The fight against AIDS was brought to Binghamton’s campus last Thursday when multiple student groups held events to commemorate World AIDS Day.
REACH, the Real Education and College Health student group, and the sisters of Sigma Psi Zeta sorority both independently tabled in the New Union throughout the day to encourage student awareness of the disease.
“We were just trying to spread the word of World AIDS Day, and the fact that it’s awareness education,” said Sherie Pope, a junior English and sociology major and the REACH special events chair. “We’re handing out condoms, safe sex kits and information on getting tested within the school and the county.”
World AIDS Day, which has been celebrated for the past 18 years on Dec. 1, was initiated in 1998 after a summit of health ministers met in London to discuss the world-wide impact of AIDS.
According to the National AIDS Trust (NAT), a British organization that organizes world-wide awareness events, the goal of World AIDS Day is “about getting involved so that everyone can make a difference in the global fight against HIV and AIDS.”
Sigma Psi Zeta, whose philanthropic causes center mainly around domestic violence, also handed out condoms and pamphlets of information on AIDS, which had been donated by the University’s Health Services and Binghamton’s branch of Planned Parenthood.
“The condoms were probably the most popular,” said Pearl Schneider, a senior business major and member of Sigma Psi Zeta. “I also printed a global fact sheet about AIDS from their (NAT) website. I just thought that since we have such a diverse student body here that they would be interested in learning about that.”
Schneider went on to say that although this was the first year the sorority had been involved in World AIDS Day, it is an event they plan to continue in the future.
REACH’s AIDS Day project also included the creation of a World AIDS Day quilt, which any student, faculty member or community member could contribute to.
“We had pens and felt markers and we had people come and draw whatever they wanted, a message or something,” Pope said. “We’re going to stitch it all together and display it.”
In addition, both groups handed out red ribbons which students could don to show their support for the fight against the disease. The ribbons were an integral part of this year’s World AIDS Day theme, entitled “Wise up and wear it.”
According to the NAT’s website, the ribbons serve as “a sign of support for people living with HIV and a symbol of hope for the future.”
Though not everyone passing by was willing to participate, both Pope and Schneider said they felt the overall turnout was a success.
“Some people got offended when I asked them if they wanted a ribbon, but most people have been responsive and very welcoming, happy to take a ribbon,” Pope said.