The 16th Annual AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service

Austin/Central Texas: The 16th Annual AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service Features "Supporting the Future: You're Not Invincible" This is Austin / Central Texas 16th Event and The International's 32nd. Sunday, 5/17/15 - 7pm - 8:30pm - Bethell Hall Inside St. David's Episcopal Church located at: 301 E. 8th Street. - Austin,Texas. 78701. Garage Parking Available between 7th and 8th Streets Coming One Way on Trinity Street, Fee is $7.00 to Park or Use Surrounding Garages or Streets, Thanks. www.stdave.org/visiting/directions/ Highlights Include Speakers, Music, Prayer, Free HIV Confidential Testing - Weather Permitting, Remembrances, Resource Literature, Education, Community Awareness, Free Condoms, Bottle Water as well as Free Candles & AIDS Ribbons to All - While Supplies Last. This event is free and open to the pubic. Weather Permitting: Free and Confidential HIV Testing is available for all from 4pm to 9:30pm both Before and After the Service located one block east of the Park @ 4th and Lavaca Streets. Testing is provided by The City of Austin HIV Prevention Program. Area HIV/AIDS Service Provider Representatives Available Immediately For You Needs Right After The Service. Speakers at this year's Service to include: Mr. C. Andrew Martin, Dr. David Barstow, Austin City Council Member Ms. Leslie Pool, Austin City Mayor Mr. Steve Adler, Texas House of Representative Mr. Elliott Naishtat, Mr. Omar Lopez, Ms. Edie Wall Muehlberger and Mr. Benjamin Walker. Scheduled entertainment will include: ARCOS Dance, Brett Bachus and Hedda Layne. (See separate posts below on each Speaker and Entertainer for more info.) Austin/Central Texas is proud to boost the claim of hosting the oldest & continuous AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service Event in the State of Texas nd is always held on the 3rd Sunday in May. The 17th Annual AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, May 15, 2016. The World AIDS Day Service (WAD) is on Tuesday, December 1st, 2015. Please Check The Care Communities for Information on WAD & Save the Above Dates. ************************************************************* PERMANENT HIV/AIDS MEMORIAL FOR AUSTIN The AIDS Candlelight Committee will be announcing at this year's Service about an HIV/AIDS Memorial Fund Collection for some type of Permanent HIV/AIDS Memorial honoring those whom passed and those living with HIV to be located somewhere in Austin. This memorial may be a sculpture, an AIDS Ribbon, a bench, a mural, a giant candle, a tree or group of trees, building, whatever. It will need money to create, utilize, install, promote and maybe maintain as well. We are starting this year with donations at this year's Candlelight and hope to have this memorial unveiled on or before our 20th Annual AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service in May, 2019. Special thanks to our AIDS Candlelight Keynote Speaker & Author, Mr. C. Andrew Martin whose memoir book, Reflections of a Loving Partner: Care Giving at the End of Life, will be made available at the Service for only $15 with 50% of the book proceeds sold at the Service helping to spearhead our donation fund-raising towards our local HIV/AIDS Memorial. (http://candrewmartin.com/) Please look for The Austin / Central Texas HIV/AIDS Permanent Memorial Fund Collection Box at our Resource & Information Table located at the Park. If you would like to offer suggestions or be a part of The Permanent HIV/AIDS Memorial Commitee, please email ozparade@aol.com Thank you in advance for donations and support ************************************************************* THEME & NATIONAL / LOCAL STATISTICS: The theme ‘Supporting the Future: You're Not Invincible," calls on people from communities around the world to unite and demand a sustainable AIDS response. Currently, we are not meeting the needs of people living with HIV, with many facing lack of access to treatment, care