On 12 September 2015, the Beijing leg of the fourth China AIDS Walk took place on the Jinshanling Great Wall. More than 150 walkers from different nationalities and communities took part in the hike to benefit children affected by HIV/AIDS in Daliangshan (Sichuan Province).
Liu Jiulong, an HIV-positive participant in the Jiangxi “Ride with AIDS” event, was a prominent China AIDS Walker. He just finished a 43-day bike ride from Nanjing to Beijing to raise HIV/AIDS awareness. During the walk, he held a “Free Hug” advocacy activity, giving away free hugs to all China AIDS Walkers and passers-by.
Liu Jiulong: “I experienced fear and despair, and of course I also encountered discrimination. Yet I learned to face up to my illness. I managed to conquer the Great Wall of self-discrimination that was enclosing my heart.”
Xiao Fu, a young HIV-positive person born in the 90s, also took part in giving away free hugs. He did it to influence others with his own positive, optimistic and sunny disposition.
Xiao Fu: “This is my first time participating in the China AIDS Walk. I now realize that this world is a warm place. Everybody here really accepts HIV-positive people, and they all want to give us a hug.”
On this year’s China AIDS Walk Beijing event, there were 4 HIV/AIDS knowledge stops. They enabled people to learn more about the progress of the global fight against HIV/AIDS in a playful fashion, and largely enriched the hike.
The 2015 China AIDS Walk hopes to bring more attention and care towards children affected by HIV/AIDS in Daliangshan (Sichuan Province). It raises funds to provide them with powdered milk.
After finishing the Beijing leg of its journey, the China AIDS Walk will go to Taiyuan (Shanxi Province) on 20 September. The China AIDS Walk has already raised more than 100.000 yuan renminbi for its cause. You can donate to the China AIDS Walk up until 15 October – every contribution counts, every voice counts, so please join us in our fight for love and care!
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