25th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service
This year's 25th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, May 18, from 8pm - 9:30pm at Republic Square Park located at the southwest corner of the park. (4th and San Antonio Streets) This year's theme, selected & sponsored by the Global Health Council, the Voice of 
Global Health, is “Never Give Up, Never Forget.” www.globalhealth.org This theme reflects the crossroads in time this Memorial represents & reminding those that we should remember those lost, as well as never to give up the collective fight against this disease. This annual historic local event is in its 9th year and is held simultaneously along with more than 1,200 other communities in 119 countries to participate in this, the world’s largest & oldest grassroots event fighting HIV/AIDS since 1983. This Memorial is free and open to the public. Its purpose is to honor the memory of those lost or affected by AIDS, as well as raise awareness, educate & advocate for policy change, and to create community dialog, while breaking down social barriers, & giving hope to future generations. Participants are asked to bring their families, friends, co-workers and their candles to help remember. For more information, visit www.candlelightmemorial.org
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. Click here to visit their website. Limited commemorative buttons from this site will be on sale at the park on May 18th.
"I am very excited and truly honored that we are able to once again mobilize all aspects of our community to spread the word about HIV/AIDS & gain more awareness within our own backyard,” stated Eric A. Crabtree - Austin AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service Coordinator. Since the HIV virus that causes AIDS was discovered in 1981, more than 30+ million people around the world have died from AIDS and around 33+ million people are estimated to be infected with HIV worldwide. Please help and make a difference today. Those interested in participating in the 25th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service are asked to attend on May 18th at Republic Square Park. For more info, contact Eric A. Crabtree, email: ozparade@aol.com or 512 707.2384. Lastly, light a candle online at: www.candlelightmemorial.org/light_candle/index.php
