Saturday, March 20th, was designated globally as National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. In Anguilla, the Anguilla Community Action Network (ACAN), the organisation which advocates for HIV/AIDS and cancer awareness, locally, held a special church service to mark the significance of the day. The service was held at the Kingdom Gospel Global Outreach Church where Mr. Bernard Joseph is Pastor.
The scripture reading, delivered by ACAN’s Programme Coordinator, Mrs. Jeanette Guzman-Lamontagne, was taken from Galatians 3:25-29.
ACAN is now in its 15th year of representing the cause of those who are affected with HIV/AIDS. By extension, the organization gives its support to all those who are affected in one way or another by any other chronic disease. The Founder and CEO of ACAN is John C. Lake. As a survivor of both AIDS and cancer, he is quite aware of the stigma that is attached to these conditions, and is adamant about removing the scourge that typically comes with the pressures of suffering.
Mr. Lake’s mission, with regard to his leadership in ACAN, is to soften the impact of social discrimination experienced by those who are the victims of chronic diseases. He once declared: “Chronic diseases are all linked and, sadly, they can affect us all. ACAN is positioned to do more in creating awareness about these diseases while supporting all national efforts”.
Mr. Lake, however, is always ready to highlight his own experiences as an AIDS survivor. In his address during the church service on Sunday, he testified: “I am a survivor in the fight against HIV and AIDS. In the year 2000, the Optimist Club of Anguilla assisted me in taking a trip to Washington, DC, for medical attention. When I returned, I was moved to take the bold initiative to declare my status as HIV positive. Then, in 2006, I was inspired to form a local support group for people like myself who were living with the stigma of HIV/AIDS. I found that this was a very befitting thing to do, in order to have AIDS victims realise that there are people in the society who care about their feelings, their health and wellbeing. And so ACAN was established.”
“Today is a very significant day for ACAN to observe HIV/AIDS awareness,” he expressed. “We have reached and surpassed many milestones in our fight against HIV/AIDS. One of our most significant achievements is the fact that treatment for HIV/AIDS is available in Anguilla, and the medication now is more effective than ever before. I can recall the dark days when I was required to take 48 tablets a day for seven years. But through it all, God is so good. I am thankful that, by His grace, I am required to take only one table per day now. Praise God!”
“I am also a survivor of prostate cancer,” Mr. Lake acknowledged, “which was diagnosed some thirteen years ago. Stigma and discrimination is very broad in our community, but any victim of these kinds of diseases must realise that there is always hope in the most challenging circumstances. I thank God for giving me hope in the trials of my health, and for giving me the will to form an organisation like ACAN. I want to thank all the officers and the many friends who work along with us in our endeavour to give support to the victims of chronic diseases.”
The text for the Sunday morning sermon, preached by Pastor Joseph, was taken from Genesis Chapter 1, in which it is declared that God made man in his own image and likeness. He deliberated on the fact that it was the intention of God to have man remain blessed with the qualities of purity and wholesomeness that are the characteristics of God Himself, but because mankind fell into the degraded state of sinning, he has had to deal with the scourge of sickness, disease and death ever since.
Not stopping short at that point, the Pastor emphasised how God made a solution to mankind’s dilemma, as he quoted 1 Corinthians 15:22 which states: “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” He purported that Christ is the only remedy for man’s distresses and diseases which came as a result of his sins.
A special feature of the service was a message of gratitude and commendation for ACAN coming from the Optimist International Caribbean District in Jamaica. The Chairperson of that organisation, Ms. Notoya Williams, said, in part, via voice-note: “Greetings to Pastor Bernard Joseph, First Lady Linda Joseph, distinguished officials, ACAN family and the household of faith. I extend heartfelt commendation today, on the district’s behalf, to Mr. John Calvin Lake for his contribution to the Anguillian community in the area of HIV/AIDS advocacy. Thank you for giving so much of your time towards the improvement of the life of those who are affected.”
Mr. Lake would like to put on record his gratitude for the willingness of those who have contribute to ACAN in one way or another, over the past 15 years. He wishes to thank those who have been members of the various boards that have changed hands since 2006. In particular, he wishes to thank the organisation’s Deputy CEO, Ms. Kurlyn Smith, who is quite instrumental in maintaining the image and projecting the work of ACAN overseas. He commends her highly for her dedication, selflessness, and love for humanity which go beyond the call of duty.
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
