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Students brave wind and rain to commemorate World AIDS Day
Friday night, roughly 40 students gathered on the front steps of Fogler Library in recognition of World AIDS Day. In brisk winds and rain, they held a vigil to remember those lost to AIDS, to recognize those suffering and to hope for a cure.
[Complete story]

World AIDS Day: An Opportunity to Raise Awareness
World AIDS Day was first declared by the World Health Organization and the United Nations General Assembly in 1988. Since then, it has become one of the most effective and recognized international days for raising awareness on a global issue.
[Complete Story]

Peer Ed creates quilt for World AIDS Day
Make a square and be aware. Peer Education's message was clear to everyone who stopped by their table in Memorial Union this week.
[Complete Story]
 
 

The Age of AIDS
FRONTLINE INVESTIGATES THE 25 YEARS OF MISSTEPS THAT MADE HIV/AIDS ONE OF THE GREATEST PLAGUES IN HISTORY

On the 25th anniversary of the first diagnosed cases of AIDS, FRONTLINE examines one of the worst pandemics the world has ever known in The Age of AIDS, airing Tuesday and Wednesday, May 30 and 31, 2006, from 9 to 11 P.M. ET on PBS (check local listings). After a quarter century of political denial and social stigma, of stunning scientific breakthroughs, bitter policy battles, and inadequate prevention campaigns, HIV/AIDS continues to spread rapidly throughout much of the world, particularly in developing nations. Over 25 years, roughly 70 million people have been infected with the virus and 22 million have already died of AIDS. (click here for complete story.)

 

Students brave wind and rain to commemorate World AIDS Day

Mindy Hart

Source:The Maine Campus - Issue date: 12/4/06
 
 
Media Credit: rose collins
OUT IN THE COLD - Graduate Student Kyle Webster speaks about AIDS at the Know Your Status vigil Friday night on the steps of Fogler Library.

 
Media Credit: rose collins
SHOWING SUPPORT - Student Sonya Keene passes out AIDS ribbons to participants at Friday night's vigil on the steps of Fogler Library.

 
Media Credit: rose collins
MEMORIES - Nicole Rozanski, graduate student for Peer Education, talks with onlookers about the AIDS quilts on display in Memorial Union Friday.

 
Friday night, roughly 40 students gathered on the front steps of Fogler Library in recognition of World AIDS Day. In brisk winds and rain, they held a vigil to remember those lost to AIDS, to recognize those suffering and to hope for a cure.

The candle-less candlelight vigil opened with a few words from Kyle Webster, the university's coordinator of LGBT Services and a class of 2007 graduate student. He thanked those who came and encouraged the fight for the cure.

The number of participants doubled from last year, but Webster knows that it's not about the numbers. "This day and this event are about spreading awareness, and remember those who we've lost," Webster said.

Kenda Scheele, the senior associate dean of students, also shared a few words. She explained that AIDS has become a 25-year epidemic, and could become the worst epidemic in human history by the year 2220. An estimated 3 million people have AIDS; half a million of these are children. Many people see this as an LGBT community issue, but it's more than that. "It's everybody's issue," Scheele claims, "and sometimes that gets lost."

Nicole Rozanski, a UMaine alumna from 2006 and a peer educator, closed the vigil with a moment of silence. Afterwards, participants headed to Memorial Union to view the National AIDS quilt panels, which are on loan to the university from the NAMES group to display last Friday.

The National AIDS quilt dates back to June, 1987, in San Francisco, California, and has grown to about 45,520 panels and 83,000 names. The three sections on display in the Union atrium were 12 feet by 12 feet, with 8 panels each.

It doesn't cost any money to contribute a panel to the quilt, and there are more pieces collected every week. The panels were given to the university for World AIDS Day from the local chapter of the NAMES project, which uses the quilt in their ongoing fight to end AIDS.

Planning for this event began in September, but work has been done on the Know Yourself campaign since February of last year. "When people walk by and see this quilt, even just for a moment, it seems more real," explained Webster. "Because you look at a panel, and say 'Hey, this guy liked the same things I do.'"

Red ribbons were handed out, and the events were a huge success. "We're so glad," Webster said, "but it's not just about today, awareness and remembrance needs to occur every day."
 



 

World AIDS Day: An Opportunity to Raise Awareness
Source:by Congressman Mike Michaud, Representing 2nd District of Maine
 

World AIDS Day was first declared by the World Health Organization and the United Nations General Assembly in 1988. Since then, it has become one of the most effective and recognized international days for raising awareness on a global issue.

Education and adequate resources are critical components in the battle against the AIDS epidemic.  That is why, as the world recognizes World AIDS Day on December 1st, it is so important to continue to raise awareness and educate our communities about HIV/AIDS.

Since 1981, more than 25 million people have died of AIDS-related causes. Although expanded access to treatment is saving hundreds of thousands of lives globally, antiretroviral drugs still reach only one in five people who need them. 

According to the U.N.'s 2006 AIDS Epidemic Update, the HIV epidemic is growing, with an estimated 39.5 million people worldwide infected with the deadly virus.  In addition, the report said that 2.3 million of those living with HIV are children under the age of 15. 4.3 million people became newly infected last year, 530,000 of them children, and 2.9 million died of AIDS-related illnesses, 380,000 of them children. These numbers will continue to grow unless substantially more action is taken to combat this disease.  And while international efforts are doing a great amount of good, in many parts of the world the epidemic is simply outpacing the availability of aid.

