Cempa Community Care and the Chattanooga CARES Foundation invite community members to take strides against HIV in the organization’s 26th annual fundraising event, Strides of March.

Cempa encourages participants to take strides wherever they are in the greater Chattanooga area, whether it is downtown, along the Riverwalk, in Hixson, Ooltewah or Brainerd — or even from the couch.

“The Chattanooga CARES Foundation has been fighting HIV and AIDS for more than 30 years, providing care for people living with HIV,” says Cempa CEO Shannon Stephenson.

“Join us throughout the month of March, count your strides and give back.”

Strides of March raises thousands of dollars each year that help provide care for those with HIV, hepatitis C and other STIs in our community. 

Cempa will hold a virtual ceremony at noon on Saturday, March 27, to celebrate the strides made in the treatment and prevention of HIV in the community. 

Participants can make their steps significant, dedicating the first 762 steps for Tennesseans newly diagnosed with HIV, 17,344 steps for people living with HIV in Tennessee today, or 10,580 steps to celebrate the number of people in Tennessee who are virally suppressed.

“We invite people to take their own strides and count steps, whether it’s a 5K, 10K or just walking 10,000 steps in one day,” says Mitzi Ward, development & events coordinator at Cempa. “Since our very first walk 26 years ago, we’ve made incredible strides in care, prevention, and treatment for people living with HIV in this region. We are so thankful for our community and their continued support.”

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