AIDS Memorial Quilt on display
Nov. 30-Dec. 2

In observation of Dec. 1 as World AIDS Day, two panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display in the C. Bascom Slemp Student Center at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise Tuesday, Nov. 30 through Thursday, Dec. 2.

The panels, each a 12 foot by 12 foot square, will be suspended in the lobby of the C. Bascom Slemp Student Center. The display, which is free and open to the public, will be open for viewing from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. each day.

“Unfortunately AIDS continues to be a threat to people of all ages, especially college-age individuals,” said Jeff Howard, dean of students. “At least half of all new HIV infections in the U.S. are among people under age 25. We hope that the AIDS Quilt display and the College’s other educational activities planned around World Aids Day will help remind students that HIV/AIDS remains a significant health risk.”

In addition to the AIDS Quilt exhibit, the College’s Baptist Student Union will sponsor a blood drive on Thursday, Dec. 2. Red ribbons, the symbol of the fight against HIV/AIDS, and brochures with information about preventing the spread of the disease will be distributed to the campus community Nov. 30-Dec. 2.

The AIDS Quilt display is sponsored by the Student Government Association, the Residence Hall Association, the Student Activities Board, the Inter-Greek Council, the Baptist Student Union, the Wise County Health Department, and the Office of the Dean of Students.

Since its founding in 1987, the AIDS Memorial Quilt has evolved as the premiere symbol in the fight against AIDS and stands as the largest piece of community folk art in the world. Nominated for a Nobel Prize, the Quilt now weighs 54 tons and is comprised of more than 47,000 panels dedicated to more than 88,000 individuals who have died from AIDS. If placed end-to-end, the panels of the Quilt would fill more than 30 football fields.

The NAMES Project Foundation, Inc. is the international, non-government organization that is the sponsor of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. The mission of the NAMES Project Foundation, which has 22 chapters, is to preserve, care for, and use the AIDS Memorial Quilt to foster healing, heighten awareness and inspire action in the struggle against HIV and AIDS.

For more information about the AIDS Memorial Quilt, visit www.aidsquilt.org or call the national headquarters at (404) 688-5500.

For more information about the UVa-Wise display, contact the Office of College Relations at 276-328-0130.