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MAKING A BIG IMPACT
NYC Marathon Man Having a "BIG" Impact on HIV/AIDS Awareness!

Somewhere between all the P. Diddy hype and the sunny skies of an exceptionally warm November Sunday in New York one average New Yorker was running to make a difference in the global impact of HIV/AIDS in Black communities worldwide.

by Samiya Bashir

36-year-old Brooklyn native Walter Mosley (no relation to the award-winning author), HIV/AIDS liaison to Brooklyn Assemblyman Clarence Norman, Jr., had never run a marathon before.

However, his dedication to the eradication of HIV/AIDS in Black communities, his tenacity in working with friends, families and associates to raise money, and nine months of training led to a race that he not only completed in an amazing 5 hours, 38 minutes, but on which he plans to build in years to come.

“So long as we’ve got to battle this disease I’m going to keep on doing it,” said Mosley. “Next year it’s going to be bigger and better!”

“I sit on various committees dealing with the disease,” Mosley continued, “but I’m more of an action person. Sometimes it’s not just about talking about the epidemic or the theories. Sometimes you have to go out and do something that’s a little more tangible. The most tangible thing I could do was to raise much-needed money.”

Mosley, who took up long distance running just this year, trained for 9 months to complete the marathon, even battling a vicious stomach virus that worked to take him down in the midst of his training. Still, “It was a great experience,” said Mosley, “probably the most grueling and intense physical thing I’ve ever put myself through.”

To date he’s raised almost $5,000.00 by talking to friends, family, professional associates, and even other organizations, and more donations are coming in daily. Most of all he raised the money through his many months of training and dedication to completing the race!

“I know that this is not just a parochial disease--it’s worldwide. I wanted to help a group that is dealing with the disease, but doing it from a global standpoint. The fact that The Balm In Gilead is also dealing with it from a spiritual standpoint made it seem like an organization I wanted to work for. I read about the organization in The Daily News, and looked up the website, then I reached out to Nadine [Dennis, Director of Development], and that was that!”

The best news of all is that he’s not even close to slowing down. After only a few days rest, Mosley has already begun training for 2004.

He gathered a few training partners at the race and began working out again just a couple of days ago. “I’ll probably run my first race in February,” said Mosley. “I’m looking forward to 2004 and raising $10,000!”

Thank you again Mr. Mosley for all of your hard work, dedication and determination!

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. – I Corinthians 9:24

If you’re interested in contributing to the spread of HIV/AIDS education, awareness, treatment and care in the Black faith communities served by The Balm In Gilead by participating in The BIG Impact Run, please contact Nadine Dennis, Director of Development by calling 212-730-7381 or email Ms. Dennis at ndennis@balmingilead.org for more information.

Samiya Bashir is the Director of Communications for The Balm In Gilead. She can be reached at sbashir@balmingilead.org