Columbians, quilts commemorate World AIDS Day

About 80 people took confidential HIV tests.

By Andrea Kszystyniak and Rebecca Berg

Published Dec. 2, 2008

About 20 people gathered Monday night beneath 235 illuminated helium balloons in the Firestone Baars Chapel at Stephens College in commemoration of World AIDS Day and the 235 people in mid-Missouri who have died of the disease.

The tribute, which was followed by a procession down College Avenue, was but one in a number of events in Columbia held throughout the day to raise awareness about AIDS.

Earlier in the day, representatives from Sexual Health Advocate Peer Education, organized a memorial at Stotler Lounge in Memorial Union for those who have died from AIDS or are living with HIV. Attendees were offered free bagels and cookies, red bracelets and red ribbons.

Students who visited the display were encouraged to write notes in support of people living with HIV or people who had died from AIDS. The messages, which were written on red construction paper and hung in the lounge, ranged from general messages of hope to specific words of solidarity, concern, or love for family members and friends.

Nathan Hewitt, a SHAPE member who volunteered at the Stotler Lounge event, said the importance of learning about AIDS extended beyond those directly affected by the disease.

"Everybody is at risk for HIV/AIDS," Hewitt said. "It's not just gay men, not just low income people, everyone."

Free oral HIV testing was offered at Memorial Union in honor of World AIDS Day. Testing supplies were donated by Rain, an organization that seeks to increase awareness of various sexually transmitted diseases.

According to estimates provided by event organizers, about 80 people came to receive a confidential test.

Dustin Hampton, an education coordinator for Rain, conducted tests throughout the day.

"We had never done a testing event through Rain on World AIDS Day before, so we didn't know what to expect," Hampton said. "The turnout has been really nice."

The ceremony at Stephens College was hosted by an assortment of local HIV/AIDS relief organizations to recognize people who have lost their lives to AIDS.

Members of the local college communities, as well as those affected by the disease, gathered in the dimly lit chapel, sharing personal stories about their experiences with the autoimmune disorder.

Kimberly Wright, the operations manager of Rain explained the order of events for the evening.

"We'll be ringing the bell one time for each year that AIDS has been in existence," Wright said.

The bell was tolled 27 times as the crowd was asked to participate in a moment of silence before 235 red balloons were distributed. Attendees took masses of balloons and began the walk down College Avenue toward the Bond Life Sciences Center for a viewing of the AIDS Memorial Quilt.

Cale Mitchell, the executive director of Rain said that this event was solemn compared to most events the organization holds.

"This is an opportunity for people to come together, have community and talk about global issues," Mitchell said. "The world is changing its opinion about HIV and is not treating it with the gravity that it should be."

The families and friends of someone who has died from AIDS made the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Each individual was given a panel of fabric, which is stitched together with other panels to form a quilt. MU was allowed to have four for World AIDS day, all in memory of people from Missouri.

Karla Carter, the executive staff assistant to the director of the Life Sciences Center, helped arrange the event and said the quilts bring the disease closer to home.

"The quilts put a human face on the devastation of the HIV and AIDS disease," Carter said. "I think we were all speechless when we opened them. It's a sobering moment."