Walking to Remember, Running to Fight

For AIDS Walk Team Coordinator Ian Johnson, his involvement with the San Diego AIDS Walk and Run began with the loss of a friend eight years ago.

"Through the years I've added a few other names to that list, although this year is the toughest because I've added two more," Johnson said. "AIDS Walk has always been a passion of mine and my family has always backed the same cause - we've all lost someone. My mom taught and showed me that compassion and caring for others is what life is really all about. Every year she donated, spread the word and made a difference.

"Sadly last year, during the week of AIDS Walk, she passed away. She was a champion in this fight and this year she is one of the people in honor of whom our team will be walking."

Stories like this are quite common among those who participate in San Diego's annual one-day event, intended to raise money to assist dozens of local agencies. Thousands of clients receive critical services, including housing, meals, medicine and counseling, from the funds raised through the event, which this year boasts a few new additions to its line-up.

In addition to the regular 5K Walk and 10K Run events, expect a Street Challenge obstacle course combining traditional bootcamp-style obstacles with the zany challenges inspired by TV's "Wipe-Out." "Our goal is to make people sweat and laugh at the same time," posts Special Events Director Sarafina Scapicchio, pointing out the Attack of the Gladiators and Zombie Wall obstacles already revealed on their Facebook page as examples of what to expect this year.

Additionally, Scapicchio says, the festival area will be expanded to include free fitness classes, lots of great information providers, a high-energy DJ and more. "Our entire staff is incredibly proud to produce an event that can help provide vital resources to so many deserving non-profit programs right here in San Diego. As the director of special events, I feel particularly blessed that my day-to-day job is basically a conduit for members of the community to reach out for, to strengthen and support the community."

Although "AIDS fatigue" and complacency are often cited as reasons for increased infection rates and a decreased sense of urgency within the community at large, Scapicchio says that each person who participates can "make a difference in someone's life by signing up. The dollars they are raising go right back to the community, to help it become stronger, healthier, better."

"Our work fighting HIV/AIDS is far from over," she continues. "One in five people with HIV in San Diego do not know their status. Moreover, only one in three people in San Diego with HIV/AIDS are routinely able to access HIV primary medical care and HIV medication. We must keep working to change those statistics, but to get there we need the whole community walking alongside us."

For Johnson, it is perhaps the festival's remembrance area - and the addition of yet another name to the list of people he's lost - that serves as a sobering reminder why, despite recent advances in AIDS medications and recent rumors of "cures," it is no time for the community to forget what a challenge we still face.

"A common misconception is that everyone who is HIV positive lives a long, healthy life," Johnson says. "Unfortunately, that's not always the case. I have a friend, Trevor, whom I knew for over 15 years. He served in the military and was diagnosed with HIV in his early 20s. This past January he passed away at age 36. That is not a long life. Lives are still being lost."

The 24th Annual AIDS Walk & Run San Diego will take place on Sunday, September 29 in Balboa Park. For more information or to get involved go to aidswalksd.org