Championing the fight against AIDS

Hundreds of students and nonprofit groups will march together from different corners of campus today toward Bruin Plaza, where they will celebrate the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day.

Many will be wearing T-shirts reading, “20/20, see HIV/AIDS clearly,” and coming together to talk about the progress made toward treatment and prevention of HIV.

With “20” as a running theme for the day, an HIV testing van will be parked in front of Pauley Pavilion from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will provide saliva-based HIV tests with results ready within 20 minutes.

“UCLA students are more forward in promoting HIV and AIDS awareness,” said Phyllis Huang, a third-year neuroscience student and member of the AIDS Awareness Committee, which is a branch of the Student Welfare Commission.

“Last year it was pouring outside and people were still in line to get tested.”

Huang added that many people who get tested may know that they do not have HIV, but stand in line regardless to show they have no shame.

It is a process meant to remove the stigma associated with HIV and demonstrate that getting tested is an act of responsibility.

“Once you know your status, you can empower people ““ if you know your status for certain, then you can advocate for the cause,” said Turquoise Griffith, a fourth-year psychology and world arts and cultures student and a member of the AIDS Ambassadors.

This group works in affiliation with the UCLA AIDS Institute and has provided many of the materials for World AIDS Day at UCLA, including the HIV testing van.

In addition to the van, the Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center will be taking appointments for those who would like to be tested at a particular time, Huang said.

The entertainment portion of the day will begin at noon, when the groups of marching students will arrive at Bruin Plaza from the Hill, Dickson Court and the Court of Sciences.

The UCLA Dance Marathon committee organized this portion of the day, which will consist of speakers, band performances and children from Camp Kindle sharing their stories about how AIDS has impacted their lives.

“The speakers’ messages will show what we have accomplished and also help people realize that there is still work to be done,” said Afarin Davari, a third-year international development studies student and Dance Marathon member.

“We still need to take action to control the spread of HIV and AIDS,” Davari said.

Professor Thomas Coates, associate director of the UCLA AIDS Institute, said that progress has been made in recent years with preventing the spread of HIV.

Anti-HIV drugs are now being researched and would allow people to take a drug before sexual exposure. If HIV is present it would be killed before the infection occurs, Coates said.

In addition, there are now more than 20 HIV drugs available.

“The latest results show life expectancy can be 40 years after infection,” Coates said.

This stands in comparison to the rates which were once closer to 10 years before the infection would lead to death, he added.

Getting these treatments and preventative strategies to populations that are highly susceptible is one of the goals of World AIDS Day, he said.

UCLA’s World AIDS Day event will be held today instead of during 10th week because of the quiet hours enforced during finals week.

World AIDS Day is an international event that takes place on Dec. 1 of each year.

Communities everywhere will come together to share stories and spread awareness about preventing HIV, as well as pushing for early detection and equal access for treatment, Huang said.

“The event is definitely to remember those who died from AIDS, and also recognize that there is a lot to be overcome,” Huang said.

“We want students to realize that it is a huge epidemic and it is time to break down stereotypes and understand that this is not just something that is in Africa, but affects our peers also.”

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