AIDS Walk has always been special to me. I attended the very first Albany Walk in 1997. I was still very sick from my diagnosis of AIDS in late 1995 and with the help of a friend (Peg Stucky), I was able to do only a part of the walk. I was so inspired at that walk that there were so many people there who came out to help people like myself who were struggling with HIV and AIDS - the love I felt from the crowd carried me for days.

I remember Charles Suntheimer, who was in a wheelchair and spoke from the podium asking each person to bring a new person to the next year's walk - charging the crowd to continue helping those of us with HIV and AIDS. Charles never made it to the next walk, but indeed people brought more friends to join in our efforts. The funding from AIDS Walk helped us with the down payment on the Damien Center's new home at 12 South Lake Ave, where we spent 15 years helping people in a homey atmosphere full of love and life. Each year I came back to AIDSWalk – each time stronger than the year before - as I regained my health with the new medicines, treatment, and loving support I found in our Albany community.

Back then I could have only dreamed of the day that we would have medications and care that would not only extend our lives but make it impossible for us to spread the virus (#U=U). Sadly though, too many people with HIV don't know their HIV status. Plus, too many people who know they are HIV+ are not getting the treatment and care they deserve because of overwhelming HIV stigma, poverty, unstable housing, trauma, hunger, mental health issues, substance use disorder, and other factors. At the Damien Center, we continue to work each day to help each person who needs us - to provide them with that support, love, and unconditional access to a community who cares.

Too many of my friends and people we served at the Damien Center over the years are no longer with us. I remember each of you and the impact you had on me and on others as we traveled this scary journey together. And because too many people are STILL experiencing HIV STIGMA, we will walk to honor those we have lost to AIDS - to be there for each person who is still struggling with HIV and AIDS today - and to commit to Ending the AIDS Epidemic for future generations.

Please join me on Sat, April 13, 2019, for our AIDS Walk & Festival We have included materials to help you raise critically needed funds. For every $25 you raise, you will get a chance to win Southwest flight tickets!

Thank you for your generosity, love, and support right now and over all these years. It has truly made the difference for myself and so many others when we needed you the most...

Sincerely,

Perry Junjulas, Executive Director & Person with AIDS who is UNDETECTABLE

The AIDS Walk & Festival is a community event in Washington Park to increase awareness about HIV/AIDS and raise money to help people living with and affected by the disease. This inspiring event calls on people of all ages and backgrounds to come together and learn how we can End the AIDS Epidemic in New York once and for all!

The event will be fun-filled, informative, and family friendly, with a scavenger hunt walk, free food and entertainment, community resources and local businesses, and much more. All donations support the programs and services at the Albany Damien Center.