FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The AIDS Healthcare Foundation is again with one in every of its greatest fundraisers of the 12 months — the Florida AIDS Walk & Music Festival — drawing 1000’s to Fort Lauderdale Beach to boost consciousness and battle stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS.
Cheers, music and a way of unity crammed the air Saturday morning as members lined up alongside A1A for the twenty first annual stroll.
“It’s an event that shares the importance of love, togetherness,” one attendee stated.
More than 2,000 walkers took half, many with private causes for displaying up.
“We’ve always wanted to do this ever since we were kids,” stated Princess Williams.
For others, the occasion is a technique to honor these misplaced throughout the top of the AIDS epidemic.
Decades later, members say progress in remedy and consciousness has modified the outlook for these residing with HIV.
“It’s way different from how it used to be. There’s more knowledge now and good medicine,” one other walker stated. “You see people wanting to live.”
Still, advocates say the battle is way from over.
Organizers highlighted issues about the way forward for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, often called ADAP, which helps present HIV remedy and insurance coverage to low-income people.
“We are doing everything we can to protect it,” stated Tracy Jones with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. “Life-saving drugs. They are the reason most people are alive.”
According to state knowledge, greater than 51,000 individuals in Miami-Dade and Broward counties live with HIV.
Saturday’s occasion raised practically $3 million for 12 South Florida organizations working to fight HIV and AIDS and help these affected.
The stroll was adopted by a music competition, headlined by Queen Latifah, who introduced vitality to the stage and capped off the day’s occasions.
For many in the group, the second was about remembrance as a lot as celebration.
Organizers say past the fundraising, the occasion continues to carry individuals collectively — spreading messages of affection, acceptance and hope.
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