AIDS Walk Atlanta To Be Held Sunday, Oct. 19

Published: October 2, 2003

ATLANTA—Many may ask, “Why should I participate in the AIDS Walk?”

There are many answers to this question. Many walk in remembrance of loved ones who have died of the disease. Some walk to support persons who are living with AIDS. Some walk to support agencies fighting to prevent the spread of this horrible disease, which has taken the lives of over 25 million people worldwide.

Nearly one million people in the United States alone have died because of the spread of AIDS. Georgia ranks eighth in the number of cumulative AIDS cases and seventh in the number of persons living with AIDS in the United States.

Because HIV/AIDS has no cure, people feel they must keep walking so they can promote services for those infected and affected by AIDS. Drug therapies, including protease inhibitors, are extending the lives of some people with HIV/AIDS. However, many of those infected cannot afford or cannot tolerate these combination therapies.

AIDS continues to spread rapidly through this community. By walking, people say, “Let’s act now—let’s prevent the spread of AIDS.”

In “Called to Compassion and Responsibility: A Response to the HIV/AIDS Crisis,” the U.S. bishops stated that “each case of AIDS has a human face.” Pope John Paul II verbalized that same message in his Urbi et Orbi Christmas message in 1988. He said, “I think of them all, and to all of them I say, ‘Do not lose hope.’”

The AIDS Walk Atlanta will take place on Sunday, Oct. 19 from 12:30 to 3 p.m. beginning in Piedmont Park. In addition to groups from various parishes, there will be an archdiocesan team walking under the banner of the archdiocesan HIV/AIDS ministry.

For further information, contact Irene F. Miranda, coordinator of the archdiocesan HIV/AIDS ministry, at (404) 885-7207 or imiranda@archatl.com.