AIDS Walk South Dallas raises awareness and supports people living with HIV

Supporters and community leaders took part in the annual AIDS Walk South Dallas 5K on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to raise awareness and connect residents with healthcare services; organizers said more than a dozen prevention groups provided on-site testing and counseling and that over 21,000 people in Dallas County live with HIV and AIDS.

Supporters, allies and community leaders walked down Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Dallas on Saturday morning for the annual AIDS Walk South Dallas 5K. Organizers said the event aims to raise awareness, promote healthcare services and show support for people living with HIV. The walk has run for 16 years and organizers said it brings critical services directly to the community. Over a dozen HIV and AIDS prevention groups were at the event offering services from on-site testing to counseling. Key details: - The event was an annual 5K walk in South Dallas held on Saturday morning, reported as a community effort to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. - Organizers said the walk has operated for 16 years and focuses on outreach, education and support. - More than a dozen HIV/AIDS prevention groups attended and provided services including on-site testing and counseling. - AIDS Walk South Dallas President and CEO Auntjuan Wiley said some participants would not otherwise visit clinics or organizations, so the event creates an accessible setting for care. - Organizers noted that more than 21,000 people in Dallas County are living with HIV and AIDS. Summary: Organizers said the walk helped bring services directly to residents while aiming to reduce stigma and expand conversations about HIV. Event speakers emphasized that HIV can affect anyone and that stigma remains a barrier to care. Undetermined at this time.