PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — For the first time in two years, AIDS Walk Philly was held in person Sunday, in its 35th year altogether.
Dozens of walkers gathered at the Philadelphia Museum of Art to begin the 5k walk that traverses Martin Luther King Jr. and Kelly drives.
"We didn't know what to expect and it's really exciting to be back here in person and have everyone's support," said Robb Reichard, executive director of AIDS Fund, which holds the event.
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Reichard said he's participated in the walk for the last 34 years. He added even though he's dedicated his life to the cause, it's always a time of reflection for him.
"[I] volunteered beside many people who we lost to the epidemic, collegues and friends," he said. "All of them were my peers who died way too young."
Reichard said throughout the pandemic, organizations they worked with to get people with HIV and AIDS the help they need have been instrumental.
"[They] turned on a dime to make sure the clients were served, medical appointments made available and all of that," he said. "I think part of that is, these organizations are led by people who have been through a pandemic before."
There was also a special, sobering memento on display for walkers to reflect upon during the event — the AIDS Quilt, which has grown year after year since its first public display in 1987. It now weighs around 54 tons and spans 1.2 million feet.
Parts of the quilt bearing names, pictures and memorabilia of people who died from AIDS was on display in front of the Art Museum as people gathered for the walk.
"It is composed of six-by-three-foot panels that are made by people who are mourning the death of a colleague or a loved one from AIDS," said the AIDS Fund's Pat Lavelle, who was in charge of bringing the quilt. She said taking it to different places and events is important to her.
"It was actually displayed the week that my brother was dying of AIDS in Washington," she shared.
AIDS Fund says there are an estimated 30,000 people in the region living with HIV, and funds raised from the walk are instrumental in helping many of them. Officials said it was important to hold the event in person this year, as they said Philadelphians are being infected at a rate five times the national average, and 50% higher than New York City residents.