Today is World AIDS Day.  Kristi L Nelson reports on KnoxNews.com:

"Lives are still being lost to HIV.  But hope is on the horizon.

At a community-wide commemoration of World AIDS Day Dec. 1, Dr. John Law of Summit Medical Group will talk about a drug regimen that can prevent HIV infection in people who are HIV-negative.

PrEP, or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, has been available about four years, but it gained more attention recently after a Kaiser Permanente study last year found it 100 percent effective against HIV’s spread as long as it was taken at least four times a week. The drug is expensive for the uninsured, but health officials say it holds the potential to eradicate AIDS.

Law’s discussion is just one part of the event, scheduled for 7 p.m. at Rothchild Catering, 8801 Kingston Pike.

There two East Tennesseans will share their experiences living with HIV, area musicians will provide a celebration of life through music, and the Planned Parenthood FYI Peer Education Program will present a skit. The World AIDS Day Trunk will be displayed, as will some panels of the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt.

Chrishell “Chrissy” Calhoun, who has been East Tennessee Regional Consortia Coordinator Manager for the East Tennessee Human Resources Agency for more than 13 years, will be honored with the annual Outstanding Person Award.

The evening ends with a candlelight remembrance of those who lost their lives to AIDS.

This year’s theme for World AIDS Day – first observed in 1998 – is “Living with HIV.” With early testing and access to medical care, more people are living longer with the HIV virus – infection is not necessarily a “death sentence” now..."  Read more.