RVA Remembers 2011

On December 1, 2011, something truly breathtaking in its simplicity and power happened in Richmond, Virginia.  At precisely 12 o’clock, 400 red umbrellas popped open on an island in the James River to symbolize a recommitment to education, prevention and hope. At that exact moment Richmond led the Commonwealth and the nation in saying, “30 years is too long.” We reminded our neighbors near and far that the fight is not yet won and that complacency and indifference are taking precious lives. RVA Remembers 2011 united and reinvigorated us in the battle against HIV/AIDS.

Standing in a sea of red umbrellas, we remembered—the people living with HIV/AIDS today…the friends we lost yesterday…and the ones who will be lost tomorrow.

Fan Free Clinic (FFC) led this effort in order to shine a spotlight on the AIDS epidemic that continues  in Richmond and throughout the Commonwealth. Virginia ranks 13th among all U.S. states in terms of the number of cumulative AIDS diagnoses; approximately 23,000 Virginians are living with HIV/AIDS.

RVA Remembers 2011 coincided with the 30th anniversary of the first AIDS case diagnosis in June of 1981. Since the earliest days of the pandemic, Fan Free Clinic has been at the forefront in the Richmond community responding to the needs of persons infected by the virus and working diligently to share HIV prevention education with whomever will listen.

(Purchase the iconic image of the AIDS ribbon against the RVA skyline on a 16″x 32″ canvas.)

In 2012, Fan Free Clinic received the 1st Place Measure of Excellence Award by the Virginia Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations -AND- a Commonwealth Award of Merit from the Richmond Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America for RVA REMEMBERS 2011.