* REGISTER: AIDS Walk Delaware – Rehoboth Beach & Wilmington

AIDS Delaware and theDelaware HIV Consortium jointly present the 38^th annualAIDS Walk Delaware on Saturday, September 21, 2024, with walkers stepping off at 10 a.m.

The Walk takes place in Wilmington (Brandywine Park) and Rehoboth Beach (Grove Park) and is the state’s oldest and largest HIV/AIDS fundraising and awareness event. Funds raised help provide free, rapid HIV testing, medical case management services, HIV-specific mental health counseling, HIV/PrEP education and prevention programs, housing assistance, and transportation services.

This year’s Walk coincides with the International Day of Peace. One of their pillars is Good Health and Well-Being. To honor this, people will walk and raise funds to support those with HIV, ensuring they receive the medication and treatment necessary for their physical and mental well-being. Additionally, the Walk provides education on HIV and PrEP to prevent further cases, empowering people with the knowledge to protect themselves and others. As of June 2024, there are 3993 people in Delaware with HIV, with 60 new cases reported so far this year.

"Our best chance of eliminating HIV is assuring people get tested, know their status, and if they are HIV positive to get them into care and on a structured medical regimen. This helps them stay healthy and reduces the spread of HIV,” says Frank Hawkins, Director of Prevention Services at AIDS Delaware. “People with HIV who get to and maintain an undetectable viral load have virtually no risk of spreading HIV to another person.”

Creating more community awareness of PrEP is another critical goal of the Walk. PrEP is a prevention medication that is 99% effective at reducing the risk of contracting HIV, but too few people are aware of it.

Funds raised from the Walk also benefit other HIV service organizations: The Ministry of Caring, Beautiful Gate Outreach Center, William J. Holloway Community Program, and CAMP Rehoboth.

Walk check-in begins at 9 a.m. in Wilmington, Brandywine Park, 1080 North Park Drive, and Rehoboth Beach, Grove Park at Columbia Avenue and Grove Street. Walkers are encouraged to visit the Knowledge Neighborhood at their respective parks before and after walking. Dogs are welcome at both locations.

Walkers and anyone who wants to Donate are invited to visit AIDSWalkDelaware.org to register. The walk is free; walkers who raise $35 receive a commemorative T-shirt.

AIDS Walk Delaware 2024 is being held as a courtesy of Ivira Pharmacy, our Presenting Sponsor. Thanks to our other 2024 Sponsors: Albert Mills – Wilmington City Council, Alpha Phi Alpha, Astra Zeneca, Aqua Bar & Grill, Avita / QCare+, Beebe Healthcare, CAMP Rehoboth, Capital One, ChristianaCare, County Bank, Delaware Pride, Fulton Bank, i.g.Burton Auto Group, Jack Lingo Realtor, Out & About, Re/Max Realty Group, Rigby’s Bar & Grill, Sussex County Council, Tanger Outlets Rehoboth, The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group, ViiV Healthcare, Wawa Foundation, Walgreens, Wilmington City Council, WSFS Bank

For more information or to sponsor, visit AIDSWalkDelaware.org or John Beckley (jbeckley@aidsdelaware.org; 302.652.6776, x221). 

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