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Published on 10/06/1999 All articles from this issue

Los Altos resident walks for AIDS battle

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Town Crier Staff Report

As an AIDS patient, Steve Woodfin of Los Altos is trying to make a difference. He'll be among an estimated 3,500 expected to participate in this year's Santa Clara County Walk For AIDS. The event is scheduled for Oct. 17, starting in downtown San Jose.

Woodfin, a former software developer, was declared HIV positive in 1985, and has since battled the disease and his health insurance company. He is assisted by Health Connections, an organization that helps patients in disputes over insurance payments.

Woodfin will be walking with a group representing Health Connections.

"One of my philosophies on life is taking your wound and making it into a gift," Woodfin said.

He participated in the walk last year, raising approximately $600. He hopes to raise more than $1,000 this year.

Woodfin, 50, said he's doing "OK" with the disease currently. It took five years for symptoms to show after his initial diagnosis.

Organizers of the event said that despite recent advances, "the stark realities of the epidemic remain. No one has been cured. No one has been successfully vaccinated. HIV continues to spread. And more individuals live today with HIV/AIDS than ever before."

The event begins at 8:45 a.m. with an opening ceremony led by San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales and Police Chief Bill Lansdowne. The walk will meander through the city's Rose Garden district, down The Alameda, and back to its downtown starting point.

In its 10th year, "The walk is the largest fund-raising event for HIV/AIDS in Santa Clara County," said Judy Whittier, chairwoman of Walk For AIDS '99. Last year's event raised $275,000 for 10 county organizations providing services and prevention education to those living with HIV/AIDS, organizers said.

For more information about the event, call (408) 451-WALK, e-mail walk@best.com or visit the Web site at www.walkforaids.org on the Web.