Submitted by Pierce County AIDS Foundation
Three Washington State HIV/AIDS organizations have joined forces to realign their largest awareness and fundraising events. With a combined history of 68 AIDS Walks over 30 years, this collaboration is a new and innovative approach that brings the Seattle, South Sound and Spokane regions together around a common goal: to build momentum and awareness statewide that through a reduction in new HIV infections, an End to AIDS in Washington State is possible.
“In our 24th year of walking, we are excited to be a part of this collaboration that renames the AIDS Walk in a way that reflects the changes and advancements of the HIV epidemic over the years,” states Duane Wilkerson, PCAF’s Executive Director. “The new name and partnership sends a powerful message to communities throughout Washington that we can reduce new infections and end AIDS in our state, and that we can end the stigma that many living with the disease still experience. We are committed to this and know that thousands of people in our community share this vision.”
The three organizations, which collectively served nearly 6,000 people living with HIV, are all part of the End AIDS Washington campaign, which was launched on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2014, by Governor Jay Inslee. End AIDS Washington is a partnership among community stakeholders working together to reduce new HIV infections by 50 percent over the next five years. When the goal is reached in Washington, the HIV transmission rate will be one of the lowest in the United States.
Rates of HIV infection in Washington are decreasing slightly in recent years, however there are about 510 new cases each year and over 12,000 people estimated to be living with HIV. (Source: Washington State Dept. of Health, End AIDS Washington 2020, an Overview.)
Although it is true that HIV and AIDS is a chronic, manageable disease for most, people still die from AIDS-related complications. Those who are living with the disease may encounter challenges accessing and adhering to treatment or struggle to be accepted by their community. That’s where organizations like PCAF, Lifelong, and SAN come in, to provide resources and support for years to come. The launch of the End AIDS Walks is a testament to a continued, unified effort to end AIDS once and for all.
The End AIDS Walks are all operated independently of each other and will benefit their local communities. The South Sound End AIDS Walk will be held in Tacoma on Saturday, September 12 (benefiting PCAF) and the Seattle and Spokane walks will be on September 22 (benefiting Lifelong and SAN).
For more information on the End AIDS Walk in your community, visit www.endaidswalk.org
