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 Thursday, December 1st at 5:30 p.m. The event will take place at Waukegan High School’s Trapp Auditorium, 2325 Brookside in Waukegan.
World AIDS Day is a global event held annually on December 1st to honor individuals living with HIV, the families, friends, caregivers and communities who support them, and those that have lost their battle against HIV. This year’s event will feature inspirational thoughts, performances from local artists and a candle-lighting ceremony to remember those we have lost. Doors open at 5 p.m. with the program beginning promptly at 5:30 p.m. A free dinner for all attendees will immediately follow. This free event is open to the public and everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
Stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with HIV. World AIDS Day is important as it reminds the community that HIV has not gone away and there is still a vital need to increase awareness, fight stigma and improve education. The local campaign this year is again focused on erasing the stigma often associated with HIV.