Elon students raise awareness about AIDS Adam Smith - Reporter Ricky Yow, an Alamance County resident living with AIDS, spoke to students about his experiences. He recently began an organization called Global Wheel of Hope to increase awareness about the disease.
Tim Rosner/Photography Editor
Ricky Yow, a resident of Alamance County living with AIDS, spoke to a small crowd in Moseley Center during AIDS Awareness Week at Elon Nov. 18-23. He recently began an AIDS organization, Global Wheel of Hope, to increase awareness, and he spoke to students and faculty about what it is like to live with the disease.
When he was first diagnosed, Yow retook the test, not being able to accept that he was positive.
After being diagnosed, Yow said, "I never planned on a future." Of the 15-20 people Yow used to be close friends with, "there are only two of us left." Most of his friends have died from the disease.
"It’s a blessing I’m still alive and can speak to people today," he said. Yow, who will turn 40 this year said he believes the big problem with teenagers is the lack of education on the subject of HIV and AIDS. "I want to see young people make good choices," he said. "Young people are making up most of the numbers of new infections."
Elon Cares, the HiV/AIDS awareness group on campus, planned several events throughout AIDS Awareness Week. Nationally held the first week in December, the awareness week at Elon was recognized early because of a conflict with finals.
Throughout the week, a table was set up in Moseley Center, where volunteers handed out bags filled with brochures and condoms, as well as the famous red ribbon. AIDS awareness is important, coordinator Steve Wagner said, "because AIDS is a disease that can be prevented with education."
The awareness week ended with the sex-trivia game show at Midnight Meals in the Zone. "Let’s Talk About Sex," the jeopardy-styled show, attracted a large audience. Categories for the show included prophylactics, "sextras," HIV/AIDS and STDs. Audience participation questions were asked between rounds.
Wagner says the event was successful, because "it brought together the critical information of AIDS and STDs while incorporating fun and humor."
The movie night on Monday and the speaker on Wednesday had small crowds, but both were important events, Wagner said. Next semester, Elon Cares will sponsor another awareness week to draw more participation from students.
With infections in college age students growing, it is important for students to know the risks and consequences of their actions, Wagner said.
from: http://org.elon.edu/pendulum/Issues/2002/120502/News/Yow.html