World AIDS Day Marked At Suffolk County Ceremony In Hauppauge

HAUPPAUGE, NY — Legislator Leslie Kennedy joined Thursday’s Child and the Suffolk County Department of Health Services’ Office of Minority Health on Monday for a public World AIDS Day commemoration at the H. Lee Dennison Building.

The partnership between the county and Thursday’s Child began in 2022, when the Legislature passed a resolution co-sponsored by Kennedy to designate December as “HIV/AIDS Awareness Month,” officials said.

Thursday's Child is a non-profit organization, founded in 1989 on Long Island, that provides comprehensive services and support for individuals living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. The organization offers a range of programs, including HIV testing, emergency financial assistance, benefits advocacy, and housing assistance, to ensure those affected can access necessary care and resources to work towards an AIDS-free generation.

Kennedy, a registered nurse for more than 30 years, was invited to speak at the event and reflected on her experiences caring for patients during the 1980s, a time when HIV and AIDS were widely misunderstood and stigmatized.

“There have been so many medical breakthroughs surrounding HIV and AIDS in my lifetime," Kennedy said. "I know that if people keep working together, HIV and AIDS will be a thing of the past."

Kerry Thomas, executive director of Thursday’s Child, thanked Kennedy for her ongoing support.

“We are so grateful for the support of Legislator Kennedy and her dedicated public service to all residents of Suffolk County,” Thomas said. “As she has expressed in her remarks at the event, we have come a long way in addressing HIV/AIDS, and she has had first-hand experience as an RN during the early days of the epidemic. We have made so much progress, but cannot forget this history.”

This year marked the third time Thursday’s Child has hosted a World AIDS Day commemoration, and the first year the organization collaborated with the county’s Office of Minority Health. Organizers said they look forward to expanding the partnership to continue raising awareness about HIV and AIDS.