Life Walk is a symbol of support

By Allie Blood
April 15, 2008

Freshmen Lexxie Lawson and Brittany Billingsley march around Stephens Lake at an AIDS awareness march organized by Rain on Sunday. Marchers held flags with red ribbons as they marched around the park, which was adorned with the flags.

Photo/Esten Hurtle

Freshmen Lexxie Lawson and Brittany Billingsley march around Stephens Lake at an AIDS awareness march organized by Rain on Sunday. Marchers held flags with red ribbons as they marched around the park, which was adorned with the flags.

Seven-year-old Columbia resident Micah Prenger tosses a bean bag through a hole while playing a game in Stephens Park prior to an AIDS awareness march organized by Rain on Sunday.

Photo/Esten Hurtle

Seven-year-old Columbia resident Micah Prenger tosses a bean bag through a hole while playing a game in Stephens Park prior to an AIDS awareness march organized by Rain on Sunday.

]Seven-year-old Columbia resident Margot Burns marches alongside her mother Tootie Burns at an AIDS awareness march at Stephens Park on Sunday. The march was organized by Rain, a regional STD prevention organization.

Photo/Esten Hurtle

]Seven-year-old Columbia resident Margot Burns marches alongside her mother Tootie Burns at an AIDS awareness march at Stephens Park on Sunday. The march was organized by Rain, a regional STD prevention organization.

In support of people living with AIDS, students and community members rallied for the Salute to Life Walk in Stephen’s Lake Park on Sunday.

The event was sponsored by Rain, a community organization that focuses on STDs, HIV and hepatitis.

Although it was cloudy and 40 degrees outside, a crowd gathered to play games and walk with flags around the park. Rain spokesman Dustin Hampton said this was the 15th year for the event.

“This is really to get awareness out, and support those living with HIV,” Hampton said.

Hampton said the event last year was at Flat Branch Park and the weather was warmer, so there were more people in attendance. This year, Rain supplied white flags with red ribbons in the corner for participants to carry as they walked. Flags were posted around the park and Broadway to increase awareness. Some marchers walked downtown with the flags to demonstrate their support. The rally lasted a few hours, and the walk lasted approximately half an hour.

“I think this sent a good message to the community acknowledging that HIV/AIDS is everywhere and can affect anyone, yet we support those living with and mourn the loss of those who have passed,” sophomore Missouri AIDS Awareness Coalition founder Jake Hammel said.

MAAC is a new student organization on campus, started by Hammel this year. Hammel said he and other members walked with Rain members, and said the support was “inspirational.”

In previous years, participants paid to walk in the rally, but this year donations were optional.

“It’s really more about support and awareness,” Hampton said.

He said the Trail to a Cure Rally in May would have some of its proceeds going to Rain.

Before the walk, Rain Director Christine Varner asked Pastor John Prenger of Charismatic Episcopal Church to dedicate the event with a prayer. He said that helping AIDS patients is important because they need compassion and love more than anyone.

“It’s the most right thing to do,” Prenger said.

Prenger said he was moved by the story of Francis of Assisi, Jesus Christ and the leper. The parable states that Francis hugged the leper out of love, though he risked contracting the disease. Prenger said that while people are scared of AIDS, they should act out of love and help those who are suffering from it.

“When you read the scripture it says to surround everything you do with love,” Prenger said.

Sophomore Tom Bachmann said promoting AIDS awareness around Columbia was the main reason he attended the rally. Freshmen Amanda Greer said despite the weather, the event was a success.

“Everyone still had fun,” Greer said.

The event began at 1 p.m. with games — beanbag tosses and tricycle races for prizes. Children and adults socialized and enjoyed refreshments. Some marchers had the Rain raindrop symbol painted on their cheeks. The walk could be seen from major roads, with the white flags against the grey sky.

“There was a lot of remembrance,” Hampton said.

Overall, Hampton said, the attitude was upbeat due to the nature of the rally.

“It’s optimistic,” Hampton said. “Looking forward to what can happen next, and what we can do for each other.”

Hampton said Rain promotes awareness and support for individuals suffering from HIV, STDs and hepatitis. They provide education, counseling and social services to those affected. According to its Web site, Rain’s mission statement is to provide comprehensive STD, HIV and hepatitis education, early detection, and care coordination, for at-risk individuals, families and communities.

In addition to the Salute to Life Walk, Rain participates in events for National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and National HIV Testing Day, among other related days. Rain also holds seminars to educate individuals and groups.

“Groups request us for testing and education, and we’re trying to expand that,” Hampton said.

Rain also drops condoms at bars and helps HIV or hepatitis C patients plan healthy meals and regular trips to doctors to make sure they’re staying healthy.

Share on Facebook

More April 15, 2008 Outlook Stories

Most recent Outlook Stories