AIDS Candlelight Memorial - Sunday, May 18, 2008

Date:        Sunday, May 18, 2008
Time:       8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location:   Republic Square Park

Austin will host its 9th year participation of this event on May 18, 2008, when millions of individuals in more than 4,500 Communities in 93 countries will also participate in the world's largest and oldest annual grassroots HIV/AIDS event. The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is designed to honor the memory of those lost to HIV/AIDS, show support for those living with HIV/AIDS, raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, and mobilize community involvement in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The Global Heath Council, (GHC), the Voice of Global Health, (www.globalhealth.org) has selected this year's theme for the 25th International Candlelight Memorial Service as: "Never Give Up, Never Forget," symbolizing the crossroads in the epidemic this memorial represents. The local Austin service will host speakers, prayer, music, poems, songs, and candles with loved ones with both new and old friends. This memorial service will honor the memory of those lost to HIV/AIDS. Since HIV, the virus that causes AIDS was discovered in 1981, more than 20+ million people around the world have died from AIDS and some 40+ million are estimated to be infected today.

Austin's own service will feature a variety of state, civic & local speakers. An over-whelming presence will be in attendance from the Texas House State of Representatives to include Dawnna Dukes-District 46, Donna Howard-District 48, Eddie Rodriguez-District 51, Mark Strama-District 50 & Valinda Bolton-District 47. The State Representatives will help officiate, give remarks and light the first candles. Austin Mayor Will Wynn's Representative, Rich Bailey, will also be on hand to read a proclamation from the city. In addition, local artists; Da Big Daddy G., Brett Bachus, Daniel Brookshire, and Diane Benjamin will perform musical & vocal tributes. Additional prayers, poems, stats, remembrances, literature and declarations will also be presented. Representatives of the different HIV/AIDS Organizations will read the first names of love ones who have been lost during the past year. In addition, a "Wall of Remembrance" will be on display at the service to memorialize those individuals lost. Participants are encouraged to remember those at the "Wall" for their love ones with names, pictures and memorabilia. This year's Memorial in Texas, as of press time, is slated in the cities of Austin, El Paso and San Antonio. Next years Memorial is on Sunday, May 17, 2009.

The sponsors of the Memorial are as diverse as our city and state. They are as follows as of press time: Adam4Adam.com, AIDS Service of Austin (ASA), Ambush Magazine, Austin Area Comprehensive HIV Planning Council, Austin Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (AGLCC), Austin Travis County MHMR & CARE / Journey Programs, and The Care Communities. Others include The City of Austin, The Cockpit, The David Powell Health Clinic, Defy Gravity Appeal, The Global Health Council, Human Rights Commission, Huston-Tillotson University, The Jack Sansing Dental Clinic, Manhunt.net, and The Metropolitan Community Church at Freedom Oaks (MCC). Additional are: MotorBlade.com, Music Makers Rental, Oilcan Harry's, ONE Campaign, Out Youth Austin, Project Transitions, RESULTS, Rural AIDS Services Program, Shout Magazine, Sister Cities
International, & The State of Texas. More are The Travis County Health & Human HIV/AIDS Services, The United Court of Austin (UCA), Waterloo Counseling Center, Women's Rising Project, & The Wright House Wellness Center (WHWC) as well as many individuals. Entrepreneur Mark Allen has created T-shirt designs to help raise awareness of this Memorial. His shop is hosted by Cafepress, the most reputable seller of T-shirts online. All profits from the design are donated in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Please visit the website at: www.cafepress.com/thespankdmonkey/2821755. Limited commemorative buttons from this site will be on sale at the park on May 18th.

Austin's AIDS Memorial Candlelight Coordinator Eric A. Crabtree @ ozparade@aol.com