AIDS Athens Executive Director Olivia Long choked up as she described how the disease still carries a stigma—families are afraid to talk about it, and many people don’t get tested like they should, even though it can strike anyone.
“We are still fighting, and in many ways, the virus is still winning,” Long said.
As part of AIDS Athens’ 25th anniversary, panels of the 54-ton quilt is on display in the Classic Center’s Grand Hall through Wednesday. The quilt commemorates about 94,000 people who’ve died of AIDS since 1987, including B-52s guitarist Ricky Wilson.
At an opening ceremony Monday night, attendees heard testimonies about AIDS Athens and read the names of local AIDS victims. The quilt is on display until 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Wednesday, with a closing ceremony at 5:30 p.m.
AIDS Athens provides emergency shelter, 30 subsidized apartments, utility assistance, health care financing, food, clothes and case management to people with AIDS and HIV.
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