WORLD AIDS DAY, DEC. 1, TO BE MARKED BY THE LIGHTING
OF 1,2OO RED LUMINARIES ACROSS MAINE
posted on 11/29/2007

Each luminary represents one person in Maine living with HIV, but according to sponsor organization the Maine AIDS Alliance, those are just the cases known

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NOVEMBER 26, 2007

AUGUSTA — The Maine AIDS Alliance (MAA) announced today that it will mark World AIDS Day on Dec. 1 with regional events that will include the lighting of 1,200 red luminaries. Each luminary represents one person in Maine living with HIV.

The theme of World AIDS Day 2007 is "Leadership," and the Maine AIDS Alliance has pledged to lead the fight against AIDS with advocacy for those living with HIV, and to protect vital funding needed for both advocacy and prevention efforts.

"While we continue to make great strides in combating HIV through cutting edge medication throughout the world, we need vital prevention and care resources that meet the needs of Mainers who are affected by HIV, or who are at risk for contracting the virus," said Andrew Bossie, executive director of the Maine AIDS Alliance.

"The 1,200 people we recognize this weekend are just a portion of those living with HIV in Maine. There are many more whose status we don't know – and neither do they - so we must remain vigilant in our efforts to raise awareness in our community about prevention, and reach out to leaders to continue to fund programs for all prevention and care efforts."

According to Bossie, funding for HIV programs in Maine continues to remain flat as the number of people infected and living with HIV continues to rise. For instance, the number of diagnosed HIV cases in Maine made an alarming 20% jump between 2001 and 2006, yet funding for key programs are threatened with suspension altogether, year in and year out.

Today, Gov. John Baldacci praised the work of MAA and encouraged vigilance in the fight against AIDS.

"I commend the work of Maine AIDS Action for their continued commitment to prevention education, working for affordable treatment, searching for a cure and protecting those living with the disease from discrimination," said Baldacci. "I join with them and other concerned people in our state to increase awareness and education so that future cases can be prevented."

Baldacci also issued a Proclamation for World AIDS Day which is available upon request.

Attached is a schedule for luminary events – media is encourage to attend.

For more information, contact Andrew Bossie, 207-621-2924 or 207-899-9983, andrew.bossie@gmail.com www.maineaidsalliance.org

For additional information on regional programs surrounding the luminary lighting, please contact the sponsoring organization detailed below. 

The Maine AIDS Alliance was founded in 1988 as an alliance of community-based AIDS organizations to provide a forum for the exchange of support, resources and technical skills for members.. MAA drafted legislation, planned summits, and helped create the AIDS service community that is active today. The first membership group consisted of fourteen AIDS service organizations and task forces from around the state. Today, many of the same organizations, some under different names, comprise MAA's ten member organizations.

The mission of the Maine AIDS Alliance is to advocate for, support, educate, and inform its members and people affected by and/or at risk of HIV/AIDS.