Last year, as World AIDS Day approached, there was a lot of talk and many news reports about “HIV fatigue.” After living with the virus for more than two decades, it was reported that our community was just tired of fighting, that donors were tired of giving to HIVAIDS causes and that far too many were tired of making the effort to protect themselves by practicing safer sex.

And, unfortunately, we know that some of those stories contained some truth. We can’t pretend HIV fatigue doesn’t or hasn’t existed. The fight against HIV is a draining one and at times can take its toll.

However, this year, some of the reports have been different.

This year, more than 12,000 San Diegans participated in the 17th annual AIDS Walk. They helped raise more than $500,000 for San Diegans impacted by HIV/AIDS. San Diegans answered the call: San Diegans of every socioeconomic background, San Diegans who were HIV-positive and HIV-negative, San Diegans of every race and of many faiths. Men and women, young and old, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and straight showed up.

For some, this has become an annual tradition, an event they participate in each year. For others, it was their first time, and they were inspired to get more involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS. There were adults with their parents in tow and parents with their little ones in strollers; sometimes all three generations of a family were represented. The largest AIDS Walk team, again this year, was from Frances Parker School. We need them all, and we are grateful for their efforts.

In addition, our San Diego community is so fortunate because, through the San Diego HIV Funding Collaborative, the money raised from AIDS Walk is combined with other donations from local and national funders, as well as national matching funds. This unique partnership increases the contributions to local service providers, and therefore increases the impact of each dollar raised for AIDS Walk San Diego.

While AIDS Walk is just one day out of the year, the images of that day remain in my mind. The picture is one of a diverse community coming together, keeping up our unique San Diego tradition of compassion, collaboration and action. The feeling it conveys is hope.

We need moments like that – and the hope they bring – to continue to address the challenges of HIV/AIDS. Since that first report in 1981, more than 25 million people worldwide have died of HIV/AIDS, and approximately 40.3 million more are known to be infected. It’s a daunting fight, but one we must remain committed to.

It is still difficult to develop and implement effective prevention messages and strategies. But to truly bring our best thinking and efforts to stop the spread of HIV, we must operate from a place of hope.

On this World AIDS Day, we remember those we have lost to the disease and honor those who continue to fight it. But we must also commemorate this day with a commitment to continued action. We need creative, compassionate and energetic people to help fight this pandemic. It is clear that we make great strides when we work hard and when we work together. This is a fight that still needs us. I hope you will be part of it.