and support and others facing discrimination & criminalization. Today's generation are also at risk due to complacency about medicines making one live longer. By 2015, half of all people with HIV will be 50 or older," says Brad Hare, MD, director of the HIV/AIDS clinic at San Francisco General Hospital. "This graying of the HIV population shows how well today’s HIV treatments can work." However, new HIV infections are still on the rise. USA: According to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention, (CDC) Youth aged 13 to 24 account for an estimated 26% of all new HIV infections in the United States in 2010. Most new HIV infections among youth occur among gay and bisexual males; there was a 22% increase in estimated new infections in this group from 2008 to 2010 and Almost 60% of youth with HIV in the United States do not know they are infected. Austin,Texas: According to The City of Austin HIV Prevention Program, 24% of newly diagnoses were among the youth (13-24) and 5,254 people living with HIV in Austin (as of 2013) 15% of People Living With HIV (PLWH) are female, 85% of PLWH are male and 225 newly diagnosed Men who have Sex with Men (MSMs) in 2013, with 80% of them linked to local care within 3 months. According to the Austin PrEP Access Project, (APAP) Austin's HIV prevention strategies are failing. Austin has the worst infection rate of any major urban area in Texas. The time to get involved is now. We all must make contributions to stop the consequences of HIV and AIDS. The average cost of treating HIV after infection is between $200,000 and $300,000.. The AIDS response needs to be fully inclusive. Austin & Central Texas has spearheaded the lead using the generic international theme of "Supporting the Future, " by adding these words right after: You're Not Invincible," in hopes that both young and old sit up & take notice, and action today. This annual AIDS Candlelight Memorial is produced and hosted by Austin Area HIV/AIDS Services Organizations and individuals and by The Global Network of People Living with HIV. (GNP+) In addition, grateful longtime support from The City of Austin, Travis County and the State of Texas. and by people like you who care. - Thank You. ************************************************************* AIDS CANDLELIGHT ANGEL APPRECIATION - Our Heartfelt Appreciation for Our Below Candle Angels Giving Support, Time, Talent & Donations - Thank You So Much! The State of Texas and Texas House of Representative Mr. Elliott Naishtat, and Travis County. The City of Austin with Austin Mayor Mr. Steve Adler. Austin City Council Member Leslie Pool, and City Employees: Mrs. Gail Chavez & Ms. Julie Anna Cossette and the staff of Austin City Hall as well as The Austin Parks and Recreation Department, including Mr. Joe Diaz, Mr. Manuel Soza and Mr. Richard Mayberry. Candlelight Speakers: Mr. C Andrew Martin, Dr. David Barstow, Mr. Omar Lopez, Mr. Benjamin Walker, Ms. Edie Wall Muehlberger and Mr. Eric. A. Crabtree. Rev. Bill Young - Invocation and Mr. Roger Temme - Benediction Passed Love Ones Readers - Mr. David Thompson and Stacey Luera Ms. Katherine Cantrell & staff for coordinating Free HIV Testing through The City of Austin HIV Prevention Program The Austin / Central Texas Area HIV/AIDS Service Providers & The AIDS Candlelight Committee. Performing Artists Mr. Brett Bachus, Ms. Hedda Layne, Mr. Troy Lee, and ARCOS Dance with Ms. Erica Gionfriddo, Mr. Curtis Uhlemann and Ms. Katie Hopkins. Bethell Hall & St. David's Episcopal Church. Mr. Roger Temme, Ms. Ester Camacho & The Care Communities - AIDS Quillts & Ribbons, & Candle Labeling Mr. Issac Sanchez & Mr. Alan Stewart - Midtowne Spa Austin - Free Bottle of Water and Condoms. DJ Todd Kinney - Sound & Coordination of Equipment Mr. Gregory Goldston - Keeper of the AIDS Ribbon & General Support. The Great Outdoors - Plants & Flowers Around Stage Austin Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (AGLCC) Non-Profit Liaison Ms. Shannon Mantrom Mr. David Sandoval / Post Net - Far