Over the years, events have come and gone.
But, the AIDS walk has been a mainstay.
In fact, in these parts - the Annual AIDS walk, West Hollywood's Halloween Carnival (go figure!) and the Gay Pride Parade have always been the three largest "must-attend" celebrations of the year.
When the epidemic first broke out a couple of decades ago - virtually nothing was known about the disease - except that once a patient displayed symptoms he probably would not survive.
Troubled by inaction on the part of the government - and the frustrations which hindered the medical community - a group of compassionate, dedicated, and capable San Franciscans founded the San Francisco AIDS Foundation in 1982. (SFAF).
It was in this climate of paranoia and uncertainty that SFAF held its first AIDS Walk (originated by 26-year-old Craig Miller) and his newly formed organization of activists in 1985. (MZA Events)
Miller's crusade launched the world’s first successful AIDS Walk in Los Angeles which was followed by another on the eastern seaboard in New York in 1986.
The money raised at that event - and the annual AIDS Walks that have followed - enabled SFAF to engage in critical work and provide services to more than 100,000 men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS and their families.
A portion of the AIDS Walk proceeds have also been distributed to important AIDS organizations within the Bay Area.
There was a breakthrough in 1986 when scientists isolated the virus that causes AIDS and named it the Human Immune-Deficiency Virus (HIV).
Researchers determined that HIV was transmitted sexually or intravenously from one individual to another - man or woman - gay or straight.
In spite of the urgency for action, HIV remained shrouded in ignorance and bigotry.
Shockingly, the Federal government turned a blind eye and was slow to respond to the crisis!
In the early days, the AIDS walk was mainly comprised of gay men afflicted with the disease, their loved ones, family members, researchers, support groups, and concerned health-care workers.
Over the years, I was personally heartened to witness many jump on the bandwagon - young children from schools learning about compassion and understanding and the need to give a selfless helping hand to others - walkers en masse from the "straight community" - and a host of commercial sponsors.
Biggie corporate supporters today include: Bank of America, Target, Toyota, Disney, and 20th Century Fox.
Today, the AIDS walk is hosted by the Hilton Family.
Seems like a scant few years ago the hint of an HIV infection might result in loss of employment, a shunning by society - and worse - a productive useful life to end in despair and misery without hope!
Today, everyone stands in unison, walking tall and proud.
Thanks to people like Elizabeth Taylor, Craig Miller, and SFAF, who have worked tirelessly over the years to raise funds and end discrimination against the infected.
The stigma is on the way out.
Can the cure be far behind?
I have fond memories of the events.
I've "walked the walk" in Los Angeles on numerous occasions - and in San Francisco, Toronto, and on the West Coast of Vancouver - as well.
In spite of the seriousness of the occasion, there's usually a throng of festive walkers in tow, all in good spirits.
Along the route, there are usually a handful of pit-stops, with plenty to snack on to sustain energy levels.
If you attend this year's walk (October 19th) be sure to snap up the - yogurt, fruit, and thirst-quenching water - to buoy yourself up on the energy-sapping journey to raise consciousness and funds for the sick and needy.
And, take a moment to splash in the "water-misters" scattered along the stretch of the "AIDS HIGHWAY" to stay hydrated and fresh for the joyous celebration at the end of the journey.
And, don't forget your cash, checkbooks, and donations!
After all, funding is still needed for research so that a cure may be found to end the deadly reach of this insidious disease.
I have a dream...
Registration info: http://www.aidswalk.net
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