The 23rd annual AIDS Walk Washington, which raises funds for HIV/AIDS services at Whitman-Walker Clinic, will take place Saturday, Oct. 3.The Whitman-Walker Clinic provides important health services to queer Washington residents and it is important to support them when possible.

The below post, which was sponsored by the WWC, tells the story of an Aids Walk Participant named Kimberly McCoid.
  

I am the youngest of six children. My two brothers were my heroes when I was growing up. As I got older I came to realize that they were not superheroes, but I still loved them dearly.

In 1988, my brother Micheal found out that he was HIV-positive. Back then, that diagnosis was a death sentence. We knew very little about HIV and AIDS, and there were few options for treatment. Micheal was able to get on a good medication regimen and he remained healthy. The family was lulled into a false sense of security as we saw Micheal be his usual vibrant, lively self.

The other shoe finally dropped in 2000. Just days before Thanksgiving, I got the call I had been dreading for 12 years. Micheal was in the hospital. I dashed up to GW Hospital where I found my brother in the ER – looking so small on that hospital bed. It looked like he had aged 20 years over night. His prognosis was not good. He had AIDS-Related Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL). We celebrated Thanksgiving in the hospital.

Micheal moved in with me during his treatment. Due to compromised immune systems, people with AIDS (PWA) do not tolerate chemotherapy as well as otherwise healthy people. He was given half doses of chemo, but was unable to work, keep food down or walk very far and was in constant pain. Once the many rounds of chemo were complete, Micheal seemed to get better and was able to move back in to his own house in 2002.

Micheal’s hair grew back, he regained some of his weight and he went back to work. Then he started pushing people away, including me. I knew this could only mean that the NHL was back. On Friday, Nov. 7, 2003, I had one foot out the door to go see him when the phone rang and I got the news that my beloved brother had passed away. I didn’t get to say good-bye.

I had never seen my father cry. He cried at the memorial service, he cried when people called to give their condolences and he cried at the grave site. No parent should ever have to bury a child and no one should suffer this dreadful disease that has taken the lives of so many. My brother was just 42 when he died. By walking in the DC AIDS walk, I am putting my foot down against this disease. We must find a cure so that no other family has to endure watching a loved one die.

-Kimberly McCoid

The Aids Walk is held at Freedom Plaza (Pennsylvania Avenue and 14th Street, NW), begins with a rally at 8:30 am. The 5K run will begin at 9:00 am and the walk steps off at 9:15 am. People who wish to participate can register, donate money or volunteer by calling 202-332-WALK or by visiting www.aidswalkwashington.org.

Established in 1978, Whitman-Walker Clinic is a non-profit, community-based provider of health care in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. Through two sites in the District of Columbia, the Clinic offers primary medical and dental care; mental health and addictions counseling and treatment; HIV education, prevention, and testing; legal services; and medical adherence case management. Whitman-Walker Clinic is committed to meeting the health needs of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community and people living with HIV/AIDS.