Amherst Daily News
AMHERST – She lost her two brothers to AIDS. Now, Debbie Currie, the walk organizer and chair person for the Northern AIDS Connection Society, is working to make sure more people are aware and come out and support the Soctiabank AIDS Walk for Life to prevent the same tragedy from happening to others.
“Hopefully, this year we’ll have sunshine. Last year, unfortunately we had to cancel our walk because of the torrential rain,” she said. “Currently in Canada, there are at least 65,000 Canadians who are diagnosed currently with AIDS. In Canada, every three hours, someone is diagnosed with HIV.”
By having more people come out to the walk, Currie is hoping to raise money for the AIDS affected clients and educate others.
“People contract AIDS through unsafe sex, through needle use and the highest risk group right now are youth, females aged 14 to 25, heterosexual females. Next would be women who can, if they’re pregnant, pass it on to their children through breastfeeding,” she said. “HIV has no boundaries whether it be socioeconomical, age, gender or otherwise. Each year, I hope and I pray we will have a big turnout. I don’t think people recognize the importance that it holds in our society.”
The walk will take place Sept. 23. The walk will start at the YMCA with registration beginning at 12 p.m. A barbecue will follow the walk and there will be information packets available on site. Mayor Robert Small and Brian Skabar will be present at the walk to speak to the crowd.
Walkers are to register through Currie and obtain a pledge sheet or can make donations on site the day of the walk. To register, contact Debbie Currie at (902) 661-1874 or by email: nacswalk@live.com.
jturner@amherstdaily.com
