KNOXVILLE – Several events have been planned by the FAITH Coalition for the 2015 National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS. Music, prayer, education, and service will begin Sunday, March 1. The coalition joins thousands of communities across the country observing the special week in an effort to bring attention and awareness to the AIDS epidemic, as well as to encourage a national dialogue on prevention, treatment and care.

“Because of the stigma and silence surrounding HIV/AIDS, many people do not realize that the disease affects people right here in East Tennessee,” stated Rev. John A. Butler, chair of the FAITH Coalition. “This stigma inhibits some from getting tested, and those with the disease from seeking much-needed treatment and social support.”

According to the Tennessee Department of Health, more than 800 Tennesseans became infected with HIV in 2013. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates more than one million Americans are living with HIV and that 1 in 6 do not know they are infected.

National Week of Prayer activities include two free events that are open to the public:

Interfaith Prayer Vigil and Continuous Prayer Chain
Sunday, March 1 at 4 p.m., Clinton Chapel AME Zion Church, 546 College St.
Several leaders from a wide range of faith traditions will pray for courage and inspiration to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic with compassion. The Praise, Honor and Glory Choir will also perform. Immediately following the vigil, area groups will begin a prayer chain that lasts throughout the week.

Lift Every Voice on Faith, Hope and Facing AIDS
Thursday, March 5 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the University of Tennessee, Cox Auditorium, 1408 Middle Dr., in Alumni Memorial Hall Marvelyn Brown, Tennessee native and HIV activist and author, will tell her moving story of how she contracted HIV at the young age of 19 and how she manages to stay upbeat, inspired and positive. Logan Temple Ensemble, New Hope Baptist Church Choir, Redeemed and Tabernacle Baptist Church Choir will also perform. Free HIV testing, conducted by swabbing the mouth, will be provided by Samaritan Ministry and the Knox County Health Department.

The National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS is presented by the FAITH Coalition. Other sponsors include the Knox County Health Department Teen Health Empowerment Program, Black Cultural Programming Committee, Tennessee Department of Health, Knoxville District AME Zion Church, Austin High School Class of 1964, Central Baptist Church of Bearden, East Tennessee AIDS Fund, Samaritan Ministry, HOPE Center, Walgreens and KAPPI.