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Many gathered in Congress Square Park Monday night for the World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil to raise awareness for a global issue that also has a large impact in Maine. World AIDS Day is on Dec. 1.It was an evening dedicated to honoring the millions who have died from the HIV/AIDS epidemic and showing support to those still living with the disease.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Of that population, 13% don’t know they have the virus at all. Stash Bayley has been HIV-positive for roughly 18 years. He says he spoke at Monday’s vigil to share what’s weighing on his heart. “This is an important year just to remind people that the fight isn’t over,” Bayley said. “We have to remain vigilant, and we have to band together and we have to take care of each other.”The vigil was coordinated by the Frannie Peabody center, which is a nonprofit in Portland that connects people in need. They serve several communities such as those who live below the federal poverty line or facing substance abuse issues. “We serve a diverse population of people who face numerous challenges and we care very much for all of them,” said Katie Rutherford, executive director of the Frannie Peabody Center.The center says they support roughly 400 people living with HIV or AIDS in the state annually. “We help people navigate health care,” Rutherford said. “HIV medications can be extremely expensive, so just making sure that we’re a resource for folks so that they can live long, healthy lives with HIV and also prevent further transmission is really important to our community.” More than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS-related illnesses over the past 40 years. Bayley says the challenge now isn’t necessarily the disease itself.”It’s the stigma that’s attached to it,” Bayley said. “The words that are used, the words that people choose, are really important, and we need allies like we’ve never needed before.”If you or someone you know needs an HIV test, the Frannie Peabody Center offers free test kits that you can do from your home. You can request one here.