This is a global problem that needs to be addressed aggressively.  World leaders, in cooperation with drug companies, need to improve upon their work and provide more than they already do.  Doctor Peter Piot, the head of the United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, had it just right when he said that we need to greatly intensify life-saving prevention efforts while expanding HIV treatment programs. This is a moral issue that requires true international cooperation.   The announcement this week that former President Clinton had brokered a deal for drug companies to provide low-cost AIDS drugs to children in poor countries is welcome news.

In the United States, it is estimated that are as many as 1.19 million HIV-positive individuals living in our country – the largest number ever according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, of these, between 252,000 and 315,000 people do not know that they are infected, and are suffering from a lack of treatment, while at the same time may be unknowingly spreading the virus. About 225,000 who do know their status are not getting the care they need.

Unfortunately, Maine is not immune to the epidemic. According to the Maine Center for Disease Control, since it began recording new HIV diagnoses in 1987, more than 1,500 positive HIV tests have been reported in the state.  As has been the case nationally, the annual incidence of HIV-positive diagnoses in Maine has declined, from more than 100 positive test reports in the late 1980s and early 1990s, to roughly half that number in more recent years.

Maine’s comparatively low rate of infection and the decline in new cases are both clearly welcome news, but the fact remains that an estimated 1,122 people in Maine have an HIV or AIDS diagnosis.  I am pleased that Governor John Baldacci has signed a proclamation declaring December 1st World AIDS Day throughout the State of Maine. This type of awareness is an important part of the worldwide effort to overcome this disease.

Whether you are living with HIV/AIDS and need to know what services are available in Maine, or you are an educator who would like more information, the State of Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services’ website has links to valuable information.  It can be found at www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/ddc/hiv_std_vh_resources.htm.  You can also call them for more information at (207) 287-3747.  In addition, the Maine HIV Prevention Community Planning Group has a number of helpful links on their website.  It can be found at: www.mehivcpg.org.

I am encouraged that so many individuals and organizations will use occasions like World AIDS Day to educate themselves and their communities about a problem that truly takes a global community to overcome.  Together, we can raise awareness and make a difference in the fight against the AIDS epidemic.
 

11/30/2006 2:14:40 PM

Peer Ed creates quilt for World AIDS Day

Khela Kupiec

Source:Maine Campus - Issue date: 10/29/04 Section:
 
 
Media Credit: laura giogio
QULTING CIRCLE - Katie Ackley and Emma Popewelch decorate squares for the campus wide AIDS quilt in the Union this week. Peer Education is creating the quilt for World AIDS Day and are encouraging all campus organizations to create squares.

 
Make a square and be aware. Peer Education's message was clear to everyone who stopped by their table in Memorial Union this week.

The student organization works as an information support group for students at the University of Maine. Promoting awareness on issues facing college students across the country, Peer Ed provides pamphlets on everything from study habits and stress, to safe sex and STDs.

"A lot of people have already learned about this stuff in school, but they didn't pay attention. Peer Ed doesn't lecture to [students], that makes the difference. If you talk one-on-one they listen more," said Darin Francechini, a member of Peer Ed.

This week, Peer Ed is hoping to make an impact by creating a quilt to recognize World AIDS Day on Dec. 1. The members are calling all individuals and university groups from language clubs to sports teams to decorate a square for the quilt and get involved in AIDS prevention.

In addition, the Deans of Students office, including Robert Dana, Kenda Scheele, Dwight Rideout and Angel Loredo have committed to providing at least one square each for the quilt.

AIDS has become a major worldwide epidemic since it was first reported in 1981, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease.

In the past 23 years, 830,000 cases have been reported in the United States. 950,000 Americans are estimated to be infected with HIV, with a quarter of that number unaware that they have the disease. Every six seconds someone new is infected with HIV.

"I think we can work with [AIDS], through educating people, raising their awareness, ideally improve the lives of individuals currently living with HIV-AIDS and prevent others from contracting it in the future," said Karen Judkins, member of Peer Ed in a recent e-mail.

Five to six years ago, another AIDS quilt was made according to Angela Fiandaca, graduate assistant to Peer Ed. The quilt made a big impression on campus awareness of AIDS and there was a lot of involvement from all the campus groups. The president of UMaine at that time also made an effort to decorate a square. Peer Ed hopes to have a similar turnout this year, and get as many people involved as possible.

"I feel education is the key to prevention," Hannah Ives, Peer Ed member, said. "STDs and AIDS can't be kept a secret any longer. It involves everybody. AIDS doesn't discriminate and people need to be aware."

Planning for this year's quilt is still being discussed. The squares will either be sewn into one large one, or a few smaller quilts depending on how the members plan to display the finished product. The previous quilt is currently sitting in the office of Peer Ed, because there is no place on campus to house a quilt of that size.

Starting Dec. 1 and continuing for the entire month, members are hoping to move the quilt around to different buildings on campus every couple of days to make a maximum impression.

"Part of the quilt's purpose is to offer a positive outlet to foster healing for people who have been affected by HIV-AIDS, whether that be contracting it themselves or simply knowing someone who has it or died from it," Judkins said.

"For me, being involved in this quilt is a big deal. It's a reminder that people are living with this horrible virus everyday and it's in support of their strength and perseverance, and not only them but their caretakers as well," Rebecca Woods, a member of Peer Ed, said in a recent e-mail.

Peer Ed will be setting up a table in the Union for the rest of the week from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is no cost for participation and members urge students and faculty to stop by. Groups on campus can contact Peer Ed if they would like to make a square.

"I think it's great to show your support," said Serena Gross, while designing her own square for the quilt.

"There has been lots of positive participation and we would like a lot more," Franceschin said. "People should come by and make a square. Come show your support for AIDS awareness."