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“The Red Show” united the campus community on the global issue of HIV/AIDS on World Aids Day Monday night in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union. World AIDS Day is a day when individuals and organizations come together to spread awareness of AIDS/HIV as a global epidemic. According to the Center for Disease Control, there is an estimated 33 million individuals living with the HIV/AIDS worldwide.

Students, faculty and community members helped shed light on the issue during the event through song, spoken word and “red wear” fashion show. The event was sponsored by New Student Programs, Wesley Foundation Campus Ministry, EIU Pride, Eastern Reads!, the Health Education Resource Center, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Student Community Service and Students United for World Change.

Jennifer Cannon, a junior health studies major, was one of the participants in the fashion show who represented her organization “Success” and walked the catwalk as she held up a T-shirt in remembrance of her childhood friend who died from the virus.

Cannon said her friend died when she was only 9 and did not know what to think then because she was young herself.

“I thought she had a cold or something,” she said.

Cannon said the best way for students to show their support for such a cause is to get involved in campus and participate in events such as “The Red Show.”

“People need to realize that AIDS has no face, and remember those who pass on,” she said.

During the show, the event raised more than $950. All proceeds received for World AIDS Day will go to Partners in Health and the HIV Equity Initiative. Partners in Health is one of the first programs in the world to provide free HIV treatment and prevention service for patients in less fortunate countries.

Kimberlie Moock, director of New Student Programs said she was proud of all the support that was received at the event.

“This was the first year, and it was phenomenal,” she said. “Hopefully, we can use this as momentum to carry forward.”

Keila Lacy, coordinator for Student Life Programs also participated in the fashion as an “EIU celebrity.”

Lacy said the show was a great way to represent EIU for a wonderful cause, and HIV/AIDS is an issue that should be taken seriously.

Ebony Frazier, a junior psychology major, represented her sorority Delta Sigma Theta Incorporated.

“It was a good program, and it is serious about what is going on,” she said. “Hopefully, it can become a bigger event.”

Megan Zuber, president of Students United for World Change participated in a spoken word piece with individuals from different campus organizations.

“This is a good way to educate students that this is just not an American or campus issue, but it is affecting the world,” she said.

Jessica Leggin can be reached at 581-7944 or at [email protected].