AIDS Walk Delaware to step off Sept. 16
AIDS Delaware and the Delaware HIV Consortium will jointly present the 37th annual AIDS Walk Delaware Saturday, Sept. 16, with walkers stepping off at 10 a.m. from Grove Park in Rehoboth Beach.
A concurrent walk will take place at Brandywine Park in Wilmington.
The walk is the state’s oldest and largest HIV/AIDS fundraising and awareness event. Funds raised help provide free, rapid HIV testing, medical case management services, HIV-specific mental health counseling, HIV education, prevention programs, housing and transportation services.
To register or donate, go to AIDSWalkDelaware.org. There is no fee to walk, and walkers who raise $30 receive a commemorative T-shirt.
This year’s AIDS Walk Delaware theme, Reignite the Community: Test, Treat, Prevent, Respond, ties directly to the four key strategies of the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative that aims to eliminate the HIV epidemic in the United States by 2030. It’s also a call to action for everyone to get reengaged in the fight.
“Our best chance of eliminating HIV is assuring people get tested, know their status, and if they are HIV positive, to get them into care and on a structured medical regimen. This helps them stay healthy and reduces the spread of HIV,” said Darcy Brasure, AIDS Delaware manager of counseling and testing. “People living with HIV who have an undetectable viral load have virtually no risk of spreading HIV to another person. There is also a prevention medication, PrEP, which is 99% effective at reducing the risk of contracting HIV. The goal is to create community awareness about PrEP and let people know how to get it.”
This year’s walk celebrates and honors some of the community members who have been fighting the battle against HIV and AIDS since the first case was diagnosed in Delaware in 1981.
In 1982, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance of Delaware established a health issues committee, which in 1984 officially became the Delaware Lesbian and Gay Health Advocate and eventually AIDS Delaware. These two organizations, a statewide AIDS hotline and a much-needed buddy system were all started by James Welch, Ivo Dominguez Jr., and their friends Joan Schwartz and John Wills. These are the Delaware pioneers who saw the need and responded. James and Ivo, along with 18 other community members who have contributed to the fight against HIV, will be featured on this year’s commemorative walk T-shirt.
Walk funds also benefit other HIV service organizations: CAMP Rehoboth, Ministry of Caring, Beautiful Gate Outreach Center, Latin American Community Center and William J. Holloway Community Program.
Walkers are encouraged to visit the knowledge neighborhood at their respective park before and after walking. Dogs are welcome at both locations.
AIDS Walk Delaware 2023 is being held as a courtesy of Ivira Pharmacy, presenting sponsor. Thanks go to other 2023 sponsors: AAA MidAtlantic, Alpha Phi Alpha, Astra Zeneca, Aqua Bar & Grill, Beebe Healthcare, Capital One, ChristianaCare, Corteva Agriscience, County Bank, Discover, Janssen Infectious Diseases & Vaccines, New Castle County, Rehoboth Beach Bears, Sussex County Council, ViiV Healthcare, Walgreens, We Work For Health and Young Conaway.
