GILROY
– A Gilroy native will strap on a backpack and hike the length
of California this summer to put domestic HIV and AIDS back on the
map.
By Lori Stuenkel
GILROY – A Gilroy native will strap on a backpack and hike the length of California this summer to put domestic HIV and AIDS back on the map.
Josh Bress, a Gilroy High School graduate and first-year medical student at Vanderbilt University, is leading a student campaign called Hike for HIV to raise awareness that AIDS continues to spread here in the U.S.
“If people start thinking that (AIDS) is not an issue here now – that it’s only in Africa or that it’s only in Haiti – then that’s a problem,” Bress said. “We’re letting people know that this hasn’t gone away.”
Part of the issue is less media attention, Bress says, citing a study that shows a relationship between fewer AIDS-related articles and more HIV infections.
To symbolize the journey that must be undertaken to stop the spread of HIV, the 1999 GHS valedictorian, along with fellow Vanderbuilt medical student Kevin Elias, will hike 1,723 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail from May – the day after final exams – until August. They will endure desert temperatures and altitudes reaching 14,000 feet.
“It’s going to amount to … approximately a marathon a day for 80 days,” Bress said. “We were looking for a distance that people could picture in their minds, and people know what California looks like.”
Although the project started in Nashville, Bress also knew its message would impact people all over the country.
He founded the Hike for HIV after noticing the incurable but preventable disease was a concern to many of his fellow students. To do something about it, Bress looked into ways to help Nashville CARES, a community-based AIDS service organization that offers education and supportive HIV/AIDS services. After reading about the organization’s annual AIDS walk, Bress decided he could do one of his own to raise awareness and funds for Nashville CARES on a national level.
“I just went down there, I found out where the office was and believe me, they were thrilled,” Bress said.
The directors of Nashville CARES gave the hike their blessing and Bress began recruiting other students to help organize the event and launch a fundraising campaign to earn $10 for every mile they walk.
“It’s sort of evolved into a student-led initiative,” Bress said.
In fact, Bress’ campaign grew to include much more than a hike: A dozen Vanderbuilt students joined the movement to woo corporate sponsors, create a Web site and film a documentary about the project.
People all over the country can support Bress’ Hike for HIV by logging on to its Web site and pledging a mile or two. Several businesses already are supporting the project, so the cost of the hike itself will be covered by sponsors rather than community donors.
“If you go online and donate $10, there’s no chance that it will go to buy me socks,” Bress said.
Bress, who earned his bachelor’s degree from Harvard University last year, credits his hometown with instilling in him a desire to serve others.
“One thing that Gilroy taught me is that, whatever community you’re in, you should be a part of it,” he said. “The community you live in isn’t just where you sleep.”
To learn more about the Hike for HIV, or to sponsor a mile, visit www.hikeforhiv.com. E-mail Josh Bress at in**@hi********.com.
