AIDS Walk Delaware Marks 40 Years Of HIV Awareness

WILMINGTON, Del., Sept. 14, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- AIDS Walk Delaware, one of the nation’s longest-running HIV awareness events, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. The 40th Annual AIDS Walk Delaware will take place on September 19, 2026, at Brandywine Park in Wilmington and the Bandstand in downtown Rehoboth Beach. The event, co-hosted by AIDS Delaware and the Delaware HIV Consortium, has brought together people living with HIV, families, caregivers, advocates, healthcare providers, businesses, and volunteers over four decades.

The walk serves as a fundraiser and a public show of support for prevention, care, and education. It aims to remind Delawareans that no one faces HIV alone. Domenic Merendino, Executive Director of AIDS Delaware, expressed the significance of the event, stating, "For 40 years, this walk has represented the very best of Delaware. AIDS Walk Delaware honors the lives we've lost, celebrates the progress we've made, and reminds us that the fight against HIV is far from over."

Medical advances have transformed HIV treatment and prevention, but the need for services remains significant. Tyler Berl, Executive Director of the Delaware HIV Consortium, emphasized the community's role in the event's success, saying, "As one of the oldest HIV walks in the country reaches its 40th year, we are reminded that this movement has always been built by community. This anniversary is not only about reflecting on the past. It is about ensuring that people living with HIV continue to have access to the care, services, and support they deserve."

Funds raised from the walk support HIV-related services across Delaware, including prevention education, free HIV testing, linkage to care, food assistance, housing support, transportation, and medical case management. The event has become a symbol of resilience and solidarity, showcasing the ongoing commitment to addressing HIV in Delaware.

AIDS Delaware, founded in 1984, is the state's oldest and largest HIV service organization. It provides a range of services statewide, including prevention education, free confidential testing, medical case management, food assistance, mental health support, and housing assistance. The Delaware HIV Consortium, a statewide nonprofit, focuses on improving the lives of people living with HIV and strengthening the state's response through advocacy, planning, education, and collaboration.

The 40th Annual AIDS Walk Delaware is a testament to the enduring commitment of the community to support those affected by HIV. As the event approaches, it serves as a reminder of the progress made and the challenges that still lie ahead in the fight against HIV.