Heartfelt vigil shines light on HIV/AIDS community during UCLA Dance Marathon

The annual Dance Marathon hosted by the Pediatric AIDS Coalition at UCLA highlighted the lives of those with HIV/AIDS during an illuminating vigil.

After seven hours of dancing and fundraising, the vigil showcased stories from advocates and first-hand survivors of pediatric AIDS. Ashley Rose Murphy, an ambassador for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, led the series of youth beneficiary speakers, followed by members and beneficiaries of The Laurel Foundation. The vigil ended with an audience-engaging activity led by fourth-year integrative biology and physiology student and PAC’s Director of Engagement Jack Colby regarding the impact, prevalence and harmful stigmatization of HIV/AIDS. 

“HIV is not something of our past. HIV is something of our present. We’re here to bring voices to the 400 children born every single day with HIV or AIDS,” Colby said. 

Murphy spoke about her personal experiences as a survivor of AIDS. Being born HIV positive and later learning of her diagnosis at age seven, now 25-year-old Murphy reflected on the conversation surrounding HIV/AIDS and hopes to destigmatize the illness through her work with EGPAF. She said she became an ambassador for the foundation when she was 15 to challenge the taboo associated with the illness by teaching individuals and families about HIV/AIDS.