Over 1 million Americans are currently living with HIV/AIDS, 20,000 live in Dallas. Whether it be for lack of finances or because they are abandoned by family and friends, many people do not have the resources to manage a life living with HIV/AIDS. AIDS Arms Inc is a non profit organization based in Dallas whose purpose is to assist individuals in accessing healthcare, resources, and support necessary to successfully manage the challenges of living with HIV/AIDS.
When I was 13 my older brother, Douglas, told me he had HIV. He was living with my parents and I for a year and a half before he lost his battle with HIV at the age of 31. I saw first hand what it was like to live with the disease. Fortunately, my brother had his family with him through his life with HIV to help him and make him as comfortable as possible, others are not so fortunate. I am doing this walk so that those who do not have comfort and support have the resources available to acquire it. No one should have to walk alone in those shoes.
Since it's inception the AIDS Arms Life Walk has raised more than $7 Million for AIDS services in Dallas and the Life Walk is key in continuing this level of support. This year I started a team for the walk at my institute, where we do research on producing an HIV vaccine. At my institute people are working every day looking at nucleic acid sequences, protein structures, and cellular processes in response to HIV infection. Even so, we do not forget while working in the minutia of our research that 39 million people worldwide are waiting for a breakthrough. However, people need immediate help and until a breakthrough is made in the lab charities like AIDS Arms are essential for those living with HIV/AIDS.
I would like to ask for your support in my efforts to raise money for this year's AIDS Arms Life Walk to benefit AIDS Arms Inc. You can make a donation to our team at my donation website at http://firstgiving.com/thisboyelroy.
Your support would be greatly appreciated by me, by AIDS Arms Inc., and most importantly, by the people who depend on AIDS Arms to manage a life living with HIV/AIDS. For more information on HIV/AIDS, how and where you can get tested, and statistics on the global pandemic visit KnowHIVAIDS.org. Protect yourself. Get tested.
"You must be the change you want to see in the world." -Gandhi
