Saturday, June 14, 2008

AIDSWALK 2008 Call for Quilt Panel Requests

Each year at the annual AIDSWALK Tucson, the opening of quilt panels at sunrise evokes many emotions and touches the hearts of those in attendance. The quilt panels come from The AIDS Memorial Quilt, which began in 1987 as a response to the AIDS crisis, and continues to today, as there still is no cure for HIV.

Twelve quilt blocks (made up of 8 individual 3’ x 6’ panels) are requested, displayed and lovingly packed and returned, by AIDSWALK committee members, Deb Van Sant and Greg Rogan. Their requests to the Names Project are directed by families, friends and loved ones who wish to see a panel for a particular person displayed. This year on Sunday, October 19, 2008 at The University of Arizona® campus, panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt will again be on display and over 6,000 people attending AIDSWALK will turn out to see them, as well as to walk and raise funds to support the programs and services of the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF).

SAAF invites the public to submit their request for a panel to be shown at AIDSWALK. Requests must be made by July 1, 2008 by calling the SAAF office at (520) 628-7223 and asking for Mae, or via email to mkrueger@saaf.org with ‘Quilt Panel’ in the subject. Provide as much information as you can about the panel you are requesting, including the name of the person, and if you know it, the particular block number. In addition, community members are invited to submit a panel in honor of those lost to HIV/AIDS, at AIDSWALK. There are detailed instructions on the www.aidsquilt.org website for how to create a panel, or call the SAAF offices if you need assistance, at (520) 628-7223.

The Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation provides care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS in southern Arizona, including case management, housing, transportation, a food pantry and a mobile meals program, medical and dental assistance and support groups. Equally important, SAAF provides outreach to groups at high risk of HIV/AIDS through seven different culturally targeted prevention programs as well as general community education to help reduce the risk of HIV.

For more information on AIDSWALK 2008, or submitting or requesting a quilt panel from the AIDS Memorial Quilt, please visit AIDS Walk Tucson's website or call the AIDSWALK hotline at (520)791-WALK (9255).

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