Two major changes have taken place in United States since the early days of HIV/AIDS. First, a disease that originally affected gay white males has shifted into minority populations and affects both sexes. Second, highly active antiretroviral therapy, or HAART, has greatly improved treatment and allowed for a greater survival rate and better quality of living. Unfortunately, these therapies aren't always available to the poor, the bulk of which are minorities. AIDS Walk St. Petersburg is a fundraiser for the disadvantaged clients of the AIDS Service Association of Pinellas (ASAP) and For AIDS Care Today (FACT), two Pinellas County organizations, which, together, provide a continuum of health and human services, including (but not limited to) much-needed medical financial assistance for doctor visits, lab work, and medications to employed HIV-positive individuals who do not receive disability coverage, Medicaid or Medicare; compassionate counseling; prevention services; community resource education; and support and advocacy. Last year, more than 1,200 AIDS Walk participants raised $90,000; organizers hope to exceed $100,000 at this year's event. The 5k walk begins and ends at North Shore Park; registration starts at 9 a.m., with the walk kicking off at 10 a.m. Sat., Sept. 8, North Shore Park, 12th Avenue N. and North Shore Drive, downtown St. Petersburg, aidswalkstpetersburg.org.
This article appears in Sep 5-11, 2007.