San Francisco Marks 30 Years Of AIDS Epidemic
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - San Francisco, considered by many to be ground zero in the fight against HIV and AIDS, prepared to mark 30 years in the fight against the epidemic Wednesday, World AIDS Day.
In those 30 years, 30,000 have been diagnosed with the disease in San Francisco alone. Worldwide, an estimated 25 million people have contracted the disease.
KCBS' Tim Ryan Reports:
The San Francisco-based group "Positive Pedalers" rode 30 miles through the City on Sunday to bring attention to the fight against HIV and AIDS.
"We went through Bayview-Hunters Point, we went through Ingleside and we went through the Mission and Outer Mission and then into the Castro," described Positive Pedalers co-chair David Duncan.
"We're here really today in this ride to remember all the people that we have lost and to hope that we're not going to have to go through another 30 years of this."
Carol Hyman carried a photo of an old college boyfriend as she participated in the ride.
"I went to try and find him on Google, as one does. And I found his obituary. And discovered that he had died of AIDS."
Riders declared that medical advances were crucial in the fight against the epidemic.
"Drugs have allowed us to have a normal life, almost control the virus for as long as it will. And lead healthy, productive lifestyles," said Jared Smith of Monterey. "Thanks to science and medicine there are many cocktails out there for people that are positive to take. And this gives us longevity."
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