AIDS Walk Celebrates Life, And Brings Awareness

It used to be that people diagnosed with AIDS, focused more on preparing to die. But Saturday, hundreds gathered for a 'Celebration of Life', to honor people living and overcoming the AIDS virus.
The Arkansas Aids Foundation held its 5th annual Arkansas AIDS Walk Saturday morning on the grounds of the Clinton Presidential Center. Besides the walk, there was a health fair, with free HIV screenings. Proceeds from the event go to Arkansans living with AIDS, to help pay for their everyday healthcare needs. But the walk also raises awareness, that AIDS can strike anyone.

"There's no race or color or ethnic background. AIDS does not discriminate, so it's very important that each of us is educated about the disease,"  Nakia Williams with the Arkansas AIDS Foundation said.

Organizers say that over 4,200 Arkansans have been diagnosed with AIDS, and that a growing number of African-American women have the virus.