV positive people facing extreme hardship.

Founded in 2003 through a PIAF fundraiser in Fiji, the Hardship Grant has spent thousands of dollars providing urgent assistance to those with the greatest need. The Hardship Grant has provided glasses, a set of false teeth, emergency food and shelter, school fees, assistance in building a house for a single mother and child, and even funds to provide emergency access to 6 months of antiretroviral treatment for 20 HIV positive Fijians before this treatment was available in Fiji.

In an effort to rebuild the grant, PIAF is organizing a region-wide fundraiser in May 2007. Any assistance in hosting a fundraising effort or any donations for the Hardship Grant is welcome. Help us to be there for you!

ENDS

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