OCTOBERS. 2W7 justoutlw
northwest
Support, Educate,
Advocate
CAP implores Portlanders to take a stand at AIDS Walk
by West Duncan
ince the early 1980s, one singular disease
so they could be more open-minded and not be
has galvanized rhe gay community unlike scared when they hear the words HIV and AIDS.”
Ridings also sees the event as an important way
anything else. Year hy year, as the HIV/
to support, educate and advocate.
AIDS pandemic has spread, so has the
concern among the global community in
“AIDS Walk has brought people together rather
how to stop it and educate future generations than
about dwelled on something that could seem hope­
their responsibility in fighting this disease.
less," he says. “It’s so important to support people
In its 21st year, Cascade AIDS Project’s AIDS
living with AIDS, the ones we’ve lost and agencies
Walk will be a gathering of hope for thousands who
like CAP who have been so successful in educating
want t<^ remember loved ones, be with friends and
about prevention.”
celebrate the strides being made to dismantle
AIDS Walk is not only an opportunity for
stereotypes and myths surrounding HIV/A1DS.
family to gather but for community members to
CAP has seen rapid success in the past year
show their support. Local talent Kevin Cook (aka
with the opening of
its Men’s Wellness
Center and stands out
as a leader in the
country for program­
ming, housing and
advocacy services.
With one of the largest
volunteer rosters for its
size in the country,
CAP is achieving
major milestones.
Roma Peyser,
CAP’s community and
donor relations man­
ager, says this year’s
walk will take an
activist’s tone, focusing
on education, advo­
cacy and reaching
a wider audience.
CAP, which is expect­
ing 10,000 people
Kathyn Vaughan of Azumano Travel was a top AIDS Walk fund-raiser in 2006.
with a $300,000 fund­
raising goal, wants the event to be a call to action.
Poison Waters) is often on hand at many events to
“This year is really exciting because we set out
lighten rhe mood, but the walk makes the usually
to find new ways of carrying out our mission of
boisterous Cook a bit stoic.
finding new ways to care for patients, educate the
“I’m afraid there is a sense of‘Everything’s OK
community and advocate for action,” says Peyser.
now, go about your business, we’ve got it covered,’
CAP’s mantra of taking a stand is exactly what
which of course is not the case. There are still many
it hopes every person walking will carry with them
suffering, and the great strides made in the pharma­
long after the event is through. CAP aims to create ceutical world are sadly not working for everyone
more access to existing resources through a booth
or not readily available to everyone.”
dedicated to discussions about the disease. It will
Cixik, a CAP volunteer since 1988 and Camp
also utilize new tools like a “top 10 list” of ways to
Starlight supporter, believes AIDS Walk is a perfect
prevent H1V/A1DS.
way to put faces to the disease.
The Centers for Disease Control and
For each individual face at this year’s AIDS
Prevention have “just recommended that HIV test­
Walk, there will be a unique reason for being there.
ing be done with each regular check-up,” remarks
For moms like Howell, future generations are the
Peyser. “Getting this test should be as normal as
most important weapons against the disease.
getting your cholesterol checked.”
“People think on the surface that this is cured,
For many, including Aaron Ridings and his
so we still need to be out there {making] this
mother, June Howell, AIDS Walk is an important
disease mainstream,” says Howell. “More impor­
family tradition. Ever since Ridings was a staff
tantly, we need to make sure to take care of our
children.
” (J)
member for CAP in 1999, he and his family have
walked each year in remembrance of friends and in
celebration of progress.
AIDS W alk P ortland is from 8 a.m. to noon
“As a mother, when Aaron came out, it kicked
Oct. 14 at Pioneer Courthouse Square. To register
it in for me that this [HIV/AIDS] could happen to
call 503'223'WALK or visit www.cascadeaids.org.
my own son," says Howell. “People can be judgmen­
tal, and this is a disease where the victim often gets
Portland writer WEST D uncan can be reached at
westofaminor@yahoo. com.
blamed. I wanted my kids to be part of AIDS Walk
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