Eighteen years ago, the first time I participated in AIDS Walk Houston, I don’t remember why I did it. I think I may have been in a relationship and my partner and I decided to walk with a few of our friends, so I raised a little money, and we showed up on Sunday morning and did the walk. It was a great experience for a good cause.

The next two years, I did the AIDS Walk because I lost two friends to HIV/AIDS and wanted to do something in their honor. Being a little bit competitive, I always tried to raise more money than the previous year.

When I was fundraising for my third year, I hit total hysteria. I asked everyone I knew to support me and ended up in the top three fundraisers. When I finished the walk, I was exhilarated, but strangely a little let down. I had put my heart and soul in to raising money in tribute to my friend, and I was left feeling a little hollow. I wanted to do something else to help.

I began volunteering at AIDS Foundation Houston that year. I became facilitating Volunteer Orientation on Saturdays and when it came time for people to sign up for volunteer opportunities, I was told to encourage people to volunteer to be counselors at Camp Hope, a summer camp near Brenham for kids with HIV.

As I was encouraging people to go Camp Hope, I realized that I wanted to check it out myself, so I put in my application. I figured I could give up a week of my summer and even if I didn’t love it, I could work on my tan.

Well, all it took was a week at the camp to realize where my passion was. On my second day at Camp Hope, I was introduced to a little girl named Vicki who loved camp and helped me see this special place through her eyes. She made me realize why it was so wonderful to have a place like our camp where she could be could be cared for, accepted, and loved.

I left camp that year not knowing if I would ever see Vicki again, but promised to come back as long as she did. In spite of her failing health, she made it back for the next three summers. Vicki passed away a few years ago, but I still return.

Through Camp Hope, I have met the most amazing kids who, in spite of daily struggles with their health and home lives, get to spend one week out of their summer being just kids instead of kids with a potentially fatal disease. I have also had the opportunity to work the most wonderful volunteer counselors, medical professionals, and program staff who give their time, hearts, smiles, laughter, and tears to make sure these kids not only have a better summer, but a better life.

That was 15 years ago and I now raise money and participate in AIDS Walk Houston every year to help fund the incredible work being done by AIDS Foundation Houston for Camp Hope and all the other worthwhile beneficiaries.

AIDS Walk Houston brings together a diverse and committed group of people as a reminder that we have all suffered the threat and impact of this disease and we all have to work together to defeat it. Our walk is not one of sadness or regret, it is a symbol of people standing together, walking together, and fighting together to win against this disease and care for its victims. It is a symbol of remembrance of those we have lost, hope for the future and the hard work that needs to be done in between.

AIDS Foundation Houston AIDS Walk will take place at 10 a.m. Sunday at Sam Houston Park rain or shine. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. For more details, click here.