San Francisco holds annual AIDS Walk, thousands attended
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (CBS, KYMA/KECY) - Around 2,000 people marched through Golden Gate Park on Sunday for the annual AIDS Walk San Francisco, including Susan McClain and her daughter.
"It’s hard to believe...I’m 55 and in 1985, it was thought to be over, we’d find a cure. But unfortunately, we’re still fighting," McClain shared.
People have been coming together for the AIDS Walk since the 1980s, as a way to raise awareness, education, and money for HIV-AIDS research. Event director Bert Champange was pleased with the turnout, even though the walk doesn't draw quite the crowd it used to.
"There are so many wonderful people out here supporting people with HIV. We're very excited about this year. There are so many things that are going right for people with AIDS, but people are still dying, and people are still needing our services," Champange remarked.
First AIDS Walk
The first AIDS Walk San Francisco was in 1987. Around 3,400 people showed up.
"I think one of the best things about San Francisco is that everybody has really come together to fight AIDS in every way shape and form that we can. This is just one effort, on a Sunday morning," said Dianne Feinstein, Mayor of San Francisco.
The epidemic would get worse, however, for several years. In 1992, cases peaked in San Francisco. In 1994, AIDS became the leading cause of death for all Americans between 25 and 44.
Since then, a lot has changed. New HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths have both significantly declined, and treatments have significantly advanced. However, there is still no cure.
Stories and tributes
"So many individuals’ stories. It tears you up inside," said Lee Johansen, an AIDS Walk attendee.
That was on Johansen's mind, as he took a few moments to take in some of the stories and tributes, seen on the AIDS Quilt.
"People are still getting infected. Perhaps not at the rates they used to be infected, but it’s still a problem. Just because we have drugs today that can make it tolerable to live with doesn’t mean it’s gone away," Johansen added.
Promoting education and awareness, and keeping the story alive are a few reasons why McClain showed up on Sunday.
"It’s something that still needs to be talked about. People are still passing away from AIDS. We still need to do more in awareness for our young people to know, today, that it is still something that we fight to this day," McClain expressed.
The event had raised around a million dollars. Proceeds from will benefit 15 AIDS-services organizations.
