With tears and prayer, U. gathers for World AIDS Day

In the City of Brotherly Love, the setting for the AIDS-themed film Philadelphia, close to 50 people gathered at a candlelight service on campus yesterday to commemorate World AIDS Day. Doctors and staffers from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania joined friends and family members of victims yesterday in the Penn Tower Hotel's Ivy Room for the fifth annual event, which mixed laughter and tears to honor victims of the incurable disease. "We didn't want to let World AIDS Day go by without acknowledging the victims' struggles," said Rob MacGregor, one of the founders of the infectious disease clinic at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. "It's been very rewarding to all of us." The event was open to the public, but invitations were sent directly to the families of former clinic patients. The program was led by Stephen Gluckman, director of infectious disease clinical services at HUP, who opened the evening by speaking about the need to remember AIDS victims, as well as the incredible influence they had on others. "This is a short time to slow down for just a second to conjure up some pleasant memories, some fond memories," he said. Following Gluckman's introduction and a musical selection, several members of the HUP staff addressed the subject of death and its complicated meaning with readings from the Bible and the Koran, as well as poetry. With the conclusion of the readings, the service's organizers lit several dozen candles, each one in memory of a patient who recently succumbed to AIDS. Audience members were then invited to share personal stories and memories, which elicited occasional laughter from the somber audience. Some participants carried handmade quilts and spoke of their siblings who had died, while others reflected on the loss of their lovers. The program closed with a moment of silence and then broke for an informal reception -- offering guests, many of whom had forged bonds of friendship while their loved ones were being treated at HUP, a chance to talk. Similarly, Gluckman noted that doctors and family members enjoy a special bond, which was part of the reason for holding the service. "You really get close to these people," Gluckman said. "Caring for AIDS patients is strangely uplifting. Unlike other types of medicine, you try to find as good a resolution as possible. We get to mix real science with old fashioned doctor stuff." Bill Grant Sr., who paid tribute to his son Bill Jr. by reading a poem during the service, spoke afterwards about his family's reasons for attending the event for the second time since his son passed away two years ago. "Our purpose is twofold -- first, to remember Bill and second, to say thank you to the people who helped," he said. "He gave us a lot and so did the hospital."