Ca Marche

Fighting AIDS on foot

AIDS walk Ça Marche celebrates its 18th anniversary this Sunday, Sept. 19. The seven-kilometre walk raises funds for the Farha Foundation, which assists AIDS and HIV organizations in Que bec.

“The goal of the walk is of course to raise money, but also to raise awareness,” says Linda Farha, whose brother, Ron, started the Farha Foundation before losing his own life to AIDS in 1993. She notes that raising money for HIV and AIDS has become more challenging in recent years, due to public misperception about how serious the disease still is. “People think they’ve found a cure, they see people living longer… but the reality is, there is no cure,” says Farha.

The walk starts in Parc Émilie-Gamelin, by Berri metro. Start time is 10:30 a.m., but walkers are encouraged to arrive early. Organizers expect between 6,000–8000 walkers, and have set a fundraising goal of $450,000. Donations are encouraged, but it’s free to participate.

The walk’s route will feature entertainment, including singers Randi Katz, Colin Moore and Bruno Labrie of Star Académie fame. “It’s a spiritual event, but there’s always something entertaining going on, keeping you touched by the cause,” says Farha.

To learn more about Ça Marche, or to make a donation, visit the Farha Foundation’s website at farha.qc.ca.

—ELISABETH FAURE