Post-AIDS Walk Blogging

I am quite happy and smug with myself that I've been able to fundraise and complete another SF AIDS Walk. And although my feet are quite painful and I'm totally tired, it was all worth it. In all, today's walkers raised more than $4.5 million, which I think was a new record.

Mad props to the boys in the bell (they know who they are), who brought with them the speaker bag, which made each step of the 6.2 miles so much fun for us.

My deepest thanks and appreciation goes out to every single one of you who sponsored me. As you all know, HIV and AIDs are universal problems, no longer confined to specific groups of people. With all of your support, we've all done our part to help change the course of this epidemic.

Now, can someone volunteer to give a homegirl a foot massage? Damn.

SF AIDS Walk 2006 Redux

My feet hurt, but my spirits are soaring, for I've completed yet another 10k AIDS Walk and raised a nice amount of change to help take us a step forward toward ending this epidemic. Throngs of Bay Areans gathered at Sharon Meadow in Golden Gate Park early this morning in a show of solidarity, love, and hope. I'm always amazed at how many people are affected by this disease, and it's so wonderful to see people come together in this way. (I didn't see any of those Rev. Phelps hatemongers this year, thank Jah.) One guy carried a huge sign that said, "I miss my brother." His brother's name was Mike Jones. I didn't get to see how old Mike was when he died, but there had to have been at least 10 of those stickers you get when you finish the walk stuck on the back of the sign. So for ten plus years, his brother carried this sign, in remembrance of his brother Mike. It was really touching.

Touching, and cute. Because tons of people also brought their dogs. Dogs of every size, shape, and temperament. I even saw a St. Bernard, and really, how often do you see one of those live in the flesh? Never! There was also a preponderance of itty bitty foofy dogs being carried around. I'm sorry, but if you have to carry your dog, or if you have to put it in a purse, don't bring it. What's the point? And I have nothing but love for the yellow lab that tried to tackle me for the last bit of my morning bagel.

I also love doing the AIDS Walk every year, because it's great exercise. And I'm not just talking cardio here. My cousin and I noticed something about ourselves today: We're total freebie whores. Kashi TLC Bars? Wonderful! Dreyer's Whole Fruit popsicles? Why, yes! SBUX tangerine frappuccino sample? Don't mind if I do. Excuse me sir, where did you get that bag of chips?

By the end of the walk, our backpacks were so full with AIDS Walk booty that it made the trek back to the car a major hiking expedition.

There's nothing like taking a long walk in the park, on a gorgeous day, surrounded by like-minded people and volunteers cheering you on along the way. And there's something cathartic about doing this walk --- our collective steps marching toward the end goal symbolize the steps of advancement in science and technology that exist today --- and continue to be developed --- to help manage this virus, or eradicate it altogether.

That's a crossing of the finish line we should all be hoping for, and work together to achieve.

Many thanks to those of you who sponsored me for today's walk. You have no idea how much your support means to me. I hope one day, I can return the favor.

2006 SF AIDS Walk: Doing my part to stop the course of the epidemic

I try to do the SF AIDS Walk every year because it's the best way I know how to do my part to generate AIDS awareness and to help stop the spread of this terrible epidemic. I want to do as much as I can to make a difference in the lives of men, women, and children affected by HIV and AIDS. Even though there has been a lot of publicity about drug treatments which are prolonging some people's lives, they don't work for everyone. There is still no cure in sight. Moreover, young people are still getting infected at alarmingly high rates.

My interest in AIDS activism (if you can call it that) began when I learned of the premature death of a favorite high school teacher of mine, Richard Colon, who passed away due to complications from AIDS. I held this man in the highest esteem and respected him so much. From that moment on, I resolved to do what I could to ensure I never lost anybody to this disease again.

So here I am again, asking you to sponsor me this year. I want your help. Will you please sponsor me for the AIDS Walk? Just click here to enter my personalized web page and charge your donation.

Thank you, in advance, for supporting this important cause and for showing that you join me in wanting to end this epidemic. Any amount you can spare helps, and please know that I appreciate your support. Together we can make a difference.

If you'd like to join me in the walk, click here to register and start raising funds!

