The annual AIDS Walk brings thousands to Golden Gate Park on Sunday

SAN FRANCISCO — About 2,000 people marched through Golden Gate Park on Sunday for San Francisco’s annual AIDS march.

Among those present were Susan McClain and her daughter.

“It’s hard to believe – I’m 55 – and in 1985 it was thought it was over. We would find a cure. But unfortunately we are still fighting,” she said.

People have been gathering for this walk since the 1980s as a way to raise awareness, education and fundraising for HIV-AIDS research.

Event director Bert Champagne said he was pleased with the turnout, although the march did not attract as many people as before.

“There are so many great people here supporting people living with HIV. We’re very excited about this year,” he said. “There are so many things that are going well for people with AIDS, but people are still dying and people are still in need of our services.”

About 3,400 people showed up for the first AIDS walk in San Francisco in 1987. The epidemic would worsen from then on for several years.

In 1992, cases peaked in San Francisco. In 1994, AIDS became the leading cause of death for all Americans between the ages of 25 and 44, according to a timeline from the University of California, San Francisco.

Since then, a lot has changed. New HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths have fallen dramatically and treatment has advanced dramatically. Yet there is no cure.

It was on Lee Johansen’s mind as he absorbed some of the stories and tributes seen on the AIDS quilt during the walk.

“So many stories of individuals. It tears you up inside,” he said. “People are still getting infected. Maybe not at the rate they were getting infected, but it’s still a problem. Just because we have drugs today that can make life tolerable doesn’t mean it’s gone. .”

Promoting education and awareness and keeping history alive – these are two reasons McClain decided to show up on Sunday.

“It’s something that still needs to be talked about,” she said. “People are still dying of AIDS. We still need to do more outreach so that our young people know today that this is still something we are fighting to this day.

The event raised about $1 million initially, according to Champagne. Proceeds will benefit 15 AIDS service organizations.