Marking #WorldAidsDay

Photo by Elaine VanCleave

God of overflowing love, we come with joys and sorrows. We come in turmoil an d chaos, struggling to create one world in hope. Let your loving justice inspire our hearts as we pray...God of our hope, make us one as we walk with all who live with HIV or AIDS. Encourage our hearts and open our hands.  from Worship Resources for World Aids Day

Since 2006,  the Empire State Building in New York City has been marking World Aids Day on Dec. 1 with red lighting on its top floors. The red color matches the red ribbons that many people around the world will be wearing this day. The red ribbon is the international symbol of AIDS awareness. It is a sign of solidarity with all those who are affected by HIV/AIDS.

A sponsor of the annual campaign is the AIDS awareness charity (RED), which was founded in 2006 by Irish musician  Bono and Bobby Shriver. (RED) supports The Global Fund HIV/AIDS grants in eight countries with a goal of virtually eliminating transmission of the virus from moms to their babies.  Read more

Other landmark buildings around the world—like the Sydney Opera House, the London Eye and Cape Town’s Table Mountain—were also lit red for World AIDS Day.

Cover of ONE's AIDS Report 2015

This year, the global anti-poverty organization ONE is holding a special celebration at Carnegie Hall on World AIDS Day to celebrate ten years of ONE and (RED). Congressional district leaders, volunteer team members, and regional faith leaders joined with staff to mark this milestone.  A group of ONE activists participated in the ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Dec. 1.

ONE also marked the occasion with the release of The AIDS Report 2015

ONE activists at the NYSE Photo: Don VanCleave