Ambassadors and Beneficiaries Announced for Local AIDS Walk

Feb. 4, 2013 - PRLog -- Dallas, Texas. February 4, 2013. – As the approach of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day draws near on February 7th, AIDS Walk South Dallas (AWSD) announced that Zachary Thompson, Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) Director and Greater Than AIDS spokesman, Otis Harris Jr. will serve as 2013 Walk Ambassadors for the event that will take place on Saturday, March 16, 2013 (rain or shine) at the historical St. Philip’s School and Community Center, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Dallas, TX. Mr. Thompson and Mr. Harris, Jr. will serve as Community Ambassador and Youth Ambassador, respectively.

“We are elated to welcome our new ambassadors and beneficiaries to AIDS Walk South Dallas.
The selection of Zachary Thompson (Director, DCHHS), Otis Harris Jr. (a local 25-year-old who tested positive for HIV, feature of MTV’s I’m Positive , and is part of the Greater Than AIDS campaign), exemplifies AIDS Walk South Dallas theme "Walking with Purpose", said, Auntjuan Wiley, AWSD Founder and Chair.  The support of AWSD is pivotal as the Texas Department of State Health Services reports there are over 14,000 people living with HIV in Dallas County representing an increase of 39% over the past 8 years.  

This annual event, formerly known as South Dallas AIDS Walk, is held to bring awareness of HIV/AIDS and to raise funds to support local organizations that offer services to those affected by this disease.  AIDS Walk South Dallas is also proud to announce that AIDS Interfaith Network and Kidscapes Foundation are this year’s beneficiaries. AIDS Interfaith Network (AIN) is a multicultural, faith-based organization that helps prevent the spread of HIV and serves persons living with HIV/AIDS and other vulnerable populations.  Kidscapes Foundation, founded by Shannan Wilkerson-Brown, seeks to change the landscapes of a child’s life and reduce their family’s financial burden.

AIDS Walk South Dallas is presented by C.U.R.E., a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization founded in 2007 by Rosemarie Odom and Roseann Rossetti and Avita Drugs Pharmacy. To register for AWSD, please visit www.aidswalksouthdallas2013.eventbrite.com.  

For more information about the AIDS Walk South Dallas, visit www.aidswalksouthdallas.com . Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are still available.