The third Sunday of May is International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day
According to estimates, over 240,000 people are living with HIV in Ukraine. More than a third of them are unaware of their status.
Today, people living with HIV can lead full, vibrant lives thanks to modern antiretroviral therapy (ART), which is free and widely available in Ukraine. Within just 1 to 3 months of starting treatment, the viral load becomes undetectable, and a person with an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV. Support services also play a crucial role, helping individuals get diagnosed in a timely manner, start treatment, and ensure they do not have to face their status alone.
Since 2006, Convictus Ukraine has been developing HIV prevention programs, expanding access to treatment, and supporting individuals throughout their therapy journey. Every year, the organization helps more than 40,000 people access diagnostics, medical support, and essential assistance. The team conducts over 30,000 HIV tests annually and develops person-centered services, bringing help closer and making it more accessible to those who need it most.
These are not just numbers. Every test represents a person who took a step toward caring for their health, backed by a team that provides ongoing support—helping them see a doctor, start therapy, and walk this path with care, trust, and reassurance.
Today, we honor the memory of those who have died from AIDS, and we continue to live and act—for those who are beside us today, for those who do not yet know their status, and for a future where fear and stigma no longer claim lives.