November 5, 2002
"Think about being 18 years old and knowing you have a disease that cannot be cured," said Patricia Checko, director of the Bristol-Burlington Health District. Hers was one of many points addressed Oct. 28 in an annual event, AIDS Reflection 2002, held by the Bristol, Conn., Mayor's AIDS Task Force. More than 50 people participated in a candlelight vigil while the Rev. Earl Keirstead of the First Congregational Church in Bristol gave a brief sermon. The event was a chance for the community to gather and offer compassion and encouragement to individuals and families affected by the disease, said Cathy Sheehan, director of nursing for the Health District and chair of the task force. Checko said that at least 200 people in the city are now infected with HIV and that there were five new AIDS cases this year in Bristol.