Worlds AIDS Day Vigil on Dec. 1

Florida A&M will host a candlelight vigil tomorrow at the eternal flame in honor of World AIDS Day.

More than one million people are estimated to be living with HIV in the United States, and one in five do not know they’re infected, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation reported.

Patrice Gray, a second-year public health graduate student from West Palm Beach, said students should attend the event and take time to honor those who are infected and have died from the disease.

Tanya Tatum, Director of Student Health Services, said students should attend, enjoy the entertainment and get tested. The Leon County Health Department will offer free rapid testing that will be ready in 20 minutes, prior to a brief interview. Chauncey Beaty, a poet and motivational speaker, will be the guest speaker.

Randy Henley, a psychology and political science student from Fort Lauderdale, has volunteered for this event for four years. One of Henley’s family members died from AIDS, which motivated him to spread awareness of the disease.

“Power is in knowledge,” said Henley. “The only way you can know is to get tested to save yourself and those around you.”

The event will be in front on the eternal flame between Lee Hall and Coleman Library from 5 – 6:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Student Health Services at 850-599-3777.