Students promote AIDS awareness

Hundreds of students – all clad in black T-shirts with red ribbons, the symbol of HIV/AIDS – marched into Bruin Plaza on Friday in celebration of World AIDS Day, an event created to promote knowledge and sharing of one’s HIV status in order to end the spread of AIDS.

As the sea of black made its way to the center of campus, T-shirts were thrown to passing students with cheers of “Come follow us,” and “Know your status.”

“We’re here today to celebrate life and think about all the people affected with HIV/AIDS and what we can do,” said Taneen Jafarkhani, who helped lead one of the three processions and is the community education director for Dance Marathon.

“Kiss and Tell,” the theme for the day, was advertised to encourage healthy sexual practices through increased communication between partners.

Students at the rally said they believe World AIDS Day is an important event because the disease affects people around the world and is rapidly becoming an epidemic.

More than 40 million people are affected with HIV/AIDS in the world today, leading to over 3 million deaths in 2006 because of the disease.

“AIDS is a disease that hits the entire world,” said Aviva Altmann, director of Dance Marathon, who stressed that AIDS awareness is crucial because the disease is extremely preventable.

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“We can stop the disease from new infections. It just takes spreading the word and getting involved in the cause,” Altmann said.

Dawn Everitt, who was diagnosed with HIV in 1988, spoke in Bruin Plaza on Friday and praised students for educating themselves about HIV/AIDS. She said that by going out and getting tested students are helping “take all the shame, blame and stigma out of (AIDS).”

The daylong celebration included a performance by the band The Elevators, guest speakers, rapid anonymous HIV testing units and numerous workshops and art exhibits. There was also a candlelight vigil at the UCLA Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Campus Center.

All activities were organized by the UCLA AIDS Institute, the World Arts and Cultures Department, Dance Marathon and several other organizations and student groups.

Student organizers said the day was a success because students were informed about HIV/AIDS prevention and education just by stopping at the rally in Bruin Plaza.

Altmann said she believes the band and the energy of the crowd helped draw onlookers and focus attention on the positive things students can do to help prevent AIDS, rather than focus on the stigma associated with the disease.

“Everything was upbeat and fun. We wanted to have a good time and be out here celebrating,” she said.

Scientists learn new information each day about AIDS and ways to treat and prevent the disease, said Versha Srivastava, co-director for the AIDS awareness committee of the Student Welfare Commissioner’s office.

People do not have symptoms during the initial stages of HIV and it takes time to know that they may have the disease, she said.

Mobile testing units were available during the day and free testing was available to students.

“It’s important to know your status so that you don’t transmit the disease to others,” Srivastava said.

Jake Glaser, a spokesman for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, which Dance Marathon directly benefits, said World AIDS Day is beneficial because it promotes conversation among people due to the its possible influence on their lives.

He added that AIDS education should happen on a normal basis in everyday conversation, not just on specific days.

“It’s everything from events like this to two people talking in the food court, which communicates that every little bit helps,” he said.

Everitt also said students should not let their efforts in the fight against AIDS end with the conclusion of the day.

“Go out and have conversations about HIV. We don’t talk about it enough,” she said. “It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do. There is power in knowing (your status).”