Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 29, 1995 TAG: 9511290035
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ALLISON BLAKE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"My oldest son," says the Radford mother, "is living with AIDS."
To help those who are - and to promote awareness among those who are not - World AIDS Day is Friday. Look for Peggy Eaton at the area's campuses, where she hopes her family's story will inspire students to be careful, and everyone to be compassionate.
"He told us four years ago," Eaton said of son Scott, nearly 33. "When he told me, I jumped in the car the next day and went down just to touch him."
Scott lives in Atlanta. But here in his family's home of 26 years, Peggy Eaton sees two big universities and a general population that is, at best, reluctant to talk about AIDS.
On campus, reactions to learning more about AIDS are mixed, says a student activist.
"Some are real receptive to [education], and some are real wary of us and try to avoid us like the plague," said Andrea Kanabar, president of the Coalition for AIDS Awareness at Virginia Tech.
This year's Worlds AIDS Day commemoration comes only one week after a stunning report reminds us that AIDS remains very much with us. One in every 92 American men aged 27 to 39 is believed to be infected with HIV, according to a report published in the journal Science.
"I don't think most people really get it, that [infection] is a potential for them," Cornelius Baker, of the National Association of People With AIDS, told the Associated Press.
According to the Tech-based coalition, 21 cases of HIV were reported in Montgomery County by June 30. And 21 cases of AIDS have been reported.
Eaton launched a support group for parents whose children have AIDS. She said she had a difficult time finding people to talk to following Scott's diagnosis.
"It isn't highly successful," she admitted. "People here don't want to talk about it. I'm just the opposite. I've got to talk about it."
She also talks to student groups. She hopes they are listening.
Campus activities this week include:
Distribution of brochures, red ribbons and condoms from an information booth outside Radford University's Heth Hall.
A memorial service at 11 a.m. Friday at New River Community College's Richardson Auditorium. Starts with magician Jeremy Greystoke, followed by speakers, including Eaton. Sponsored by New River Valley AIDS Coalition and New River Community student organizations.
AIDS information booths at Tech, where condoms, red ribbons, and brochures will be distributed. Look for them from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Litton Reaves Lobby and Pamplin Hall Courtyard, and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Owens Dining Hall.
The World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil. 7 p.m. Thursday, War Memorial Chapel, Drill Field side, Virginia Tech. Participants will walk to Burruss Hall, where the bells will ring at 7:30.
World AIDS Day Rally, at Tech's Drill Field, 2 p.m Friday . Features Peggy Eaton, Suzy Berger, San Francisco-based comedienne and AIDS awareness advocate, and others. At 8 p.m. in MyBryde 100, Berger presents "The Talking Cure."
Free, anonymous HIV testing always is available on Mondays, 5-7 p.m., at the Montgomery County Health Dept. in Christiansburg. A special clinic will be held on World AIDS Day, from 4:30-7 p.m. The office is on Depot Street, off Radford Road. Call 381-7100.
by CNB