Doin’ It Well

The 19^th annual AIDS walk benefiting the Greater Community AIDS Project (GCAP) will take place this Sunday, October 7^th. Doin’ It Well  caught up with GCAP executive director, Teri McCarthy, to discuss this vital event.

What is the purpose of the AIDS Walk? 

The AIDS Walk has a dual purpose.  One is to raise funds for GCAP who provides services to people in Champaign County and the surrounding areas who are living with HIV/AIDS.  The second (and frankly much more important to us) is to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS in our own backyard and how it affects everyone.

What do you think it will take to reduce the rates of HIV? 

I truly believe that two simple things need to happen to decrease or eliminate the spread of HIV/AIDS.  The first thing is communication: talking about sexuality with your family, friends and especially your partner(s).  Fear of being embarrassed has been at the root of many people making decisions they later regretted, or that impacted their health. 

The second thing is more difficult and that is to remove the stigma that surrounds HIV.  Sadly, the stigma that surrounds HIV is perpetuated by people and organizations that don’t have the facts or are scared to find them out.  Since this disease was originally thought to be a “gay disease” or one that can be associated with drug use, it made it easy for some groups to feel that people got what they deserved.  The fact that HIV is a sexually transmitted disease only adds to the taboo.

What is the biggest misconception that people have about HIV or AIDS or both? 

Plain and simple, that it can’t or won’t happen to them.  A friend of mine who is HIV+ said that he got that way because he was too lazy to go to a convenient store to get a condom because he was sure this wasn’t something he had to worry about.
 
How can the community help combat HIV/AIDS? 

By knowing the facts and how the disease is transmitted and taking that information to heart.  By supporting groups and organizations like Planned Parenthood’s Teen Awareness Group (who does peer to peer sexual health counseling) and the Greater Community AIDS Project and all of their efforts.  Folks can also volunteer for these and other agencies that provide HIV prevention and AIDS support services.
 
How can people get involved with GCAP? 

At GCAP we welcome volunteers to help us with everything from preparing mailings, being a member of fundraising planning committee (like for Artists Against AIDS), to setting up speaking engagements for the GCAP Director at your service club, church or student organization.  Unfortunately, there are few direct interactions with our clients due to confidentiality issues.  And of course, people can donate their time, money, furniture or gently used household items.
 
What messages do you think people need to hear about healthy sexuality or to help them have good, safe sex?  

HIV, as well as most other sexually transmitted diseases can be prevented.  The most common way to avoid STD’s is by correctly using a condom every time you have sex.  Personally, I still believe that open communication will accomplish the same thing and also open the door to a healthier, more satisfying and fun sexual relationship.  Imagine the adventures you could have if you only opened up to your partner and they did the same!
 
What are the details of the AIDS Walk? 

The 19th Annual All Walks of Life, AIDS Walk will be held on Sunday, October 7 with registration at 11:30 am and the walk beginning promptly at 12 noon.  The Walk begins and ends at the Illini Grove pavilion (located at the corner of Lincoln and Pennsylvania Ave in Urbana) and consists of a 2 mile walk from the pavilion to the Alma Mater statue and back.  There is no cost to be involved in the Walk, but we do encourage people to register a team for $60 which gives you 5 t-shirts.  Others have solicited pledges from friends and family, the proceeds will benefit GCAP.  We will have several quilt panels on display of local people who lost their battle with AIDS.  We will have free food and beverages on hand for all walkers and there will be live music following the walk.  Any inquiries about the walk or how to get more involved with GCAP can be addressed by calling 351-2437 or e-mailing me at terimccarthy@hotmail.com

Prevention is the key to stopping the spread of HIV.  It’s also important that we all support individuals living with HIV & AIDS in our own community. Come out this Sunday to show your support for GCAP, HIV education & prevention! 

Sex 411:

• The 19^th Annual Alpha Epsilon Phi AIDS Walk
• 12-2pm (11:30 registration) Sunday, October 7th
• Illini Grove Pavillion (Pennsylvania & Lincoln, Urbana)

Kim Rice & Ross Wantland are professionals in the fields of sexuality & violence prevention.  As next week is National Coming Out Day, stay tuned as they tackle internalized homophobia.