George Mason Support for Individuals Living with AIDS
Beginning in September of 1986, an annual AIDS walk and 5k was started by the Whitman-Walker Foundation in order to raise money for individuals living with AIDS and HIV. This fundraiser aims to provide health care for all of these individuals, provide education regarding the disease, and to provide prevention methods for all people. (1) This fundraising event is based out of the DC Metropolitan area, and our George Mason Students attended this event in October of 1996, September of 1997 and October of 1998. In 1996, the George Mason team raised $7,900. In 1997, George Mason University alone raised $8,600 towards the fundraiser and had approximately 175 people on the George Mason Team. Although a hard number for the amount of money raised and the number of people at the 1998 AIDS walk from George Mason, a team still made an appearance to support those living with AIDS. Approximately 25,000 people attended the 1998 walk according to a report from the Washington Post. (2) These fundraising events have continued on an annual basis, raising over $370,000 in September 2025. (3)
In September of 1997, Bob Hattoy, an activist for LGBTQIA+ rights, environmental rights, and AIDS awareness and support came to George Mason to speak to students about the importance of AIDS awareness, as well as mentioning the struggles he personally struggles with while fighting AIDS and how discrimination has impacted his life. (4) Hattoy encourages students to attend the AIDSWALK in order to increase fundraising and fight against the lack of funding for individuals with AIDS/HIV. He stated “it is also a disease that kills people with homophobia and bigotry”, referring to the social beliefs related to individuals with AIDS/HIV.
References:
1. Redclay, “‘We Can See the Finish Line’ ﹘ a Photo History of the Walk & 5k to End HIV,” Whitman, January 3, 2024, https://www.whitman-walker.org/we-can-see-the-finish-line-%EF%B9%98-a-photo-history-of-the-walk-5k-to-end-hiv/#:~:text=to%20End%20HIV-,%E2%80%9CWe%20Can%20See%20the%20Finish%20Line%E2%80%9D%20%EF%B9%98%20A%20Photo%20History,the%20walk%20raised%20nearly%20$200%2C000.
2. Jennifer Ordonez, “For D.C. AIDS Walkers, Steps of Hope - the Washington Post,” Washington Post, October 4, 1998, https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1998/10/05/for-dc-aids-walkers-steps-of-hope/ec92ee6c-7cff-4b73-acdc-89c8dba70961/.
3. WI Web Staff, “Annual Whitman-Walker HIV Walk Draws Thousands, Raises $370K,” The Washington Informer, September 22, 2025, https://www.washingtoninformer.com/whitman-walker-walk-5k-hiv-2/.
4. Melissa Block, “Activist Bob Hattoy Dies of Complications from AIDS,” NPR, March 6, 2007, https://www.npr.org/2007/03/06/7738479/activist-bob-hattoy-dies-of-complications-from-aids.