New York: AIDS Crusader Won't Sugarcoat Message

Jamila Rivera of Binghamton is putting a lot of energy into raising money for the AIDS Walk that supports the Southern Tier AIDS Program (STAP), the event sponsor. She knows friends who have died from AIDS, and plenty who are infected. And she knows the agency needs the support so it can spread the word that HIV can kill. One of STAP's main objectives is HIV/AIDS education.

Rivera does not sugarcoat her prevention messages to her own children. She realizes that some people may prefer the message that abstinence is best, but that is not the only message she feels the need to convey. "The reality of life is, the children are going to have sex whether you want them to or not," she said. Rivera tells her kids never to have unprotected sex, and makes sure condoms are readily accessible.

"Last year, the walk raised about $10,000, and we're hoping to triple that this year," said Ron Siwiec, STAP's development director. It drew 150 attendants. STAP moved the walk from June to April so more students can participate.

More than 500 walkers may attend this year's event, and support has been tremendous so far. "People like to come in teams," he said, and already religious congregations, medical and educational communities have signed up. "There's camaraderie in that. But individual walkers are welcome, too, to say the least."

Last year, Rivera participated for her first time and completed all three miles in a wheelchair she used for an injury that prevented her from walking. She raised a few hundred dollars. This time, she hopes to raise $1,000. "So I tell people, spare change, a dollar, it doesn't matter."

The walk will start at noon, April 18, in Binghamton's Recreation Park. For more information, telephone (607) 798-1706.

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