Strides of March for Chattanooga CARES celebrates 23rd year.

The f i rst Strides of March was held in March 1996, at a time when 500,000 cases of AIDS had been reported in the U.S., according to HIV.gov. Through medical advancements and the work of advocates that has changed.

When the 23rd Strides of March is held Saturday, March 24, the annual walk for Chat- tanooga CARES will celebrate how much has been achieved in the battle against HIV, according to Mitzi Ward, CARES spokeswoman.

Strides of March will begin at noon in Renaissance Park. Walk organizers have planned an afternoon of live music from Priscilla & Little RicKee, ales from Heaven & Ale and barbecue from Chatterbox Cafe.

Folks participating in the walk take pledges from family and friends in advance, which are donated to CARES. The agency has a $ 50,000 goal set for this year’s walk.

Those funds will be used to support CARES assistance to all people affected by the HIV virus. CARES offers free rapid HIV testing, Hepatitis C testing and STI testing. Its medical clinic provides comprehensive primary health care, substance abuse and mental health services, adherence counseling, patient education, nutritional services and specialty medical services.

Chattanooga CARES also provides an array of client services including one- on- one case management, support groups, assistance with rent/mortgages, utili- ties, food, client education and job placement.

“Strides of March has long been a staple of our organization,” says Shannon Stephenson, Chattanooga CARES chief executive officer. “It’s a chance for our community to come together in support of those impacted by HIV.”

For more information on Strides of March or to register: www. chattanoogacares.org.

STAFF FILE PHOTO Walkers in a previous Strides of March in Renaissance Park.