Weehawken native Carlos Iglesias and his partner, Chris Howatt, have been touched many times by friends and relatives who have been infected with the HIV virus and later died from AIDS. “I’ve actually had two really close friends who have been HIV positive for many years and a close friend’s sister passed away from AIDS,” said Iglesias, who is a product of the Weehawken schools system, a graduate of Weehawken High and now works as a program coordinator at Columbia University. “I’m a singer and actor,” said Howatt, who performs with the musical group, Eastern Standard Time. “So through that business, I’ve lost a lot of friends to AIDS. It’s really hit me hard.” So needless to say, when someone approached the pair four years ago to participate in the AIDS Walk New York event, both Iglesias and Howatt were eager to join the fight. AIDS Walk New York is the 10-kilometer stroll through Central Park that helps raise money to benefit the Gay Men’s Health Crisis, an organization that helps people living with HIV and AIDS. The AIDS Walk fund-raisers have taken place in several cities in the United States since 1985, with the New York-based event beginning a year later. The Weehawken pair decided to sign up for the cause four years ago and have been active in trying to raise funds every year since. They launched a letter writing campaign, have passed out fliers all over town – even attracted friends from the Internet to try to solicit funds for the walk. And the two are at it again, raising money for this year’s walk, which will take place Sunday, May 21, in Central Park. “In the past, we’ve been able to generate a lot of response,” Iglesias said. “People have called us or written to us and ask how they can help, either by wanting to walk themselves or by donating money. I’ve gone all over Weehawken, putting the flier in people’s mailboxes, handing them out at the stores. I ask people to open their hearts and their wallets and sponsor us.” Iglesias is especially touched when he receives a letter or a pledge from a complete stranger – and that happened at least 30 times last year from Weehawken residents. “That’s such a great feeling to know that people in the community are willing to help,” Iglesias said. “People who don’t even know us are willing to give us a check,” Howatt said. “It’s very reassuring that people in the neighborhood still care.” Because of the advent of modern medicine and technology, there have been many recent breakthroughs in the treatment of the HIV virus and AIDS. People infected with the virus and disease are living longer and fuller lives than before. But because of the advances in medicine, there is a misguided perception that AIDS is no longer a major concern – and that’s a complete fallacy. “At the height of the AIDS epidemic, it was on every magazine and newspaper cover and all over the television,” Iglesias said. “It became such a common thing that there isn’t as much light on it now. But it’s still out there.” Here are some startling statistics: Nearly 4,000 people died of AIDS in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area last year alone. Every 13 minutes, an American, probably under the age of 25, is infected with HIV. One of every four Americans infected with the virus now is a teenager. AIDS cases among women have doubled in recent years. “Recently, the numbers of AIDS deaths have dropped dramatically,” Howatt said. “And while new medications have been promising, people are still dying, especially younger people under 18 who think they can have unprotected sex because AIDS is cured. But it’s not. They can still get it and they can still die. “And people have always thought that AIDS is a gay disease,” Howatt said. “It never was. There are more women now who contract the virus through unprotected sex more than anyone. It’s a very sobering thought.” Howatt said that he is invigorated by the annual appeal for funds in Weehawken. Last year, the pair raised $2,000 in local donations. They’re hoping to top that total this year. “It’s so heartening,” Howatt said. “Especially in this area, where some people think that everyone is out for themselves. That’s not necessarily true and this is proof. I really enjoy taking the time and making the time to first get out to raise the funds, then to participate in the walk. You get so caught up in making money all the time that you forget you have to give something back.” Howatt added, “This sort of restores your soul and gives you a feeling of community. You’re walking with 40,000 people in a relatively close space, so it gives you a sense of camaraderie. The whole process is invigorating and restores your faith in fellow man. It’s an emotional experience and I always get moved. It’s important to me that I walk for my friends, the ones I’ve lost, that day.” Because of the vast number of AIDS reported cases in Hudson County, Iglesias would love to see an similar event take place in Hudson County in the future. Until then, Iglesias said that he can’t do enough for the cause. “Until they find a cure, it’s something I’m going to do every year,” Iglesias said. “I’ll do whatever I can.” Already, the pair is doing their fair share. If anyone is interested in sponsoring Iglesias and Howatt in the AIDS Walk New York, they can write a check in care of AIDS Walk New York and send it to: 12 Liberty Place, Apt. B-3, Weehawken, N.J., 07087, or write via e-mail at candc1@aol.com. If anyone is interested in walking, they can call (212) 807-WALK.
Walking for a cause: Weehawken pair solicit funds for AIDS Walk New York
