[media-credit name=’JEFF SCHORFHEIDE/Herald photo’ align=’alignright’ width=’336′][/media-credit]University of Wisconsin students gathered Wednesday to promote safe sexual practices in an effort to raise HIV/AIDS awareness in the university community.

One of the guest speakers, Maria Davis, talked about her experiences living with AIDS for the past 12 years, many of these years spent leading lectures and conferences to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS.

"Twelve years ago, I was supposed to be dead," Davis said. "I wasn't supposed to see my daughter go to college."

Davis found out she had HIV in 1995 when doing a routine health check. By 1998, she had lost more than 30 pounds and had been hospitalized several times.

"[The doctors] asked me one question: 'Do you want to see your children grow up?'" Davis said.

She has lived to see her son grow to be 24, and her 18-year-old daughter started her freshman year at Morgan State University this fall.

"I was right at the prom, getting my boogie on, proud that my daughter was there and I was able to be there," Davis said.

When asked how she handles daily struggles and fights her disease, Davis said, "I'm alive, so I can handle it."

During the lecture, Davis also stressed the importance of raising awareness and education among college students.

"Education is so important, I'm not only talking about HIV education. I'm talking about education, period," Davis said. "Your mind is so busy being informed that you don't fall victim to so many distractions we have out there."

Frenchie Davis, who was also a guest lecturer at the event, said it is important to be active on campus and work toward educating the college community.

"A lot of people don't make it to the holidays," Frenchie said. "Some of these kids [with AIDS] don't make it to Christmas."

Maria Davis said people with AIDS have just as much need as any other person, and being active is essential to raise awareness on the issue.

"People with AIDS are beautiful, too. We like milk, we like cookies, and we use sanitary tissues," Maria said. "As soon as you leave this room, I hope you're all going to tell somebody."

UW freshman Megan Smits said the event was inspirational and the message was very necessary to the local community.

"This is the kind of message that we need to be getting out. This is the real stuff," Smits said. "Everybody has got to educate themselves about AIDS and STDs and unhealthy lifestyles and be open about it."

The lecture was part of a weeklong event sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

According to fraternity president Leonard Taylor Jr., Alpha Week is a yearly event devoted to debate issues relevant to the university community.

This year's event, devoted to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, will run until the end of the week. It includes a dance Friday and a comedy show Saturday.

"If you're willing to die for education and justice, I'm with you," Maria said. "But if you're willing to die for a one night stand, a minute of pleasure, then you're on your own."