APM Executive Director Barb Murray with Detroit City Council candidates Saunteel Jenkins and James Tate and APM staff member Curtis Lipscomb. BTLphotos by Jason A. Michael
DETROIT – With the preliminary numbers in, AIDS Walk Michigan is reporting a slight decrease in monies raised this year. Walks took place in seven cities over the past two weekends, raising about $153,000. The total is down about $22,000 from 2008.
Reflecting on her many years organizing and participating in AIDS Walks, which have taken place across the state since 1998, AWM Executive Director and AIDS Partnership Michigan head Barb Murray said she never thought she'd be doing it this long.
"I don't think many of us would have thought we'd still be doing a walk for AIDS (by this point)," she told the crowd Saturday, Oct. 3 at the City of Detroit walk, which took place in Belle Isle.
"We thought there would be a cure by now. But we're still here and we're still fighting."
Despite chilly temperatures in the mid-50s and intermittent drizzle, over 350 people showed up for the Detroit walk. Among them were several local notables, including Detroit city council candidates Charles Pugh, Saunteel Jenkins and James Tate.
"People need to know that the struggle against HIV and AIDS is not just something that happens in a walk," Pugh said. "It's a year-round passion of mine. We need to make sure that health department dollars are used for outreach. It's important that we put the money where those efforts should be. That's a priority. I have so many friends and relatives who have lost the battle. So it's a personal journey for me to be there to raise money for treatment and outreach."
Across the state, just over 2,000 walkers participated in the seven walks. Totals for the individual walks include Ann Arbor, $13,100; Bay City, $41,500; Detroit, $32,000; Flint, $11,000; Grand Rapids, $24,000; Lansing, $21,000; and northern Michigan, $10,500. Each location's funds went to various local HIV/AIDS organizations, including the HIV/AIDS Resource Center, the Lansing Area AIDS Network, Wellness AIDS Services, BASIS-Sacret Heart Rehabilitation Center and others.
"Given the economy, I'm pleased," said Murray of the funds raised. "These are very respectable numbers."
It's in part because of the state of the economy that Anthony Kilgore of Detroit made sure he walked this year.
"I feel prevention and raising money for the agencies is always important," he said. "Sadly, the need is rising and so are the infections, and we definitely need to raise money to make sure they stay open."
