Today was the 22nd annual AIDS Walk here in Kansas City. It’s a chance for folks to come together in the fight against this hideous disease. The proceeds of the walk will benefit the four local AIDS organizations in town. One of them — SAVE, Inc. — is my personal charity of choice. It’s an organization I’m passionate about, one towards which I put all my energy and monies. SAVE provides housing options to men, women and children living with, or at risk for, HIV/AIDS. It’s shelter, safety and support for these folks all rolled in to one.
SAVE has had such a profound effect on my ad agency that they have officially embraced it as their charity of choice too. So when I put out the call to my co-workers about helping at the event, I had a healthy turnout. While thousands of walkers do their things, my team is the official “cheer squad”. We pass out a lot of hugs and pats on the back as walkers head in to the final stretch. My hand is actually sore from so many “high-fives” this morning.
AIDS is an unrelenting, unforgiving disease. Originally, identified in 1981, the epidemic has now spread to every part of the USA and to all sectors of society. More than one million people are living with HIV in the United States. And more than a half million people have died of the disease since the early ‘80’s. And that’s why everyone was out in full force today.
The weather had looked a little sketchy all week, but the heavy rain managed to hold out until the last few walkers had crossed the finish line. Whew! No rainbows, mind you, that would have been WAY too clichéd.