There are currently more than 7,500 people living with HIV/AIDS in the Memphis metro area. Thursday, December 1st marks World AIDS Day, and there’s plenty going on to raise awareness and commemorate local lives lost to HIV/AIDS.
* World AIDS Day NAMES Ceremony, First Baptist Church of Memphis (200 E. Parkway N.), 10 a.m.
This annual ceremony pays tribute to the 2,911 people whose lives have been lost to HIV/AIDS in Shelby County from 1985 to 2010. White sticks with red ribbons have been placed on the lawn of the church to commemorate those victims, and their first names will be read aloud at the ceremony.
* World AIDS Day Service, Christ Missionary Baptist Church (480 S. Parkway E.), 7 p.m.
Sponsored by the Red Door Foundation and the HIV/AIDS Ministry of Christ Missionary Baptist Church, the service features music, testimonials of people affected by HIV, a prayer by local pastors, and a ceremony remembering victims who have passed. Attendees are encouraged to wear red. Free HIV testing will be offered in the lobby between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.
* Free HIV Testing and Rapid Counseling, Packer Clinic (814 Jefferson) and Cawthon Public Health Clinic (1000 Haynes St.), 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Preliminary testing results will be ready in one hour at these events sponsored by the Shelby County Health Department.
* Shelby County Health Department World AIDS Day Event, Northside High School Auditorium (1212 Vollintine), 12:30-2 p.m.
Community-based HIV/AIDS service groups and organizations discuss HIV prevention activities and programs.
* Free HIV & Syphilis Testing, Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region (2430 Poplar), 9 a.m-6 p.m.
No appointment necessary. HIV test results will be ready in 30 minutes, but syphilis tests results will take about a week. Volunteers will lead free zumba classes in the lobby.