Big Pharma and the AIDS Epidemic

Big Pharma sucks. From Reuters:

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - Researchers are closing in on a breakthrough microbicide gel to help prevent HIV infection in women, scientists said on Monday, but a lack of funding by major pharmaceutical companies is hampering research.

I know Big Pharma is concerned with generating profits, and that the HIV drug industry translates into big bucks for them. But if researchers are on the verge of coming up with an effective pre-emptive barrier to the infection, how can this be a bad thing? There’s certainly money to be made there, right? And in the Bush era favoring pre-emptive anything, I mean ... c’mon.

How can these people go to bed at night, knowing that they are willingly putting a damper on progress in fighting this epidemic? And if this is a step toward slowing down the spread of HIV and AIDS in Africa – not to mention the worldwide implications – why not just do it? I’d think being hailed as a hero – rather than the evil, greedy villain – would be favorable.

I mean, if we were to think like a big corporation here, why wouldn't they want to capitalize on the awesome PR opportunities?

2005 AIDS Walk

It's coming up this Sunday. Would you like to sponsor me? Click here. Many thanks to those who gave very generous donations. Together, we can change the course of this epidemic.

Countdown to July 17

Did I mention that I'm doing the AIDS Walk this year?

Thanks to everyone who has sponsored me already. It means the world to me. I appreciate it so much.

2005 AIDS Walk San Francisco

On Sunday, July 17, I'll be doing the AIDS Walk. It's a fun six-mile walk, and participants get tons of freebies, cool t-shirts, and - more important - a sense of gratification knowing that they did their part to fight against this horrible disease. Oh yeah, and it's great exercise. And Jah knows I need it.

More and more people we know are becoming infected with this disease every day. And I know more and more people have lost close friends and family to this epidemic. I urge you to do your part and walk with us.

I'm also collecting sponsorships. If you'd like to sponsor me (any amount counts!), go here.

If you don't want to donate money, foot rubs are also acceptable. Heh heh.

The only thing I want to come between us is latex.

Today’s Salon has an article discussing the recent mutated AIDS virus scare. Apparently doctors and public health advocates are trying to do some damage control, saying that it’s too soon to worry that this may become pandemic.

I don’t know about you, but HIV and AIDS is scary enough without having to worry about mutated viruses and everything else.

Protease inhibitors help slow the pace at which HIV becomes full-blown AIDS, often bringing the viral load to levels that are barely detectable. Advances in modern medicine – miracle drugs that help sustain the lives of people living with the virus – also bring along negative effects. People who engage in high-risk behaviours think they have some new kind of “insurance” against the virus, thinking they don’t have to make any changes in their lifestyles to protect themselves against contracting this disease, because if they catch it, hey – they can just pop a few pills and be alright. Right?

HELL no.

Here’s my problem with the messaging regarding this new mutation. And maybe I’m reading this the wrong way, but in light of recent evidence to the fact that the virus CAN and DOES mutate into forms that become resistant to existing treatment methods, shouldn’t this be a good time to remind people to be extra careful? Maybe a little epidemic scare is what people need to have a nice little “oh shit” moment and perhaps, you know, maybe ... use a condom or a clean needle or something? Protease inhibitors have given non-infected people (or maybe even infected, who knows, really) a sense of complacency. I think the correct message is that, until there’s a cure, one should never reach a level of complacency. Be on guard. Always.

One rationale behind the genetic mutation is that the guy in Manhattan in whom they discovered it is a meth user, and how use of crystal meth leads to unsafe sex and the spread of AIDS. Meth users, the article says, are more likely to miss their regular doses, which helps the virus mutate. Even meth users who take their meds regularly have a higher level of the virus in their body. But the article does go on to state that there is no medical link between meth and the virus advancement rate.

Maybe it is a mutation, maybe it’s not. Maybe the faux mutation is unique to this one individual. In any case, the messaging should be different. Basically, don’t do drugs, and practice safe sex should be the messaging here, instead of “don’t be alarmed, no mutation to see here, no siree” because people will return to that same level of complacency.

The article mentions something called a “booty bump,” in which the meth is mixed with water and administered rectally in order to get high. Who knew!

I swear, those drug addicts really do have quite the imaginations, don't they!