Walking for awareness – The Vacaville Reporter

Mario Saucedo with the Solano AIDS Coalition walks with a group in remembrance of those lost or suffering from HIV/AIDS during World AIDS Day in Vallejo on Friday. (Chris Riley/Times-Herald)

Dawning red ribbons and a variety of signs, members of the Vallejo community were joined by city, county and state officials on Friday evening to participate in the inaugural AIDS Walk and Celebration of Life event organized by the Solano AIDS Coalition.

The event was held in coordination with several other communities worldwide to recognize World AIDS Day and spread awareness while mourning those who have died of the disease.

Mario Saucedo, founder and executive director of the Solano AIDS Coalition, said he decided to organize this inaugural event to further the organization’s efforts to educate the community about HIV and AIDS, while bringing attention to the organization’s active involvement within the community.

“It is very sad to see that the rates of HIV are still so high,” said Saucedo. “We know it is preventable and how to deal with it when someone is infected, but a lot of the spread is due to ignorance, especially when it comes to youth and senior citizens. I wanted to organize this walk to make sure that people are aware that the virus is still here and help them learn how to deal with it.”

To kick off the event, an estimated 100-150 people gathered at the Ferry Building in Vallejo to make the half-mile walk to the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum. There, informational tables were set up and free HIV and STI testing were provided. A ceremony to recognize community members who have helped the Solano AIDS Coalition fulfill its mission was also held before several public speakers addressed those in attendance.

Saucedo also included a performance by a Mexican folklorico dance group because, he said, it is important to involve culture and art in all of the events he organizes so people feel more comfortable and connected. These aspects can also help open the doors to further communication about other topics such as health status and testing, he said.

Acintia Wright, a human services community outreach specialist who spoke during the event, said she has spoken out about HIV and AIDS for years to encourage people to get tested.

“I want to make it a normal thing,” said Wright. “Not a lot of people come forward – African Americans, Whites, Hispanics, people in general – because it is still such a hush, hush disease, but people are still dying.”

According to Wright, when she was diagnosed 28 years ago there were very few people that were open about their diagnosis, especially people with an African American and Hispanic background like herself.

“There were no women, especially not black women,” said Wright. “Magic Johnson was the only person at this time that I knew of that had been diagnosed.”

When Wright received her original diagnosis, she said she was told that she had just seven years to live, which led her to several concerns about not being able to be there for her children and family. After getting over the initial shock of her diagnosis, Wright decided to educate herself as much as possible and used this knowledge to speak out about the virus.

“I felt very isolated and I didn’t want anyone else to have to feel that way,” said Wright.

Wright said she hopes to combat the stigma that is associated with HIV and AIDS by speaking out and letting people know that regardless of age, sex, race or region, it can happen to anyone.

“This disease has no name, no shape, no color,” said Wright. “It can hit us all.”

While this was the first event of this kind to take place in Solano County, this year marks the 35th annual observance of World AIDS Day.

The World Health Organization (WHO) established World AIDS Day in 1988 to facilitate the exchange of information among national and local governments, international organizations, and individuals and, as the numbers rose through the years, event organizers said AIDS awareness became increasingly concerned with educating societies about HIV and AIDS through the unification and monetary support of international organizations.

Saucedo said the Solano AIDS Coalition operates solely on donations from the community and the generosity of their longtime volunteers, but with the passing of longtime supporter Greg Schoep, owner of the Vallejo Holistic Health Center, the organization is in need of donations to continue doing the work they have been doing within the community for the last 20 years.

At this time, the organization is facilitating an “Island of Misfit Toys” Drive through Dec. 23. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at several Vallejo locations, including:

• The Immersive Learning Center, 250 Georgia St.
• Town House, 401 Georgia St.
• Sac’s Tasty Hot Dogs, 2545 Spring St.
• Every Day Is A Gift, 2515 Spring Rd.
• Beres Bridal Tuxedo Formal Wear, 530 Broadway St.
• Sharky’s Chicken and Fish, 3730 Sonoma Blvd.
• Better Health Group, 3611 Sonoma Blvd.
• Highway 29, 3737 Sonoma Blvd.
• Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum, 734 Marin St.
• Alibi Bookstore, 624 Marin St.

Monetary donations can also be made year-round at solanoaidscoalition.org.

A distribution to provide toys to children affected by HIV and AIDS and other families in need is planned to take place Dec. 23. In previous years, Saucedo said the drive has provided toys, turkeys, and gift cards to an estimated 1400 underprivileged children in Solano County and organizers hope they will be able to meet this same goal again this year despite financial challenges.