Join the Erie County HIV / AIDS Awareness Walk on Sep 27

The Erie County Department of Health and members of the Erie County HIV Task Force will host the 4th Annual Erie County HIV / AIDS Awareness Walk on Monday, Sept. 27, 2021, at 6 p.m.

Walkers will gather at the LEAF Education Center / Arboretum Building at Frontier Park for the approximate 1.5-mile walk. We invite all to walk and help to raise awareness about HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Participants can enjoy refreshments, testing, and education opportunities. The first 50 people get a free t-shirt!

The EC HIV Task Force and the Erie County Department of Health are working together to combat this disease by building a culture of compassion, understanding and care to those living with HIV and those at risk for contracting the infection. HIV has been a part of the US experience for 40 years. The annual awareness walk is one aspect of the task force's collaborative efforts to meet the needs of the HIV community in Erie County.

We strongly encourage everyone ages 15 to 65 in Erie County, who is sexually active or IV drug users, to get tested annually for HIV. It's important that HIV testing becomes a routine practice in all healthcare settings. Erie County residents are encouraged to make their personal health a priority and request screening and testing for HIV as part of their medical care.

Everyone can help prevent the spread of HIV. Talk to your healthcare provider about HIV testing and discuss ways you can reduce your risk of HIV. Please visit echiv.org/map for a list of organizations throughout the county that offer free confidential HIV testing as well as sites that provide free condoms. If we work together, we can make a positive difference in the fight against HIV in Erie County.