The annual World AIDS Day Service was observed at LeMoyne College on Thursday morning. The “Service of Remembrance” was filled with reflective readings, stirring music and handmade quilts bearing the names of loved ones.
Twenty-two years after the Executive Director of ACR Health in Syracuse partnered with LeMoyne College to present the World AIDS Day Service, Will Murtaugh says more than 123,000 state residents have died. Nearly the same amount are presently living with HIV or Aids across New York.
“It’s been an amazing impact on society. I mean, New York State was the height of the epidemic was where most people died in this country. So it’s impacted so many families and to pause and take a moment to remember those (who) have been lost is a wonderful thing for the families (who) have lost their loved ones.”
He says just ten years ago there were 14,000 annual reported HIV infections in the state and it’s presently under 3,000 annually. Murtaugh thinks the state’s goal to reduce the annual infection rate by 2020 is realistic.
“We’re trying to get it down to 750 (number of new annual cases) and it’s first, identifying those people that are HIV positive, getting them on the anti-viral drugs to suppress the virus and also providing Prep to people that may need it (who) are at risk for getting the disease. Also, supporting and getting people into care that aren’t into care and identifying those people.”
Murtaugh advises those living with the disease to take their prescribed medications regularly for life, if they want to survive. He also sees Prep as an important medication to protect sexual partners along with practicing safe sex.
ACR’s Moe Harrington says she is reminded on World AIDS Day of a gay community of professional men who frequented a bar that she worked at when she was 19 in the 80’s.
“I lost so many people. It started with one of the bartenders and just kept on going. Ya know, people were getting sick and they were dying very quickly. So, it’s a way for me to stay connected to them. It’s a way for me to remember them.”
Anyone who is sexually active and would like to be tested for HIV or find out about healthcare services to manage HIV or receive Prep may contact ACR Health. To read a statement from the National Institutes of Health click here.