AIDS Coalition of NS marks 25th anniversary of Walk for Life

HALIFAX – It’s a disease that was once thought to be a death sentence if diagnosed.

Research and awareness about HIV/AIDS has grown immensely over the past few decades. In part, it’s because of the work of Aids Coalitions, that not only help those who are living with the disease but fight the stigma surrounding it.

Sunday, the AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia celebrated the 25th anniversary of their Aids Walk for Life.

“This is my first year doing this, so exciting to try something different and look forward to the walk” said Shaun Gerhardt.

“I think that it’s good to just come out and support different causes in general, this event specifically is always so much energy, so much fun” said Vanessa Holland, who has participated in the walk for the past two years.

Twenty-five years ago, the first Walk for Life was held in Halifax.

“Even though we do a lot more education programming, there’s so much more for people to learn and know, which helps how people view the illness,” said Maria MacIntosh, the Executive Director of Aids Coalition of NS.

MacIntosh has been with the Aids Coalition for exactly 20 years today and said she’s seen a number of changes through the years.

“There’s been amazing changes. We have gone from losing all of our friends, our communities and our family to starting to talk about retirement, healthy living and aging healthily with HIV and stigma and prevention efforts and all those kinds of things. So we’re very hopeful to our future and we look back on the past 25 years and are excited about how far we’ve come,” she said.

People of all ages took part in the event, proudly walking to raise awareness for more than 70,000 people who are living with HIV/AIDS in Canada.

“I think today is really important to me to see all these people out and about regarding the fact that AIDS and HIV is not only for men, it’s for women too,” said Geoffrey Gray, a volunteer with the Aids Coalition of NS.

Shawn Egan and Daniel Pottie have been taking part in AIDS walks for more than two decades.

“We wanted to come out here. We’ve lost friends to AIDS, younger friends then we are of course, and it’s an important cause,” Egan said.

There is no cure and no vaccines for HIV/AIDS, but research is being done, and those who took part in the event said the stigma surrounding the illness is improving.

“It’s night and day you know, the way it used to be. The stigma that used to be around is disappearing to a large degree,” Egan said.

“AIDS at one time was strictly gay related. It doesn’t any longer and I think that’s a big improvement of people knowing about it,” added Pottie.

Walks were held in cities right across the country today. All funds raised will help support programs for people living with HIV/AIDS in their communities.