Bloomington remembers lives lost to AIDS

Every year around Dec. 1, World AIDS Day, the Community AIDS Action Group is host to a Ceremony of Celebration and Remembrance.

The ceremony took place Tuesday evening at the Fountain Square Ballroom.

The goal is to raise money and get the word out about testing so people know whether they’re HIV positive, said Rebekah Sinders, Community AIDS Action Group secretary.
Sinders said there is a stigma with HIV/AIDS, which means many people die regardless of how fast the medical world is keeping up.

This was a celebration of those people who are still around and able to live a normal life, she said.

It was also a celebration of the sciences that are conquering bits and pieces of every disease every day, Sinders said.

The 2013 Celia Busch “Making a Difference” Award was presented during the ceremony by Jill Stowers.

The award recognizes the hard work and commitment of someone in South Central Indiana who contributes in a positive way to the lives of those living with HIV/AIDS.
During the Remembrance Ceremony, a black board with a red-backed glass ribbon was lit with candles in memory of people lost to AIDS.

Participants came to the microphone and shared the first names of family and friends they have lost to HIV/AIDS.

“Every year there are two or three names added, and it’s always really hard to hear those new names and know that they’re no longer with us during the name
ceremony,” Sinders said.

The night was centered on performances by various local artists.

The Quarryland Men’s Chorus performed two songs, IU musical theater student Maddie Shea Baldwin sang “Whispering” from “Spring Awakening,” Jim Stevens sang “You’ve Got a Friend,” musical theater student Hannah Slabaugh sang “Maybe This Time,” and Justin Teague and Amanda Biggs performed “I Look to You.”

Sinders said every five years there is a new theme, and during the current five-year span the theme is “Getting to Zero,” which is comprised of multiple facets.

Zero new births, zero new infections and zero discrimination are a few focuses under the theme.

“It may not be something that you can tangibly get to that year, but it’s a thing that we focus on for that year,” Sinders said.

Nancy Woolery, health projects coordinator for Bloomington Community and Family Resources, presented the World AID’s Day Proclamation.

One goal of the proclamation is to remind Bloomington that HIV has not gone away and that there are many things yet to be done, Woolery said.

Woolery said Dec. 1, 2013, is Worlds AIDS Day in Bloomington, and she urged everyone to remember those who lost their lives to AIDS, as well as to support those living with the disease.

“It’s a pretty moving thing that we do every year,” Sinders said.

Follow reporter Mary Hauber on Twitter @mary_hauber.