At least 45 Penn State students are finalizing last-minute plans and recruiting more students to participate in the Campaign to End AIDS march tomorrow in Washington, D.C.

The march is part of the opening ceremonies for the four-day campaign planned to start at RFK Stadium at 10 a.m., then proceed toward Anacostia Park in Southeast Washington, D.C.

Penn State's Global AIDS Initiative (GAI), an on-campus organization sponsoring dozens of students in their efforts to advocate AIDS awareness, is organizing Penn State's participation in the event.

The march is intended to make an impact on lawmakers and spread international awareness for the cause, said Kevin Brehm, GAI's march coordinator.

"The march is to get D.C. lawmakers to understand [AIDS victims'] need and to have more focus on treatment," Ariel Kisler, GAI member, said.

GAI expects about 45 student representatives to attend and welcomes any more who want to help make a difference, Brehm said.

"It certainly is something that makes an impression," he said.

This is the first time GAI has participated in the Campaign to End AIDS march, though the group has been planning it for the past three months, said Temi Adeyeye, State College coordinator for the march.

The group has, however, participated in other similar events that were held in the Washington, D.C., area in past years.

Angela Kropf, GAI treasurer, has attended student marches before but anticipates this weekend's international event to make a larger impact.

"It's going to be even more effective," she said.

Adeyeye said that this event would also help attract students who weren't previously interested in AIDS awareness.

"It will let students see how things are in other parts of the nation," Adeyeye said.

Penn State's GAI chapter is dedicated to raising awareness about the AIDS epidemic, Brehm said.

The organization has been fundraising to support the student representatives as well as the overall cause, but the march is supposed to get the lawmakers' support, Brehm said.

"It comes down to money," he said. "We need billions of dollars to help the international epidemic, and that can really only come from Washington."

GAI commonly advocates through writing letters, making phone calls and "bird dogging" -- publicly asking questions of political figures to keep pressure on decision makers -- but is hoping the march is more successful, Brehm said.

"They won't be able to avoid it," he said.

Preceding the march, national caravans traveled across the country in hopes to spread education and awareness of the epidemic, Kisler said.

On Wednesday night, GAI hosted the Northeast caravan at the State College Municipal Building, 243 S. Allen St., which consisted of people supporting AIDS awareness, many of whom have tested positive for HIV.

Kisler said caravan members told participants about their need for medical treatment and the lack of it.

"Though not everyone agrees on the same issue, they all come together and agree that there needs to be more focus on prevention and treatment," Brehm said.

Penn State GAI has been active on campus for the past four years and consists of many members personally influenced by AIDS.

"A lot of people aren't aware of the scale of the epidemic," Brehm said. "We're looking to impact the political process."