Family of the Late Hope Harris Led AIDS Walk RI

The family of the late Hope Harris led the AIDS Walk RI on Sunday, September 13. "Keeping hope alive" was the theme for the annual AIDS Walk RI fundraising event, featuring�an approximately�two mile course which started and ended at the Rhode Island State House lawn.
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The theme reflected the spirit of the day, and the awarding of the annual "Hope Harris Award," recognizing a person or organization with a deep dedication to the fight against HIV/AIDS. The award was named for the late Hope Harris, a member of the AIDS Project RI board for the last part of her life.� She was also a longtime receptionist for the late Senator John Chafee and also served in Senator Lincoln Chafee's office.
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The first annual Hope Harris Award was presented to Paul Fitzgerald, president and CEO of AIDS Care Ocean State.� He was the founding executive director of "Family AIDS Center for Treatment and Support" (FACTS) for children with HIV. FACTS was one of the first 13 pediatric AIDS demonstration projects in 1988. FACTS grew into a full-service AIDS organization, and merged with "Sunrise House" to become AIDS Care Ocean State.
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Speakers included Congressman David Cicilline; Providence�Mayor Jorge Elorza; Rhode Island's�Public Health Director Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH; community representative Ronald Lewis; Philip Chan, MD, from the Miriam Hospital's Immunology Center;�and others. The life of well-known local philanthropist Guy Abelson, who passed away recently and was deeply involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS, was celebrated at the event.
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NBC 10's Mario Hilario and Drs. Alexander-Scott and Chan served as honorary event co-chairs. NBC 10's Barbara Morse Silva served as emcee.
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AIDS Walk RI 2015 was sponsored by Cardi's Furniture, CVS Health,�Bristol-Myers Squibb,�Miriam Hospital/a Lifespan Partner, Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI, United Healthcare, the City of Providence, MetLife, McLaughlin & Moran, NBC 10, GoLocalProv,� 94 HJY and Coast 93.3 radio, Latino Public Radio, WBRU, Poder 1110, Latina 100.3, WJFD and WUMD.
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AIDS Walk RI� 2015 was conducted by�AIDS Project Rhode Island, a division of Family Service of Rhode Island, and AIDS Care Ocean State.

For more information, visit www.aidsprojectri.org and www.aidscareos.org.
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