The Quilts

On Sunday, October 11, 2009, the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF) and Title Sponsor Desert Diamond Casino and Hotel will be hosting the 21st annual AIDSWALK Tucson on the mall at the University of Arizona.  An often over-looked but hugely important part of AIDSWALK is the Quilt-Opening Ceremony.  For the past nine years Deb Van Sant and her partner Greg Rogan, have poured thier hearts and souls into bringing quilts from around the country to Tucson to be displayed at AIDSWALK.  "It is exhausting but rewarding work", says Greg.  "I get more enjoyment out of this than I do going to work every day - it is a labor of love," notes Deb.

Each year, Deb and Greg gather requests from community member who would like to see the quilts of their loved ones.  They then go through a process of requesting these quilts from The Names Project, a care-taker of the national AIDS Memorial Quilt.  Often, this is a rare opportunity for families to see their loved one's quilt displayed locally.  "Last year, a gentleman who had made a quilt panel for his former partner was able to view the quilt for the first time in 16 years," notes Deb.  It's moments like these that occur each year at the quilt-opening ceremony at AIDSWALK, that make this such a powerful event.

This year, 12 quilts will be on display, 6 of which will be children's AIDS quilts.  One of these quilts belongs to the family of Benjamin Saar, the first child in Arizona to be lost to AIDS.  Benjamin was 8 years old when he died.  "We want to bring HIV/AIDS awareness to youth this year through the quilt" says Greg.  In keeping with the children's theme, this year's quilt-opening ceremony will feature a performance from Tucson Girls's Chorus, and local youth ahve been invited to join in opening the quilts.   In addition, Tena Moyer will be performing an original musical piece, and Reverend William Knight will be giving an address at the ceremony. 

The quilt-opening ceremony will take place at 8:15am on the mall at the University of Airozna.  For those of you who have never been to the quilt-opening ceremony at AIDSWALK, it is an experience not to be missed! 

Photo Credit:

Scott Griessel, Creatista