For Immediate Release: 25th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service
End Date: May 18, 2008 / Website - www.candlelightmemorial.org
More Info: Contact Eric A. Crabtree - Email: Ozparade@aol.com
(Austin, TX) Mark your calendars: 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. 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.
"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. Lastly, light a
candle online at: www.candlelightmemorial.org/light_candle/index.php
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