December 1 is "World AIDS Day." Across the country, memorials and vigils honored those lost to the disease, as well as reaffirmed commitment to stopping its spread.
- St. Pete vigil at Metro Health and Wellness
- CDC statistics show Florida has some of highest rates of new HIV cases
- Activists said focus needs to be on prevention
A group of people gathered at Metro Health and Wellness in St. Petersburg to remember those who they've loved and lost to the disease during a candlelight vigil.
"There needs to be some understanding and there has to be a continued fight," said Gary Breul, who raises money for AIDS-related causes. "People can't just turn their back on it and go away and think that it's all done, because it's not all done. People are still coming down with HIV."
Statistics released by the Centers for Disease Control show Florida has some of the highest rates of new HIV infections in the country.
Activists at the vigil said while drug cocktails are prolonging lives, AIDS is still a very real and deadly threat.
They said the focus needs to be on prevention, and that the keys to stopping the spread of the disease are protection, diagnosis, and treatment.
"100% the key is education. Another important factor is working to minimize and ultimately eliminate the stigma associated with HIV and AIDS," said James Keane.