World AIDS Day 2024 with Fight AIDS Monaco

Yesterday, a large gathering of community members came together to support H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie's charity, Fight AIDS Monaco, now marking its 20th anniversary. The occasion featured the unveiling of memorial quilts created by charity members to honor those who lost their lives to AIDS, in observance of World AIDS Day.

The event, held at the Oceanographic Museum, welcomed the presence of Princess Stéphanie, her daughter Camille Gottlieb, and Monegasque dignitaries as Fight AIDS Monaco unveiled its memorial quilts for the 13th consecutive year.

 

Both poignant and heartfelt, the quilts serve as a powerful reminder of the devastating impact of AIDS. On Friday, the association presented 8 of its 14 meticulously crafted pieces, each requiring an average of 170 hours to complete.

The quilts, considered symbols of hope, draw inspiration from the AIDS Memorial Quilt movement, which began in San Francisco in 1985. This initiative honors those who have lost their lives to AIDS by creating panels of painted fabric. Christophe Glasser, Director of Fight AIDS Monaco, highlighted this connection in his speech.

 

Fight AIDS Monaco is a non-profit NGO founded by H.S.H. Princess Stephanie in July 2004.

Faced with psychological, and financial distress along with isolation. S.A.S. Princess Stephanie has seen people living with HIV, in the face of discrimination that many suffer daily, and in the face of their acute, often hidden, internalized health and well-being. With that, Princess Stephanie has committed herself to and with them in this struggle for life and dignity.

As the honorable Princess Stephanie has stated, “I join all those who are fighting HIV in their own lives, I encourage everyone to be screened, to protect themselves, and to thank anyone who devotes their time, their money to the mobilization of AIDS.”

From previous experiences, this event is reflective in memory of those who have passed due to HIV/AIDS complications, yet also filled with compassion and love as a supportive community along with the strength and hope that we must do all we can to bring more awareness and raise funds with the hope to eradicate this disease that can affect anyone. And this year, World AIDS Day felt no different.

The Fight AIDS Monaco non-profit organization works with board members, a small but important team of employees, and many volunteers, all of whom share their time, along with Princess Stephanie to help put the word out about AIDS awareness, and prevention and to raise funds for the charity through various events in and around Monaco annually.

Fight AIDS Monaco is funded by a grant from the Government of Monaco but mainly from private donations. To donate, please contact: Fight AIDS Monaco

Photo/Video Credits:

Frédéric Nebinger
Frédéric Pacorel
Monaco Tribune