BANGOR – In observance of World AIDS Day on Saturday, Dec. 1, Eastern Maine AIDS Network will host an evening of reflection and remembrance.

With more people in Maine living with HIV and AIDS than ever before, and with new diagnoses on the rise, the community faces greater challenges in prevention, education, care and treatment, organizers said.

Since the beginning of the epidemic, experience has demonstrated that significant advances in the response to HIV have been achieved when leadership is strong and committed. Thus, the theme for World AIDS Day 2007 is “leadership.”

Leadership must be demonstrated at every level to get ahead of the disease – in families, in communities, in countries and internationally, organizers said.

The community is invited to gather at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at Hammond Street Congregational Church for an open house that will feature panels from the national AIDS quilt, a display of the timeline of HIV, information about HIV and AIDS, and red ribbons for the public.

The Rev. Mark Doty will give a brief talk about the reason for World AIDS Day, the meaning of the red ribbon, and the importance of community support and leadership at 6:30 p.m.

Candles will be distributed and participants will proceed to Hannibal Hamlin Park between Franklin and Central Streets along Kenduskeag Stream to light luminaries and hold a candlelight vigil in recognition of the 20th annual World AIDS Day.

Eastern Maine AIDS Network was established in 1987 as a grassroots response to the needs of people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. EMAN is a not-for-profit agency that provides a variety of services throughout eastern and northern Maine.

Its primary goal is to support clients who are living with HIV and AIDS. EMAN also provides community and outreach prevention education, as well as HIV antibody testing to the general public. For more information, visit www.maineaidsnetwork.com or call toll free (877) 990-3626.