See pieces of the AIDS Memorial Quilt at Western Oregon University in honor of World AIDS Day

Natalie Pate, Salem Statesman Journal
·2 min read

Since the first cases were reported more than 35 years ago, 78 million people have become infected with HIV and 35 million have died from AIDS-related illnesses, according to the United Nations program UNAIDS.

Statewide, there are about 8,000 people with HIV or AIDS, including about 450 in Marion County and 75 in Polk County, according to available Oregon Health Authority data.

For 33 years, World AIDS Day has served to bring greater awareness to HIV, as well as commemorate those affected by the disease. It's now regarded as the longest-running disease awareness initiative of its kind in the history of public health.

The Monmouth/Independence Pride Planning Committee will hold a commemoration event for World AIDS Day at 7 p.m. Dec. 1 in the Pacific Room at the Werner University Center at Western Oregon University.

Tackling homelessness: Thousands of youth still in need of housing across Oregon

Besides acknowledging the tragic loss of loved ones and friends, one of the reasons for the event is to educate community members about AIDS and how it impacts everyone in local communities, organizers said in a news release.

The hourlong commemoration will include a welcome from representatives from Monmouth and Western Oregon University, as well as musical performances and a keynote address by Jason Dorsette, associate director for strategic communication at Oregon State University.

The Pride Planning Committee is also sponsoring an essay contest for local Central School District students with a cash prize for the top two entries, according to the release. Central School District Superintendent Jennifer Kubista will introduce the winners of the essay contest and they will read their essays at the commemoration.

CAN Community Health will display panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt during the Sarasota Art Museum’s Day With(out) Art 2021.
CAN Community Health will display panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt during the Sarasota Art Museum’s Day With(out) Art 2021.

In addition to the commemoration event, Western is hosting several panels of the National AIDS Memorial Quilt. Western is one of three sites in the Pacific Northwest to display the quilt and the only site in Oregon.

The quilt will be on display at the Werner University Center in the Willamette Room at these times:

  • Nov. 29: Noon to 7 p.m.

  • Nov. 30: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  • Dec. 1: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  • Dec. 2: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Werner University Center is located on campus at 400 Monmouth Ave. N in Monmouth.

To request disability-related accommodations to participate, notify Western's disability services department at (503) 838-8250 or ods@wou.edu at least three business days in advance.

Contact reporter Natalie Pate at npate@statesmanjournal.com, 503-399-6745, Twitter @NataliePateGwin, or Facebook at www.Facebook.com/nataliepatejournalist.

This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. Keep up on local news in Marion and Polk counties by becoming a Statesman Journal subscriber and get unlimited digital access to stories that matter.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: See pieces of AIDS Memorial Quilt at Western Oregon University