Shining a light on dark decades

Staff from ACON Northern Rivers (front l-r) Renia Gryc, Dermot Ryan and Sioux Harrison with (rear l-r) Tobin Saunders, Marie Reilly and Neil McKellar-Stewart.

Dermot Ryan from ACON Northern Rivers is no stranger to loss - he's seen two friends and a partner die from HIV/AIDS.

While HIV/AIDS is not the death sentence it once was, ACON holds an annual Candlelight Vigil on World AIDS Day each year so family and friends can gather to remember those people who have died.

"The context of HIV/AIDS has changed - it's now a chronic manageable illness whereas in the past, before the discovery of anti-retrovirals, people's life expectancy was very short, they simply got sick and died, and lots of people felt powerless... They were scared and had to stand by and witness it and there wasn't a lot they could do," Dermot said. "This is a chance to honour those lives. People might remember someone they haven't thought of for a number of years just by reading an article like this."

Dermot said despite the sadness surrounding death of a friend or loved one, the Candlelight Vigil wasn't necessarily a sad event but a collective chance to reflect.

"People think it's a very sombre event but in actual fact it's very uplifting," Dermot said. "When we think of those people in our lives the memories are pleasant. So we think of all the good things we shared with them and it makes us smile."

The Candlelight Vigil is on next Thursday, December 1, in Lismore's Spinks Park from 7.30pm. Candles are supplied if people can't bring their own.

Thursday is also the Red Ribbon Appeal and people are urged to buy and wear a red ribbon and help raise funds towards the ongoing welfare of the 500-odd people living with HIV/AIDS in the Northern Rivers.

In what Dermot says is a coup for the region, Dr Edwina Wright, an infectious disease physician from the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, will be keynote speaker for the 'Treatments by the Sea' workshop on Saturday, December 3.

This is a free workshop for people with HIV that includes the latest information about HIV, how to reduce the complications of HIV, and hints and tips to stay well and healthy. Numbers for the workshop are limited. To register phone 6622 1555.