Georgia: AIDS Walk Cartersville Stresses Education, Prevention

The AIDS Alliance of Northwest Georgia is seeking participants for its annual AIDS Walk Cartersville. The 2.1-mile walk will begin at 11:00 a.m. on April 27, with registration at Friendship Plaza in downtown Cartersville at 10:00 a.m. Participants can sign up in advance; registration is $20 for individuals ages 13 years and older and $10 for youth 12 and younger. The cost to enter on the day of the event increases by $5.

The Cartersville-based AIDS Alliance assists 110 individuals with HIV/AIDS who range in age from 14 to mid-70s, in 10 northwest Georgia counties. Proceeds from the AIDS Walk will help the nonprofit maintain its current level of services, including transportation for clients, support groups, and prevention and housing programs. Lola Thomas, executive director of the AIDS Alliance, said that the group focuses on education, particularly in the schools. In the past two years, the organization has taught basic information about HIV and prevention in high and middle schools. She explained that the organization wanted to encourage everyone to realize the importance of knowing the facts and knowing how to prevent HIV.

Approximately 100 individuals participated in last year's walk, raising approximately $5,000. If this year's goal to raise $10,000 is met, the AIDS Alliance will be a step closer to its overall mission of increasing local funding to 10 percent of its annual budget. Also, some of the funds will be used to help purchase prevention and HIV testing materials. Thomas emphasized the importance of knowing one's status, hence the need for getting tested. Mandy Wilson, an AIDS Alliance board member, commented that the AIDS Walk also will serve as an awareness tool enabling the community to unite around the nonprofit and its cause.

For more information about the AIDS Alliance and or the AIDS Walk, visit www.aanwg.org, or call (770) 606-0953.

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