AIDS Walk Austin is 9 days away, on Sunday the 19th. The Walk as a whole has raised about 32% of their $250,000 goal. Which is not close enough. Yeah, there’s still 9 days, and I’m no mathematician, but that’s a heck of a lot of money to raise per day.
This day, Friday, they have a challenge. If the Walk as a whole can raise $5,000 that will be matched. Come with me below the fold and I’ll tell you why you should donate.
So here’s my AIDS Walk Austin page, where you can donate to the Walk. The agencies that benefit from the Walk do things like provide a food bank, or even cooked meals for those who need them; a specialized dental clinic, counseling and prevention/education services. Here’s me talking about why I’ve done this walk every year of its existence:
If all of us doing the Walk can raise $5,000 today, that will be matched. So, please – even if you can only give $5, please donate today. Here’s my AIDS Walk Austin page. These are badly needed services and this is their biggest fundraiser of the year.
$35 covers one rapid HIV rest – we know that 40% of HIV+ people don’t know it yet. Through testing, we can get them into life saving care, and further reduce the spread of the virus.
$60 pays for a one month supply of medical prescriptions. Medications can reduce the virus so much that it keeps someone healthy and also reduces the risk of passing it along. And did you know that only 1/3 of all HIV-infected people get anti-retroviral therapy?? I think we can do better than that, so here’s my AIDS Walk Austin page
$120 provides education for 440 people. Education is one of the most important tools in reducing new infections.
$250 provides 3 family counseling sessions. It can be devastating for a family when a member is diagnosed, and we know that an intact family unit promotes health and provides a built in support.
$500 provides a month of rent for one family in supportive housing. Assistance with food, daily chores, trips to medical appointments and social support create a foundation for continued health and a step toward independence.
$1,000 gives 450 home cooked meals for hospice patients. When in hospice, there are often unique food needs. You can make sure that final days are spent with delicious food that doesn’t upset someone’s stomach.
Please give if you can – one more time, here’s my AIDS Walk Austin page
And this diary needs a U2 video, because, well – hello, this is me. So here’s one from the first year I did the Walk:
Please give, any amount at my AIDS Walk Austin page. Thanks.
1 comment