WLOSer Russ Bowen will serve as the honorary chairman of the big annual fundraising event for the WNC AIDS Project this year known as the Raise Your Hand auction, set for Oct. 31. A big word of thanks to Russ for lending his support here. Full disclosure: I’m a member of the WNCAP board, and I think the organization does vitally important work.
Press release here. Here’s Russ’ statement.
Life’s journey isn’t always, if given the chance, what we might choose. None of us would chose to be in this position. Twenty seven years after AIDS was given a name and twenty five years after HIV was identified we still search for a cure and a vaccine. But, one thing we can chose to do is be part of the process. A process that includes awareness, education, a helping hand and most of all compassion. Until there is an end to the HIV/AIDS pandemic no one can afford to stop.
It’s difficult to imagine that today’s thirty year olds have lived with the global reality of HIV/AIDS most of their lives. Those of us who are a little older have watched a disease shrouded in mystery in the early days evolve into a relatively manageable illness if the proper care is available. However, the road to get there was a difficult painstaking process with way to many casualties. The hope for life saving drugs fell short for many of our friends and family. The cost has been enormous. Some of the greatest thinkers, artists and just regular folk have left us with their dreams and goals unrealized. How sad it is to think of the harsh and unforgiving end they suffered. But, thanks to WNCAP they didn’t do it alone. Now we watch as those movers, shakers, dreamers and givers grow old and happy and full of so much life.
WNCAP continues to be a tremendous supporter of the HIV/AIDS community. It is made up of people who understand the fight is far from over. For many it is the only window to a future that is real and reachable. The outstanding work of WNCAP dissolves the struggle, worry, suffering and helplessness so many would otherwise face. Instead, to steal from case worker Debbie Pustorino’s reference to Rumer Godden, each room is taken care of. The physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Thank you WNCAP for making the choice to be part of the journey. It continues to be what matters most to so many.
Please join me October 31st and Raise Your Hand. Say yes to the journey.