A.N.G.E.L.S. active for awareness
The 3-mile walk took place in Piedmont Park, Atlanta, extending through local neighborhoods and bypasses. Thousands of participants and supporters from colleges such as Georgia State, and conglomerates such as Delta Airlines, lined the streets for entertainment, refreshments and information sessions. Booths were set-up to give browsers souvenirs and trial products for preventing contraction of the virus and aiding treatment. The event had two main speakers, Denise Stokes, a woman who had been living with the virus for nearly 30 years, and AIDS-advocator Leanza Cornett who was recognized as the first Miss America to have AIDS awareness as a platform. Both thanked members for involvement and in closing addressed the need for further knowledge and change in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
The AIDS Walk Atlanta event is currently the largest fundraiser for HIV/AIDS in the southeast. Unfortunately, AIDS rates in Georgia alone are still much higher, which makes Georgia the 6th highest state with the AIDS cases in the U.S. Generating millions of dollars per year, AIDS Walk Atlanta works to battle the HIV virus for Georgians as it raises money for research and nutritional support for HIV infected and affected persons. Taking heed to statistics, A.N.G.E.L.S campus members take a perspective to HIV that urges the GCSU student body to be engaged and take a stance.
Servant leader and A.N.G.E.LS campus president Tameka Dean has been an active leader and coordinator for the GCSU chapter of A.N.G.E.L.S since convocation and was greatly involved in planning for the walk and agenda. Believing that students can affect the course of action the disease takes, Dean encourages people like herself to be “apart of the prevention rather than a criticizer of the problem.” Dean leads A.N.G.E.L.S under the ideals of “making silent issues sound”.
As the number of AIDS cases continues to rise, supporters like Dean have come forth to be positive role-models for peers and fellow citizens. First time participants in the walk, freshman Biology major Monique Cummings and sophomore English major Chrissy Begeman shared feelings of excitement.
“I didn’t expect so many people to have the disease,” stated Cummings, “but I was amazed at how comfortable they made me feel in that environment.”
Begeman displayed equal optimism about the walk and is “looking forward to many more.” Both felt better informed after the walk while enjoying the experience.
As HIV continues to grasp every living soul, A.N.G.E.L.S members are hopeful that more students will be walking for a cure in the event next year.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Oct 24 2008. Filed under News.
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