Sunday marked the 43rd anniversary of World AIDS Day, a time that remembers the official documentation of AIDS entering the human race.

To remember those who have been affected or who have lost their lives to HIV/AIDS, the UST Allies club created a candlelit walk and processed from Koch Commons to the Anderson Student Center Wednesday night. The night continued with a presentation from theology professor Kim Vrudny.

UST Allies board member Cole Lulic said the walk was meant to be symbolic of the people who have lost their lives to HIV/AIDS.

“We thought it would be a good idea because candlelit walks are kind of a very symbolic thing, and the reason of (the walk) is that we are going to be walking in silence as we have our candles,” Lulic said. “It’s supposed to be remembering the people who have passed from (HIV/AIDS).”

Vrudny’s presentation involved her own “30 years/30 lives” project, which documented 30 stories of people suffering with AIDS on the 30th anniversary of World AIDS Day. Vrudny collected stories from South Africa, Mexico, Thailand and even Minneapolis.

“I was marking the anniversary by telling 30 stories from those countries, and so tonight, I talked a little bit about the ethics and the structural drivers that are driving the pandemic,” Vrudny said. “These three stories that emerged from the 30 are about what some folks around the world are facing when they acquire an HIV infection.”

Junior Alex Gonzalez said the presentation was her favorite part of the night.

“Showing the images of all the people she met that were affected with AIDS … their stories were very inspiring,” Gonzalez said.

Vrudny says the real issue for Minnesota and the United States lies in AIDS awareness.

“One in 500 college students in the country is infected with HIV, so if folks think that they’re not at risks on college campuses, they truly are— whether they’re gay or lesbian or heterosexual,” Vrudny said.

Lulic said the walk’s goal was to demonstrate the severity of the AIDS epidemic to St. Thomas students.

“It’s a very important thing to raise awareness about it and to inform people about the harsh effects that AIDS can cause if you’re not safe, and also just to know about it and be aware about it,” Lulic said.

Alison Bengtson can be reached at beng4632@stthomas.edu.