AIDS Quilt Display to Raise Awareness in Illinois

The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt is scheduled to visit Peoria, Ill., for the "second time in history" this December, the Peoria Journal Star reports. More than 560 names will be displayed, marking the second time "for a multi-story hanging in the quilt's existence." The first panel of the quilt was sewn in 1986, and since then people worldwide have "dedicated panels in memory of friends and loved ones afflicted with the disease." Central Illinois FRIENDS of People with AIDS is organizing the event and is raising $70,000 to finance the display. Organizers say about 80% of the money raised will fund services for people with HIV/AIDS and fund education about the disease. Nora Sullivan, co-chair of the Central Illinois Memorial Quilt Host Committee, said that AIDS education can "halt the spread of the disease." She added, "We can save lives in the community through public awareness. If people only knew this is such a prevalent disease that so many young [people] are contracting. The quilt can help show that" (McDonald, Peoria Journal Star, 10/30).