The 10th annual World AIDS Day Luncheon is an extraordinary event dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those living with HIV and those at risk. On Thursday, December 5 our community will unite together at The Casey to remember those lost, raise awareness about HIV and learn how RAIN is working on ending HIV in our own community.

Your support matters because funds raised from the World AIDS Day Luncheon play a pivotal role in advancing RAIN’s mission.

Join us for a day of enlightenment, empowerment, unity, and hope as we strive to create a world where every individual living with HIV receives the care, respect, and support they deserve. Together, we can empower persons living with HIV and those at risk to be healthy and stigma free!

Thursday, December 5

11:30 AM to 1:00 PM

The Casey

1801 N. Tryon Street

Established in 1988, World AIDS Day, December 1, was the first global health day and honors the memory of those who've died from HIV. It's an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV and to commermorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness.

About 1.2 million people are living with HIV in the United States. Globally, there are an estimated 38 million people who have the virus. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS related illnesses, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

Today, scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition. Despite this, each year in Mecklenburg County hundreds of people are diagnosed with HIV, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with the condition.

World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public and government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight stigma and improve education.