37th annual Aids Walk held at Rehoboth Beach

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. – Saturday, people from across the Eastern Shore, and as far away as Pennsylvania, came to Rehoboth Beach to participate in the 37th annual Aids Walk Delaware. Director of case management for Aids Delaware, Tiffany Morman, said the walk is just one piece to the to the bigger picture

“What we’re trying to do is reignite that passion that people had years ago,” Morman said. “When HIV was a death sentence, and now not so much, so we’re here to keep that alive and to motivate people to come out and help.”

The annual walk hits home for Morman every year, and she rocks the red ribbon to honor a lost loved one

“I wear it for a very personal reason, because I had someone that I cared about very deeply that died from the complications of AIDS, back in the 80s; before there was medication, before there were things like this, before there were case management agencies that could help,” Morman said. “I feel it’s important to express exactly why we’re here- we’re here to reignite people in their passion to help.”

Event coordinator Joshua Sheets said the money raised from the walk will go to a good cause

“Our goal is to raise $100,000 and that supports case management services; it supports testing prevention initiatives, it supports medical transportation, food, pantry services, all these services that are supportive services for those living with HIV,” Sheets said.

And walk participant David Dunnington said the time is now to stop all the false narratives about aids and start educating ourselves now, for a better tomorrow

“We’re there to help remove HIV stigma,” Dunnington said. “HIV is the virus, but what kills people is the stigma of not wanting to be tested for HIV.”

At the time of the walk, officials said they raised over $85,000 and the organization is still accepting donations. You can visit Aids Delaware.org to contribute to the cause.