“I walk because”… one of my best friends, Leo Brown of NYC, died of this horrible disease AIDS way back in 1991, when he was only 49 years old. Another brilliant high school friend died at the age of 39, also from Aids. He was a gifted medical doctor and the only person I know from my rural sugar plantation village to graduate from Harvard Medical School. AIDS has taken a lot of talented young people all over the world.

Aidswalk 2009 bookmark

Sunday October 11, 2009 is the date for the upcoming 21st Tucson Aidswalk event, once more to be held at the U of A. The official website is: www.aidswalktucson.com sponsored by the Southern Arizona Aids Foundation. Blogger Mark Kerr “Tucson Observer” has already blogged on this event, but I wanted to repeat it for the readers out there.

I am usually able to raise about $200 to $300 each time I participate in Aidswalk. A few years ago I was interviewed by a reporter from this newspaper, as to why I walked.

My niece Tiffany raised an astonishing $3,000 for the Honolulu Aidswalk this past April. I’m so proud of her for caring so much to help this cause.

“This year’s message, I walk because…it allows people to share their story. I walk because…every 9½ minutes someone is infected with HIV. I walk because…approximately 2 young Americans under the age of 24 become infected with HIV every hour of every day. I walk because…everyone has an HIV status. I walk because… ”

Thousands and thousands of people show up on the U of A mall– to run the 10K, walk the 5K, check out the educational booths, snack on free food and listen to the entertainment, lend support, socialize, etc.

“I walk because”…this event is all about community in Southern Arizona.