Remembering the victims of AIDS

By: David Greene

Posted: 12/1/08

Each year on Dec. 1, communities around the world are united for one cause: World AIDS Day.

People gather to remember friends and family who have been lost, to reflect on how far we have come and to remind others about how far we still have yet to go.

The symbol of this quest is a single red ribbon - a solitary reminder of so much death and pain, but, most importantly, hope for a cure.

This got me thinking about what we as a university have to offer. Reflecting on the theme for 2007 and 2008 World AIDS Day, "Leadership," I could not help but think UMKC has a responsibility to take the lead.

As an educational institution, a leader in research and a community member, we have an opportunity and a responsibility to bring awareness, to work toward a cure and always be a beacon of hope.

In March 2007, when the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS selected "Leadership" as its theme, it was meant to remind people of the dedication to find a cure.

Today there are more than 33 million cases of HIV/AIDS and the number continues to grow at a rate of 2.2 to 3.2 million annually, according to the 2008 UN report. In the United States there are more than 40,000 new HIV/AIDS cases annually.

The need for education still exists and the search for a cure continues to be a priority.

UMKC has a number of people researching HIV/AIDS; people like Kathleen Goggins, Ph.D., Carole P. McArthur, Ph.D. M.D., Julie Wright, Pharm.D. FCCP, Maithe Enriquez, Ph.D. RN, Ashim Mirta Ph.D. and many others.

These researchers are specialized across a variety of fields and do work that leads us closer to a cure. The work they do here in the Midwest and around the world is an example of our dedication to finding a cure.

On the Student Affairs side of the institution, there is continued education through Student Health & Wellness and the LGBT Office.

The offices support and lead open and frank conversations about safer sex practices, abstinence and personal health. The people in these offices give students the tools they need to live happier, healthier, safer lives.

In order to bring greater awareness to the issue of HIV/AIDS and in remembrance of those lost because of AIDS, two panels of the AIDS Quilt will be displayed this week along with various other awareness events.

On Monday, the panels can be seen in Pierson Auditorium. On Tuesday, the panels will be at the Health Sciences Building on Hospital Hill. Wednesday, the panels will be displayed at the women's basketball game in the Swinney Recreation Center. And then finally, on Thursday, the quilts can be seen during the men's basketball game.

If you have never seen the quilts, you should know that they are inspiring. It is a great honor to be able to display them for our students, faculty, staff and community.

Take a moment out of your busy life to see these tributes to those long past. They are a reminder of the UN's declaration to "Stop AIDS. Keep the promise."

For more information about UNAIDS projects, please visit their Web site at www.unaids.org.

Editor's note : David Greene, MA, is the Interim Assistant Director of Student Life and LGBT Programs Coordinator at UMKC.