Candlelight Vigil at Dupont Circle 2009

"I've been a survivor for over 24 years, and I'm grateful to be alive."

The vigil is hosted annually by Whitman-Walker Clinic.

"Dupont Circle is not only a natural convergence point for many people in DC, it has also been a focal point throughout the HIV/AIDS epidemic in DC," said Donald Blanchon, executive director of Whitman-Walker Clinic.

"Numerous vigils, demonstrations and marches related to HIV/AIDS have been held on Dupont Circle over the last nearly 30 years. We want to honor that legacy while remembering the breadth of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in DC today."

wwc.org/news/wad2009.html