The Miami Herald, Inc.; Thursday, February 20, 1997
Cristina Llado; Herald Staff Writer

TEXT: Almost 100 people carrying 45 commemorative quilts formed a procession across campus Monday to mark the beginning of AIDS week at the University of Miami.

"We have more than 70 quilts, but the wind kept us from taking out all of them," said Gisela Munoz, president of the organizing committee of A Week for Life. "All of them will be displayed during the next few days in remembrance and homage to those who have died."

In the next few days, there will also be conferences, seminars, panel discussions and parties -- one after another -- throughout Dade with one theme: AIDS, a devastating disease destroying South Florida.

But UM doesn't want the week to be a succession of sad or dramatic acts.

"We celebrate life," Munoz said. "We remember those who have died, but we put the emphasis on respect for life and on the fact that if you have HIV, it doesn't mean you are going to die."

What students do insist on is the necessity to prevent infection and the necessity to dispel the it-can't-happen-to-me attitude of many of their peers.

"It scares me, the many stories of irresponsible attitudes that I hear at the university," Munoz said. "Many people think that because they are not homosexual or they don't use drugs, they have no risks.

"If I can reach only one person this week, I'll be satisfied."

The week of activities culminates Sunday with the Ninth Walk Against AIDS that begins at South Pointe Park in Miami Beach to benefit Health Crisis Network. Organizers estimate that about 27,000 people will participate.

EVENT SCHEDULE

The University of Miami has the following events to commemorate AIDS Week this week. For more information about these or other events on campus, call 284-4483.

DAILY:

* Project Face to Face. An exposition of sculptured busts of people who have AIDS with their voices recorded, telling their stories, 9 a.m. at the Hillel Jewish Student Center.

* The Memorial Quilt. Exhibit of the university's memorial AIDS quilts, 9 a.m. at the Hillel Jewish Student Center.

TODAY:

* Free and anonymous AIDS testing from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the University Center Flamingo Ballroom C.

* Candlelight vigil at 8 p.m. at Eaton Collete Tieder Terrace.

FRIDAY:

* Feel Good Friday, a fair for volunteer workers, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Volunteer Service Center

* Film: And the Band Played On . 2, 7 and 9:30 p.m. at the International Lounge.

* Party for Life. Beginning at 7 p.m. at the Rathskeller.

SATURDAY:

* A concert celebrating life, with Nil Lara, at 7 p.m. at the University Center Patio.

CAPTION: photo: University of Miami students like Lourdes Eco carried 45 quilts commemorating people killed by AIDS (a)

A. ENRIQUE VALENTIN / Herald Staff IN REMEMBRANCE: University of Miami students like Lourdes Eco, right, carried 45 quilts commemorating people killed by AIDS.

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