Northeast Florida marks World AIDS Day with remembrance walk, service

RIVERSIDE, Fla. – Northeast Florida honored those affected by HIV/AIDS with a walk and service on the 37th observance of World AIDS Day. Organized by the Northeast Florida World AIDS Day Committee, the event marked the return of the walk after a five-year hiatus.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 88 million people have been infected with HIV since the epidemic began, and over 42 million have died. Organizers aim to raise awareness and remember those lost to the disease.

The walk, which began in Riverside, featured stories from those impacted by HIV/AIDS. Participants walked to the Northeast Florida AIDS Network, where they wrote the names of loved ones on rocks to form a cairn as a memorial.

Following the walk, a Service of Remembrance and Hope took place at Riverside Church on Park and King streets where attendees lit candles and shared memories of loved ones.