LEXINGTON/LOUISVILLE, Ky. – AVOL Kentucky and Kentuckiana AIDS Alliance will partner on the 2021 AIDS Walk Kentucky to create additional HIV/AIDS awareness, research long-term solutions, and implement measures with a goal of one day eradicating the disease once and for all. Both Walks will be held on Sunday, April 25, in Lexington and Louisville simultaneously at 2 p.m. (gathering at 1:45 p.m.)
While fundraising and coordination of the Lexington and Louisville Walks will be autonomous to the efforts of the individual organizations, getting the word out to larger audiences across Kentucky about HIV testing and resources available is a top priority for both nonprofits.
“We’re excited to be partnering with Kentuckiana AIDS Alliance on the 2021 AIDS Walk,” said Jon Parker, executive director of AVOL Kentucky. “While HIV and AIDS have fallen out of the spotlight in recent years, the epidemic is far from over. We need community champions and advocates to fight the good fight with us now, more than ever,” he added.
Attendance at both AIDS Walks will be limited to HIV Care Heroes walking on behalf of the entire community to raise awareness; and restating and reinvigorating our collective resolve to END HIV, for good. Supporters are encouraged to participate virtually as they did in 2020. Information on virtual participation and making donations for this year’s Walks can be found at:
- AVOL Kentucky: www.lexaidswalk.com
- Kentucky AIDS Alliance: https://www.kentuckianaaidsalliance.org/upcoming-events/aids-walk-kentucky
These AIDS Walk events help raise critical funding for essential programs and services offered by the two organizations. Members of the media are invited to join us at the Walks at the following locations:
- Lexington AIDS Walk Starting Location: Carnegie Center Front Steps, 251 West 2nd Street
- Louisville AIDS Walk Starting Location: The Belvedere, 141 N. 6th Street (gathering at the bottom of the walkway on Main Street)
“This collaboration will allow these two tremendous organizations the ability to cast a wider net, and share with a larger audience, opportunities such as accessing free and confidential HIV,” said Kentuckiana AIDS Alliance executive director Paige Hessel. “The more people we can inform of the services we provide, the better.”
Together, with the support of the community and corporate partners, Parker and Hessel believe eradicating HIV is a real possibility for Kentucky.
“We believe that the struggle to end HIV state-wide, above all, is a struggle to provide truly effective HIV prevention and life-giving services such as stable housing and support services” Parker said. “This means every Kentuckian needs to know their HIV status and continue to evaluate their individual risk.”
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