Over the past couple of weeks I've been fundraising for the San Francisco AIDS Walk that happens tomorrow (!!). I've made posted requests to Daily Kos for help here and here.
I thought it'd be useful to make one last push for donations before I take my team of people on to the course tomorrow and walk 10 KM to raise money for supporting HIV/AIDS related services. I've already raised $2400 in actual donations and pledges. A number of people from our community have already contributed, but I'd like to see more before the clock runs out and the walk begins.
I promise this is my last request for support before I head out to walk early tomorrow morning. But even if you can't help, take a moment to just think about all those around you who may be dealing with this illness. They may be strangers, but wish them well, heal them with your heart, and if you just don't know enough about the disease to get started, I might be able to help if you ask me a question.
So, follow me over the rainbow to learn more about me, the walk, and how to donate ...
Ok, whew. Now we have some space to actually talk ...
As I've described in many posts and comments on this site, I am HIV+. I'm about 2.5 years into my infection. My mom is walking with me and I took her to see my doctor for the first time together this week. And she got to ask him questions about the illness and what we as a family could expect. He was encouraging and assured her that medication is now available that really helps people with HIV live to close to normal life spans and he was confident that I'd do just fine.
So, we in countries with advanced healthcare live in an era where to be HIV+ is no longer a death sentence. But, this is primarily due to advances in medical care that can guarantee reasonable quality of health as long as access to the healthcare system is sustained. In the U.S. this becomes a complicated issue. Anyone who has seen Michael Moore's SiCKO or who has dealt with the healthcare system due to serious illness or injury can attest to how broken our system is.
For people with HIV, healthcare is a lifelong necessity. HIV-infected people have to thread the needle in regards to health insurance -- either working for insurance by remaining tethered to jobs that provide it, or by going on disability to obtain medical care through Medicare or having access to state run programs like Medicaid. Losing one's insurance, losing one's job, losing the ability to pay for very expensive medication, losing access to counseling, losing access to housing and the ability to pay for food can be life threatening when one is in the advanced stages of the illness.
There are a number of health organizations nationwide that help support HIV+ people for all of the above reasons. Sometimes money is necessary so that organizations can help provide newly diagnosed individuals with guidance they need to stay healthy, find good doctors, navigate health insurance, etc. Sometimes money is urgently needed so that organizations can feed, shelter, and take of desperately ill people. And there is a lot that falls in between these vital services.
In San Francisco alone there are 3 people infected with HIV EVERY DAY. 1 in 4 will not know it. All of them at some point will need help. I am one of those people. I have about 10 friends who are people like me. They all have friends who are like me. Around the world there are 43 million people like me.
This is a tragedy and we cannot remain strong in the face of this catastrophe without all coming together to help one another so that by helping us, we can live longer to help you.
Would you consider donating today? Donations for this 10 KM walk fundraiser benefit the SF AIDS Foundation, an organization that provides services and provides funds to a host of local service organizations. Online donations can be made for as little as $25. Or you can mail in a check for $5 is that's all you have to give. 1000 people who donate $5 are 2x as valuable as 100 people that donate $25.
To learn more about the AIDS Walk fundraisers that happen nationwide you can go here:
http://www.aidswalk.net
Here's how you can sponsor me. Go to this link and follow the donation instruction to donate by credit card:
https://www.kintera.org/...
To send in a donation by mail, go to this link and you can print out the page to include with your check:
https://www.kintera.org/...
If you don't want to sponsor me directly, you can also make a general donation:
https://www.kintera.org/...
I'm so proud and grateful to everyone on this site who have helped many San Franciscans with HIV. The longer we live the more we have to give.
Blessings and love to you all.