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To commemorate the 2026 Dr. Robert J. Fass Memorial AIDS Walk Central Ohio and to commend its organizers, sponsors, volunteers and participants for their dedicated efforts to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS.
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WHEREAS, more than 24,000 Ohioans are currently living with HIV or presumed infected but undiagnosed; and
WHEREAS, one in five people infected with HIV do not know that they are infected, and nearly a thousand new cases of HIV are diagnosed in Ohio every year; and
WHEREAS, Franklin County has led the state with the highest number of new infections in each of the past six years; and
WHEREAS, the 2026 Dr. Robert J. Fass Memorial AIDS Walk Central Ohio is the largest HIV/AIDS awareness event in the Franklin County area; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the walk is to raise awareness and funds for HIV/AIDS service organizations through education and promotional activities leading up to the walk and through the participation of walkers and volunteers in a community-oriented event; and
WHEREAS, funds raised at the walk help participating AIDS service organizations - including AIDS Resource Center Ohio, The Ohio State University AIDS Clinical Trials Unit, Camp Sunrise, Delaware County AIDS Task Force, Montaña de Luz, Nationwide Children's Hospital FACES Program and Ohio AIDS Coalition - provide education, prevention, testing services, housing, medication assistance, supplies, and other services to care for people living with HIV/AIDS; and
WHEREAS, the 2026 Dr. Robert J. Fass Memorial AIDS Walk Central Ohio will be held on April 18th at Genoa Park with registration beginning at 9:00 a.m. and the walk/run stepping off at 10:30 a.m.; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council hereby commemorates the 2026 Dr. Robert J. Fass Memorial AIDS Walk Central Ohio and expresses our appreciation for its organizers, supporters, volunteers, and participants.