World AIDS day was celebrated in Fall River on December 3, 2014, beginning with a ceremony at Gromada Plaza in front of Government Center. About two dozen people gathered at noon to mark the 25th anniversary of the worldwide event and the 10th time that people have gathered to mark the day in Fall River. According to Fall River Health and Human Services Director Henry Vaillancourt, M.D. there were 223 people living with HIV infection in Fall River as of this January. "That number has gone up from previous years, not because more people are becoming infected but because people are living longer with the disease," he stated. "Unfortunately, the predominant mode of exposure is intravenous drug abuse," he added. Connie Rocha-Mimoso of Seven Hills Behavioral Health stated "we've done very well in Fall River and the state. Our numbers are down, but don't be fooled about this victory. There's still a lot to be done," she added. The event continued in the evening with a candlelight vigil from Government Center to the Cultural Center at Sociedade Cultural Acoriana. Click here for a 14-minute video of the noontime event. Click here for the Herald News article about the event. Click here to see photos from the 2013 event. For more information, contact the STEP Outreach Center at 508-235-1012.

(Top row) A group, including Todd Allen Scott, Maryann Vianchi and Kevin St. Germaine, center, held signs at Gromada Plaza while Connie Rocha-Mimoso of Seven Hills Behavioral Health greeted Mayor William Flanagan before giving their remarks. (Middle row) Participants take photos of a display of the AIDS ribbon before City Health and Human Services Director Dr. Henry Vaillancourt address those gathered about the impact of AIDS in the City. (Bottom row, left) Herald News reporter Marc Munroe Dion interviews Ms. Rocha-Mimoso. (Bottom row, center) Massachusetts Department of Public Health staff member Eddie Dibartolli listens as Todd Allen Scott talks with Ms. Rocha-Mimoso. (Bottom row, right) Fall River City Councilor Jasiel Correia II, center, talks with participants as SSTAR Prevention Services Director Michael Aguiar listens.