monthly notes

Monthly Notes

This is the 19th World AIDS Day and the 25th year since the first case of AIDS was identified. The latest global AIDS figures give reason for concern and for some hope. The number of new infections rose to 4.3 million this year, and 2.9 million people died of AIDS-related illnesses (about 1/3 the population of London in 2001). At the same time, increased use of condoms, delay of sexual debut, and fewer sexual partners has resulted in declines in HIV prevalence among young people in several countries, especially within the past five years - hence the global focus this year on youth

As quilters and quilt lovers, probably the first thing you all think about when you hear the word, “AIDS” is the AIDS Quilt Project. Ten years ago, the NAMES Project Foundation displayed the AIDS Memorial Quilt on the National Mall in Washington. Stretched between the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument, it had 40,000 panels containing 70,000 names memorializing those who had died from AIDS. At 11:00 am this morning there will be a HIV/AIDS quilt unveiling and name-reading ceremony at the Unity Health Care’s Phoenix Center, 1900 Massachusetts Ave. SE., Washington, DC. The the quilt now has 48,000 panels with 91,000 names.

But, while the AIDS quilt is a survivor in this fight against this deadly disease, it has been dismembered so that many individuals can view its heartfelt and heart rending impact. Segments have gone out to more than 400 schools, universities, community centers, shopping malls and churches across the U.S., including about 20 sites in metro Atlanta. The largest portion of the quilt is located at the Quilt on the Quad at Emory University, with more than 650 panels.

Although the disease continues to spread along with portions of the quilt, the quilt itself is growing much slower than it once did. After taking in 40,000 panels in the first 10 years, the NAMES project has received about 6,000 in the last 10 years. Panel-making has not caught on in a widespread way among the African-American and Hispanic communities despite the fact that in 2004, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, African-Americans, who make up about 12 percent of the U.S. population, accounted for half the newly diagnosed cases of HIV/AIDS. Hispanics, about 14 percent of the population, accounted for about 20 percent.

One of the goals of the NAMES Project staff is to receive more panels from African-Americans and Latinos so that the panels can be sent back into those communities to raise awareness.

But my prayer for today is that the world comes to the point where no more panels will need to be added to this quilt. Ever.

© 2006 QuiltsHome.