Download the PDF: Walk Away from Stigma Release

For Immediate Release – September 16^th, 2020

The AIDS Network to hold virtual AIDS Walk

During September 20^th to 27^th, The AIDS Network will be holding it is first-ever online AIDS Walk awareness and fundraising event. Since 1993, The AIDS Network has held Walk fundraisers, a tradition in the HIV movement dating back to the world’s first AIDS Walk in 1985 in Los Angeles.

This year, due to Covid-19, The AIDS Network will be holding its annual Walk event online, encouraging people in communities to post photos of themselves engaging in an outdoor activity, using the hashtag #WalkAwayFromStigma and including a link to one of the Walk Away from Stigma campaign pages, found at www.aidsnetwork.ca/walk

“An AIDS Walk is more than a fundraiser, it is a political act where friends and allies come together to be visible, and make the statement that all of the diverse communities that make up people living with, affected by and vulnerable to HIV deserve dignity, equality and long, healthy lives” says The AIDS Network’s Executive Director, Tim McClemont.

“This year, although we cannot come together physically, we can still make that statement through the use of social media, while helping to raise crucial funds for some our The AIDS Network’s most-needed programs and services”.

The AIDS Network’s Walk Away from Stigma campaign branding began in 2018, to highlight awareness causes that inform The AIDS Network’s work. This year the walk causes highlight support for people living with HIV, Harm Reduction advocacy, and support for three communities that are more vulnerable to HIV – gay and bisexual men, African/Caribbean Black communities, and women.

The AIDS Network is an AIDS Service Organization that provides support services, harm reduction services and education in the communities of Hamilton, Halton, Haldimand, Norfolk and Brant. We are the only AIDS Service Organization serving a population of over 1.5 million people.

For more information regarding The AIDS Network’s Walk Away from Stigma 2020 campaign, contact:

James Diemert, Community Engagement Coordinator, cec@aidsnetwork.ca 

Tim McClemont, Executive Director, ed@aidsnetwork.ca