Miami Herald - Saturday, December 1, 2001
Brad Bennett, bbennett@herald.com

Diagnosed with AIDS from a drug needle in 1996, he was at one time faced with a substance abuse problem and the prospect of 30 years in prison for a string of burglaries.

In 1997, he enrolled in Broward House, a network of assisted living facilities, where he got drug treatment and learned how to live with his illness.

Now drug-free for the past five years, Figueroa got married in February, and only enters the justice system to educate jail inmates about HIV and AIDS.

For his work to increase AIDS awareness, Figueroa -- who dressed up as Santa Claus and brought gifts to HIV-infected children last year -- is one of several people nominated for a service award at today's Broward's World AIDS Day candlelight vigil at Esplanade Park in Fort Lauderdale.

Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno will deliver the keynote address.

"It's a moment of reflection to look back and be thankful for what I have accomplished," said Figueroa, 47, of Wilton Manors. "Life does go on."

World AIDS Day began in 1988 following a world health summit on AIDS prevention. The day is intended not only to heighten awareness of the disease and the people who live with it, but also to raise money for research.

It is a coordinated day of action against AIDS featuring dinners, candlelight vigils and seminars worldwide.

Throughout the United States, as of Oct. 31, 448,060 people had died of AIDS-related illnesses this year, including 45,921 in Florida and 7,430 in Broward, according to the Broward County Health Department's AIDS program office.

"Minority families, black folks, men and women, are adversely affected more so than the general population," said Janet Ward, president and CEO of the Parent's Information and Resource Center Inc., a nonprofit organization that works with parents and children diagnosed with HIV.

"All of us, black and white, all races, need to take the matter seriously," she said.

Broward County Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion, today's master of ceremonies, agreed.

"There are a lot of people and families that have been touched by AIDS," Eggelletion said. "And anything that I can do to raise the awareness and to help prevent the spread of AIDS...I certainly want to be a part of it."

Organizers ask participants not to bring candles to today's vigil, 4-6 p.m. at 400 SW Second Street, because the wax would damage bricks at the Riverwalk.

Glowing sticks of light will be handed out to participants, organizers say.

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