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It could have a new name, but working to end the stigma against people living with HIV / AIDS remains at the center of the Red Ribbon Walk & Run.
The annual fundraiser, formerly known as AIDS Walk, will begin Sunday morning at Vimy Ridge Memorial Park.
"There are many myths about HIV," said Teri Stevens, community engagement coordinator at Nine Circles Community Health Center and one of the event organizers.
"Our clients and other people living with HIV told us that they face a lot of stigma and discrimination."
"Awareness and education are therefore important elements to push back this."
The Red Ribbon Walk and Run, now in its 16th year, raises funds for Nine Circle's programs and services, including its food bank, support groups and assistance fund for people living with HIV. HIV.
Money will also help anti-stigma campaigns going on in Nine Circle.
Stevens said the organizers decided to change the name this year after a national office that helped organize the Winnipeg march lost funding and had to end their participation.
"We saw this as an opportunity to rethink the event and give it a new life," she said.
And it's not just a new name this time.
This year's fundraiser will also include a 5-kilometer run for the first time, as well as the two-kilometer walk that has been part of fundraising since the beginning.
The event last year took place in Central Park. This year marks the beginning of the march and run at Vimy Ridge Memorial Park. (Submitted by Shandi Strong)
Organizers hope the new component will help attract more people.
"There is a large community of runners in this city that we hope to exploit with some of those people who like to go out and run," said Stevens.
"Part of the event is a fundraiser and another part is raising awareness, so increasing the number of people … will increase awareness and hopefully increase donations."
We expect 300 people to participate this year and the organizers hope to raise $ 30,000.
Individuals and teams collect pledges to raise funds, but direct donations can also be made through the Nine Circles Community Health Center website.
The walk and run, which starts at 9:30 am, will include music and entertainment, a barbecue as well as a costume contest and a treasure hunt and educational sessions on sexual health topics such as HIV prevention. and STIs.
The event is open to everyone, including those who do not participate in running or walking, but still want to show their support, says Stevens.
"People live a lot of isolation when they are diagnosed, so just getting people out is very important for people living with HIV at the time of the event," he said. she declared.
"The feedback we receive from our guests, the walks or the walk and run as it is the case this year, it's great to see so many people come to the aid of people living with HIV in our province. "
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