Over the last 22 years, I have participated in the local 5K Walk/Run of the AIDS WALK Wisconsin Chapter (“walk” being the operative word). My high school introduced me to the cause and we had a Riverside Tigers team. When I worked at some of the local LGBTQIA+ bars after high school, I walked with teams from those establishments. Five years ago, my mom told me she wanted to walk with me and we became a mother and son team. Last year my father asked to join us in our walk and we raised over $1500 for AIDS WALK Wisconsin. We were recognized as one of the top five teams in the area, behind Northwestern Mutual, Vivent Health, and Harley Davidson.

This year, Aids Walk Wisconsin is teaming up with other states across the country to create a larger virtual event for everyone. The virtual event will be held on May 16th!!! That's right...that is less than a month away. "DuriansUnite2Fight" is teaming up again this year without my dad (RIP), but now all my siblings have joined the team to raise money for this important cause; we are hoping to double what we raised last year with your help.

As someone who has been LIVING with HIV for over a decade, I am thankful for the progression we have made towards an AIDS-free world. And I plan to continue this fight with my family until we can eradicate the stigma of HIV and AIDS as we “Step to Zero” new HIV/AIDS cases.