AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod Commemorates World AIDS Day

The AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod (ASGCC) will hold a series of events across Cape Cod on December 1, 2011 to commemorate the 24th year of World AIDS Day.

ASGCC, one of the first AIDS service organizations established in the United States, has participated in World AIDS Day each year since the first of this global health day observance in 1988. 

ASGCC, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Provincetown and other community members, will come together in a candlelight vigil at 5:00 P.M. on December 1^st in front of the Provincetown Town Hall at 260 Commercial Street. The vigil will be followed by a silent walk to the U.U. Church at 236 Commercial Street. 

The church will host a meal of soups and bread prepared by ASGCC staff. This will also be a time to share memories of those we have lost to AIDS over the three decades of the epidemic. In addition there will be a showing of Catherine Russo’s film Safe Harbor: Provincetown — A Community Responds to AIDS, which is a very moving documentary about the early days of the AIDS epidemic in Provincetown. All are welcome and invited to take part in the events in Provincetown that evening.

According to statistics from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Provincetown continues to have the highest rate of HIV-incidence per capita in the state.

“World AIDS Day is very important to us”, said Joe Carleo, ASGCC Executive Director.  “It gives us a moment to remember the many friends and family that this epidemic has taken away from us and reminds us of why we must continue to do the work we do.” 

In Barnstable the day will be acknowledged with an eye toward a future without AIDS.  ASGCC along with Health Imperatives- Hyannis Family Planning and Cape Cod Community College's Student Council and Diversity Club will host a health education and resource table at the college's main campus Common's Building in West Barnstable.

“While World AIDS Day is a day to reflect on the past, it is also a time to remember how much more work there is to do,” added Carleo.  “Together we can continue to take care of the many people living with HIV/AIDS but we can also work to stop the spread of HIV and end the AIDS epidemic for good.” 

All of ASGCC’s World AIDS Day events are free and open to the public.  

Founded in 1983 to respond to the emerging AIDS epidemic in Provincetown, today the ASGCC serves over 450 people and families living with HIV/AIDS in  all 15 Cape Cod towns, Martha's Vineyard and beyond.  ASGCC’s mission is to provide services that maintain and enhance the quality of life for persons living with HIV and AIDS and to promote health through education, prevention and harm reduction outreach.  ASGCC’s HIV prevention/education programs reach well over 100,000 residents and visitors each year.  For more information about ASGCC and our events visit the website at www.asgcc.org.