The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center, as a member of the Lake County Stands Against Stigma Coalition, is sponsoring a free community event to commemorate World AIDS Day on Saturday, December 1. The event will be held from noon to 2:00 p.m. at the Urban Edge Art Gallery, 220 W. Clayton Street, Waukegan.

This year’s event is free and open to the public, and will feature interactive art exhibits, a candle-lighting ceremony, and information on the Illinois Getting to Zero initiative, which aims to see zero new HIV infections in Illinois and zero people living with HIV who are not on treatment by 2030. All are encouraged to attend to learn about the AIDS epidemic, remember those who have lost their lives to the disease, and “Rock the Ribbon” – wear a red ribbon to show your support and to stand against HIV stigma and discrimination.

“We have the power to make new HIV infections a thing of the past,” said Mark Pfister, Health Department Executive Director. “We invite our residents to join in this fight. By coming together, we can dismantle HIV stigma and break down barriers to diagnosis and treatment for people living with HIV.”

For more information about the event, please call the Health Department’s Need2Know program at (847) 377-8450. Download a printable 11x17 poster here. Learn more about HIV services available in Lake County on our Need2Know page.

About Lake County Stands Against Stigma

The Lake County Stands Against Stigma Coalition is a collaboration of community members including the Health Department, Catholic Charities of Lake County, Alexian Brothers Housing and Health Alliance’s The Harbor, the Office of State Representative Rita Mayfield, the office of Lake County State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim, Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center and community volunteers. The Coalition members work together for capacity building, advocacy, and the elimination of HIV-related stigma.