Tami from Iowa on last night's Cedar Falls AIDS Vigil

Tonight we held our candlelight service in Cedar Falls on the UNI campus. Sen. Biden was speaking at an education forum at 4:00 p.m. on campus before the rally. I showed up early hoping that I could remind him of the candlelight service hoping he would come and light a candle with us. I didn't get to talk to him before the forum, but stayed for the end. Once he was done answering questions, I went up and told him I had met him at an earlier event in New Hampton. I had a picture of Adrian (my son) and I that I have given to other presidential candidates. I write on the back, AIDS funding saves lives, AIDS funding saves families with my address and contact info. I told him I hoped he would be able to come to the candlelight service, that my son would be there and would like to meet him. He made sure that a staffer knew where the event was taking place. He gave me a hug and told me he would be there.

We held off the rally as long as we could. There were about 70 health and wellness students there, (they were getting extra credit for attending-my thought is it doesn't matter what gets them there-as long as they hear the message). Joan Thompson spoke 1st, she is a health educator at UNI.

I then spoke about living with HIV for 14 years. Today, actually, would have been my 14th wedding anniversay had my husband not died of AIDS 11 years ago (Oct. 12, 1996). My son, Adrian, lit the 1st candle then others started their candle off the one he lit.

I told the students facts about HIV in Iowa and Globally. I asked them to sign up onto the o8-stop-AIDS sign in sheet, so they could stay connected in Iowa and know when presidential candidates were in the area. If they see a presidential candidate, please ask them what their AIDS policy was or when they would release it.

I then intorduced Jennifer Flynn from HealthGap. She listed several names of people who have died of AIDS. She led the group in a cheer (Jennifer, help me out-it's been a long day and I can't remember it right now). She gave info on domestic and global AIDS.

I also had the postcards to encourage Sen. Harkin, Obey, and others to sign on and pass the ETHA bill. Several students also signed up for CHAIN (Community HIV/Hepatitis Advocates of Iowa Network). I told them the work would not be done after presidential candidates leave, we have our Day on the Hill in Des MOines on Feb. 7th. Signing up for CHAIN would keep them informed about upcoming Iowa events. Good news is I didn't make enough copies for everyone, I told those who signed up for 08 listserve, I would post the CHAIN application on it once they were added so they could get an application. I have a speaking engagement tomorrow at the Cedar Valley Hospice, I am going to try and get the people in there to sign up for both. I will then send them onto you Scott.

After everyone blew out their candles and left, about 2 minutes later, Sen. Biden is heading our way. Hated that he missed it, but we couldn't have kept the students any longer, it was cold. He still lit a candle and we got a picture of him with my son, my mother, and my reluctant sister (she is very supportive to me, just doesn't like her picture taken). The press that was following Biden were taking pictures hoping one shows up somewhere.

I was asked by the Waverly editor if she could do a story on me. I go tomorrow morning for the interview.

Pretty good night, even with Biden being late. He is very supportive to us.

Tami Haught

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