Paint the Campus Red for World AIDS Day

Juanita Hunter, who has been HIV postive for 12 years, performs an interpretive dance at the World AIDS Day event at the Krannert Center for Performing Arts Monday, December 1st, 2008. Monday was the 20th anniversary of the first World AIDS Day.
Ned Mulka The Daily Illini

World AIDS Day was created to raise awareness on the effects of AIDS on people around the world.

At the University, the Registered Student Organization, Acting on AIDS, is hoping to “Paint the Campus Red” on Dec. 1.

“We are encouraging students to wear a red T-shirt on Dec. 1 to raise awareness about AIDS and its devastating effects worldwide,” said Jessica Libby, junior in FAA.

Acting on AIDS will also be doing a flash mob during cross walk times on the corner of Green and Wright streets, Libby said.

“We will stand still with heads bowed and arms crossed over our chests to get people to take notice and realize that AIDS is still here, it is still taking lives and it is still our responsibility to do something to stop it,” Libby said.

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Bringing AIDS to the forefront

Libby’s involvement with Acting on AIDS started when she witnessed the effects of AIDS first hand in Africa.

“I went to Zambia in 2007 and saw first hand the devastation that AIDS has brought upon so much of Africa,” Libby said. “Because of the scarcity of ARV’s and their price in combination with poverty and malnutrition, these children rarely get a chance to even grow up.”

In addition to “Paint the Campus Red” and the flash mob, Acting on AIDS will also be holding a display on the Quad, Libby said.

“This display is called 6,000 reasons to act because 6,000 children are orphaned by AIDS every day,” Libby said. “We encourage students to pick up a face card which has the picture and story of a child effected by AIDS in some way or another.”

Libby said they want to get the word out that there are ways to help the AIDS cause.

“AIDS is not a lost cause by any means and we simply want people to know that,” Libby said.

Some students do not think that people on campus are aware of being able to make an impact on helping the AIDS cause.

“I think a lot of people know what AIDS is but not how to help the cause,” said Melissa Peyton, sophomore in LAS.

Rachel Lee, sophomore in Business, said it’s important to take action and spread awareness.

“We need to ensure people are safe on campus,” Lee said. “We need to get students involved and spread the word.”

Also joining the cause on Dec. 1 is Starbucks Coffee. According to the Starbucks’ promotion, they are contributing $0.05 to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa for every hand-crafted beverage sold.

Libby said one of the most important things about World AIDS Day is to let people know that AIDS should not and cannot be ignored.

“It is a defining crisis and we will be judged by history by our response,” Libby said.