No place in the world that has reported HIV can say that its spread has stopped, only slowed. There are 15,000 new infections daily. While you're reading this, someone in the world is being infected. Thirty-six million people globally are living with HIV/AIDS. Nearly 50% of that number is comprised of women. In June it was reported that an estimated one in three same-gender-loving men of African decent were living with HIV. By the year 2000, most people in the large urban cities of the United States could say that they know someone affected by or have met someone that is living with HIV or AIDS.
This past June, the world was reminded of the 20th anniversary of the discovery of HIV. Just when some people thought that HIV was a manageable disease, we are informed that AIDS is the leading cause of death for African Americans between the ages of 25-44. Something those of us who have been following this history of the virus know is that people of color and women have been disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS from its very discovery. This anniversary year has seen many people reenergize their efforts to continue to fight. For some, it has given them reason to try and make a difference in their families or communities. We were reminded that we couldn't become complacent about this disease. Current medical treatments are failing and causing horrific side effects. Resistant strains of the HIV virus have already been documented on both coasts of the United States. The reality is that HIV/AIDS is far from over.
On Sept. 23 at Chicago's Lakefront Museum Campus, the Chicago Run and Walk for AIDS will be held. There will be a 5K Run at 9 a.m. and a 5K Walk at 10 a.m. There will also be a Sunrise Celebration of Life that will pay homage to those that have traveled before us at 7:30 a.m. I have the honor of being one of three spokespersons for this year's event. I share that honor with my partner Anthony M. King, RaeLewis-Thornton and Edward Negron. I'm also humbled to be in the presence of Merri Dee of WGN television, a woman who has lent her time and tireless efforts to raising awareness in communities of color.
This will be the second time that I have participated in a Walk for AIDS in an effort to raise awareness and needed funds for HIV/AIDS. October of 2000, I participated in the first annual Southern Illinois AIDS Walk hosted by the Southern Illinois Regional Effort for AIDS ( SIREA ) , which was held in Carbondale, Ill. My partner Anthony served as a board member and helped organize the event. I must admit that before I went, my thoughts were that it would've been too emotional of an experience for me. It scared me to think of all of the old wounds it would reopen simply by being part of the experience.
I was amazed in attending last year's Walk in Carbondale that it was an uplifting and rejuvenating experience. Being surrounded by other people that shared a passion to make a difference in the lives of other human beings affected by HIV/AIDS is almost indescribable, especially when you're living with HIV and have witnessed the devastation since the disease was discovered.
Although there has been bad press in the past about the AIDS Walks that have been held here in Chicago, things have definitely changed over the past couple of years. Chicago's Run & Walk for AIDS is owned and operated by the management firm of Chicago Special Event Management. The event's proceeds after administrative costs will be used to fund a variety of HIV/AIDS projects and services through The AIDS Foundation of Chicago ( AFC ) and its long-established grant-making program. Researching the history of AFC is what helped make my decision to be a part of this year's Run and Walk for AIDS including several conversations with David Munar, AFC Associate Director of Policy and Communications.
AFC is the largest source of philanthropic support for AIDS programs in the Midwest and has provided nearly $11 million to support AIDS care, prevention, education and advocacy projects in the Chicago metropolitan area. AFC has been a provider of crucial funding to several Community-Based Organizations that serve and are run by people of color in the fight against HIV/AIDS, including the transgender component of our community which is often over looked, if not ignored!
With the ever-constant financial cuts in funding for HIV/AIDS through the federal government, coupled with the Bush Administration's action in not providing any additional Ryan White funds, we must help support efforts against AIDS with financial contributions in order to sustain and expand desperately needed prevention and care services. This can be done by either walking or donating to the Chicago Run and Walk for AIDS.
We've seen with the making of the 20th anniversary of HIV/AIDS that we must come together as a community. We must talk to one another about HIV/AIDS, especially to our youth. We must work together to raise awareness. This is why I am walking and have chosen to be part of this year's AIDS Run and Walk in Chicago on Sept. 23 and I hope that you might be able to join me in this fight.
For more information on the Run and Walk you can visit their website at www.
chicagoevents.
com or call Chicago Special Events Management at 773-868-3010. For more information on HIV/AIDS and the organizations that AFC supports, visit www.aids chicago.org or call the AIDS Foundation of Chicago at 312-922-2322.