West - Theme Banner Mr. Kyle Johnson & Bumper Active - Candle Labels Mr. Fritz Blaw / Motorblade Postering - Candlelight Poster Flyers Mr. Tom Marek / Minuteman Press of Austin - Poster Flyers, Cards, Theme Poster. Mr Carlos Diaz - Flyer Distribution to the area Gay/Lesbian Bars Ms. Liza Hinojosa & Ms. Velda Clinton & AIDS Services of Austin Staff & Volunteers - Home AIDS Candlelight Kits. Mr. Lev Baesh - Book Management - Reflections of a Loving Partner: Care Giving at the End of Life. Mr. Troy Lee Warden - Hedda Layne Band These 7 Area HIV/AIDS Service Providers - Candlelight Flyers Printing: AIDS Service of Austin (ASA) Austin Area Comprehensive HIV Planning Council Austin/Travis County Integral Health & Human Services Community AIDS, Resources & Education (C.A.R.E.) The Care Communities Project Transitions The Q Austn. The Wright House Wellness Center Mr. Marcus Cruz Sanchez - ASA/The Q Austin - AIDS Candlelight Flyer & Program Ms. Anne Child / RESULTS - Media Relations. All Area HIV/AIDS Service Providers: AIDS Service of Austin (ASA) Austin Area Comprehensive HIV Planning Council Austin PrEP Access Project A Texas Statewide Queer People of Color Orgainization, (ALLGO) Austin/Travis County Integral Health & Human Services Community AIDS, Resources & Education (C.A.R.E.) The Care Communities CommUnity Care - Austin, Del Valle, Oak Hill & Pflugerville Community Action, Inc., of Central Texas EmpactAfrica.org Friends of The David Powell Clinic, Inc. The City of Austin HIV Prevention Program The David Powell Health Clinic The Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+) The Jack Sansing Dental Clinic The Octopus Club. One.org Out Youth Austin Private & Public Doctors, Nurses & Health Institutions. Project Transitions Q Austin RESULTS Rural AIDS Services Program The City of Austin Health Department. Waterloo Counseling Center The Wright House Wellness Center (WHWC) Women Rising Project (WRP) Our Fantastic Volunteers Making this AIDS Candlelight Service a Success Other Agencies & Individuals: MCC Austin @ Freedom Oaks, Mr. Chase Martin & therepubliq.com, Mr. David Thompson and Mr. Felipe Campos. ....As Well as by Many Other Caring Individuals, Organizations & All Attending Tonight - Thank You Everyone! ************************************************************* FREE YEAR ROUND HIV TESTING OPPORTUNTIES Stop the Stigma! - Know And Disclose Your Status to both Yourself and Your Partner. Let's Stop HIV Today: AIDS Services of Austin - 7215 Cameron Rd - 512-458-8378 - Mondays 3pm-7pm & Wednesdays,1pm to 7pm The Q Austin - 2906 Medical Arts - 512-420-8557 - Mondays 3pm-7pm, Tuesdays 3pm-7pm, Fridays 1pm to 5pm Austin/Travis County Integral Care - Community AIDS Resources & Education (C.A.R.E.) 512-804-3650 - Walk-ins Monday & Wednesday - 8:30am - 11am or call to schedule an appt. The City of Austin HIV Prevention Program - 15 Waller Street & various locations - 512-972-5580 - Tues & Thursdays - 8:30am - 11am & 1pm to 3:30pm The Wright House Wellness Center - 8101 Cameron Rd., Ste. 105 - Call 512-236-8901 - HIV Testing by Appt. Out Youth Austin - 909 E. 49 1/2 Street - Call 512-419-1233 - HIV Testing to anyone ages 14 to 23 years old - 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM, Every Monday ************************************************************* MORE INFORMATION: AIDS Candlelight Coordinator - ozparade@aol.com www.candlelightmemorial.org www.gnpplus.net www.AIDS.org www.EmpactAfrica.org www.austinprepaccessproject.com http://candrewmartin.com One may also email your local Area HIV/AIDS Community Service Organization Provider for further details or on how you may get answers, assistance or even volunteer your services, time, or help financially, for all those living with this chronic illness. Information on the International Candlelight History, Advocacy, Mission, Latest News, Resources, etc. may be found at: www.candlelightmemorial.org. Information / pics on last year's Candlelight at: www.facebook.com/Austin15thAnnualAIDSCandlelightMemorialService