AIDS Quilt to be on display in rotunda

By Valeta Cameron

An AIDS Quilt panel from Washington, D.C., will be displayed at Flagler during World AIDS Week, Nov. 28 – Dec. 2.

This event is largely due to the efforts of senior Kerry Kelly who has worked as an intern and a volunteer with HIV/AIDS outreach Health Education at the Health Department.

Lynne Reed of the St. John’s County Health Department welcomes the support from Flagler College and their continued efforts in spreading the message.

“Flagler College has made strides the last year to include open discussion of health issues as well as free testing on campus,” Reed said.

The St. Johns County Health Department has made arrangements for the Quilt panel display around St. Augustine. At Flagler, the quilt will be unveiled in the college rotunda. Along with the college, Quilt panels will also be on display at Flagler Hospital, The St. Augustine Record, Limelight Theater, and the Health Department. Each of these organizations have volunteered to participate in World
AIDS week, recognizing the event as a significant issue worth promoting.

“The importance of the World AIDS has created the need for there to be an entire week devoted to AIDS awareness, celebration of survival, and of recognizing a disease that affects everyone. AIDS does not discriminate; it attacks men, women and children of all colors,” Reed said.

World AIDS day is Dec. 1 of every year. According to the Names Project Foundation, the organization assembling the quilt, the AIDS Quilt is a poignant memorial, a powerful tool for use in preventing new HIV infections, and the largest ongoing community arts project in the world. Virtually every one of the more than 40,000 colorful panels that make up the Quilt memorializes the life of a person lost to AIDS. As the epidemic continues claiming lives around the world and in the United States, the Quilt continues to grow and to reach more communities with its messages of remembrance, awareness and hope.

Kelly has been working along with the Health Department for this event, as well as other health related issues spreading awareness. The information provided from this event, she feels, should be made aware to the college community.

“I am glad Flagler has decided to display the panel,” she said. “This event is a big deal, and we want to inform everyone about AIDS awareness.”

Mon. Nov. 28, at 6 p.m., will be the opening ceremonies unveiling the Quilt panels around the county. There will be a conference at Shands Jacksonville for HIV/AIDS clients Nov. 29. On Wed. Nov. 30, at 6 p.m., there will be an Awareness Dinner at the Willie Gallimore Center featuring speakers and presentation of awards.

Thursday, Dec. 1, is the World AIDS Day Candlelight procession from the Cross on San Marco Avenue and a World AIDS Day Service at the Prince of Peace Church, starts at 7 p.m. at the Cross. Sun. Dec. 4, the week concludes with a Celebration of Life Service at the First Coast MCC featuring the quilt display, a Health Department display and special music.

For more information about these events, contact Lynne Reed of the St. Johns County Health Department at (904) 825-5055 ext. 1125. Information about World AIDS day or the quilt can be found at: http://www.worldaidsday.org/ or http://www.aidsquilt.org/.

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