|
27 years
have passed since the first case of
AIDS was
reported, and still the epidemic rages on.
Sadly,
AIDS is
now the leading cause of death for all
people ages 15 to 59 worldwide. While here
in the United States, the number of people
living with HIV has now grown to nearly 1.2
million.
According to
UNAIDS, “Every day, over 6,800 persons
become infected with HIV, and over 5,700
persons die of AIDS, mostly because of
inadequate access to HIV prevention and
treatment services.”
Fortunately,
compassionate people throughout the
United
States have formed AIDS organizations to
provide services, reduce the human suffering
and bring hope to people living with or at
risk for
HIV/AIDS.
The
National AIDS Marathon Training Program
was developed by Walk-The-Talk Productions
in 1998 to support the heroic efforts of
these agencies by raising funds and
awareness. In the past ten years, more than
20,000 people have successfully completed
this training program and raised $80
million.
Our mission is
to help our runners accomplish their
training and fundraising goals, enabling
them to make a significant contribution to
the
fight against AIDS. Our training program
is geared to beginners and experienced
runners alike who share a common goal -- to
bring an end to the AIDS epidemic. We have
training programs in Chicago, Los Angeles,
and the San Francisco Bay Area.
The benefiting
organizations --
AIDS Project Los Angeles,
AIDS Foundation of Chicago and the
San Francisco AIDS Foundation are
leading the fight against HIV disease both
within their local communities and in areas
of the world where the need is more urgent.
In addition to
HIV prevention efforts, they
offer a variety of vital services including
food, housing assistance, and health care.
They are also effective advocates for
people living with HIV/AIDS who too
often must face the additional battle
against ignorance and intolerance.
Thank you
for your support.
From:
www.aidsmarathon.com |
"lay down"
and give up. I think we all have the attitude/belief
that "it can't happen to me". I used to
think that way too. It is neat that you
are so engaged in life as well. Most of
us just sit on the couch and fill our minds
with the mostly uneducated T.V. programs, thinking
"there is always tomorrow", not knowing that
that is not always the case. Reading your story
is a refreshing shot in the arm. No pun
intended there. I hope that if you can
reach just ONE, that it will all be worth while.
Hopefully, you will reach more. I can
only imagine the frustrations that you have
had to endure. The judgements- I
thought people were over that. I guess
not. My mom has always told me to look
in the mirror twice. She hates peoople
that judge others as they are not "perfect"
themselves. I so not care for people like
that either. Sooo, maybe if one person
changes, then one more, and so on? Who
knows? We all have to fight on, I suppose. Sincerely,
Deb
