The Story County AIDS Coalition will participate in the 14th Annual International AIDS Candlelight Memorial and Mobilization this weekend.

A candlelight walk from the east side of Lake Laverne to the Campanile will take place May 4 from 9-10 p.m. After the walk, Tom, a local man who is HIV positive, will give a short speech. The evening will close with a non-denominational prayer.

In the case of inclement weather, the event will take place in the Campanile Room of the Memorial Union.

“The AIDS walk is an annual event, but this is the first candlelight walk during the international mobilization,” said Pam Carnine, director of the Story County AIDS Coalition office.

Students from Nevada High School, Ames High School and Iowa State organized the candlelight walk.

Similar walks are being held this weekend in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Waterloo/Cedar Falls, said Meg Morris, network associate of the Iowa Statewide HIV network.

Mayor Larry Curtis has proclaimed May 3-5 as AIDS Awareness Weekend in Ames. Last year Curtis also proclaimed the first weekend of May as AIDS Awareness Weekend, Carnine said.

“Night of 100 Stars” is another AIDS Awareness event that will take place this weekend. People throughout the community host parties where donations are made to the AIDS Coalition.

On May 3, Patty Jischke, wife of ISU President Martin Jischke, will host a dessert reception for community members who hosted parties, donated significant amounts of money or supported the event.

The AIDS Coalition of Story County provides prevention education for everyone and support and emergency financial assistance for those who are HIV positive.

More than 1,000 cases of AIDS have been diagnosed in Iowa. However, the number of people with HIV is less clear because many people infected with the disease do not know they have it.

“We want to remind everyone that we have lost thousands to AIDS and the fight is not over,” Carnine said.