New York, NY - National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD), is held each year on the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month, on October 15.

This year NLAAD was a giant success in mobilizing communities and engaging both social and mainstream media outlets to highlight the HIV & AIDS epidemic among Hispanic/Latino communities. Once again, NLAAD promotes a collaborative effort in promoting AIDS awareness, HIV testing, and sharing strategies to reduce stigma associated with AIDS.

"Our theme, 'We'll Defeat AIDS con Ganas (with Desire),' reminds us that only by working together we will defeat AIDS" stated Antonio Ochoa, Program Manager and Senior Capacity Building Specialist at the Latino Commission on AIDS. "In its 14th year since its inception in 2003, NLAAD continues to evolve in addressing the varying intersections of HIV/AIDS and social/structural conditions that incite the disproportionate impact of the epidemic on Hispanic/Latinx communities."

"We recognize the amazing leadership and contributions from so many partners throughout the nation and the territories to address the impact of HIV and AIDS in our communities" stated Guillermo Chacon, President of the Latino Commission on AIDS and founder of the Hispanic Health Network. "The Latino Commission will intensify our efforts to address the new increases of HIV cases among young Gay men of color, the stigma associated with HIV & AIDS, and health disparities in accessing health care and prevention services."