To the editor:

Recently I saw a car with a few of those magnetic ribbons on it. The yellow one for supporting our troops, the pink one for breast cancer awareness, and the red was NOT for HIV/AIDS but said “GO CHIEFS!” I was astounded. I thought surely this must be an individual’s handiwork. But at the convenience store I saw it was a manufactured piece of sports paraphernalia. And next to the Chiefs ribbon was a blue (same color as for child abuse prevention) ribbon for the Jayhawks.

It disturbs me that a ribbon that is meant to remind suffering people that people are supporting them has turned into a commercial for a sports team.

October is National AIDS Awareness Month. It is difficult in this country to find information on this observance and one won’t find many people wearing the red ribbon anymore. Yet, at least 40,000 people in this country are being infected each year. And half, yes half, are between 15 and 25 (National Institutes of Health, HIV Stats, 2004).

Our community is not immune to HIV/AIDS. There are people who are living with the virus who need our support. There are also many, MANY young people right here who are putting themselves at risk who need our leadership. Won’t you please help us reach them by refusing to trivialize the AIDS ribbon with a sports team but to wear it for AIDS Awareness Month?

Geri Summers,

Douglas County AIDS Project,

Lawrence