Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – World AIDS Day is being commemorated on December 1, 2012. The event brings together people from around the world to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and demonstrate international solidarity in the face of the pandemic.

Although the worldwide theme is "Getting to Zero," the Jalisco AIDS Committee is emphasizing the local importance of this global event with its own theme, “Reduce the Impact! Share the Responsibility!"

The goal of both "Getting to Zero" and "Reduce the Impact! Share the Responsibility!" is to promote zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths.

This year, SETAC is organizing the Walk for Life, the first organized walk to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS ever held in Puerto Vallarta.

SETAC, the GLBT community center in Puerto Vallarta, is proud to host this event and to use this opportunity to spread awareness about the status of the pandemic and encourage progress in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care in high prevalence countries around the world.

"SETAC," says Director Paco Arjona, "along with community centers and organizations from all over the world, is calling for greater recognition of the importance of emotional and social support for adults and children living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.

The Walk for Life begins at 6:30 pm on Saturday at the Lázaro Cárdenas Park, proceeding up the Malecon to the arches, then back to the park again, where the Puerto Vallarta World AIDS Day Celebration will be in full swing. There will be entertainment, a registration booth, and special Candlelight Memorial in remembrance of Andrew Briskin whose presence in the community is surely missed.

On the two days before this unprecedented show of solidarity, on Thursday, November 29th, and Friday, November 30th, the second annual HIV Rapid Test Marathon will be an ongoing and free event at the Malecón. It will run from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm both days.

Last year, the first HIV Rapid Test Marathon was held in Pitillal and was and overwhelming success. More than 400 people were tested in three days, anonymously, and at no cost.