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"Cut Up For Life" Event Takes Over Chattanooga Market

103 views · Published 22 October 2012 · 2:00 · Indexed 1 November 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2012 · News & Politics

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by Alyssa SpiratoAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 50 thousand Americans will become diagnosed with AIDS each year.    Chattanooga CARES is a local organization aimed at awareness and prevention of HIV and AIDS. Sunday, they had a little bit of help promoting the cause.Angie Pilkington knows first hand how organizations like Chattanooga CARES can help.Her sister was diagnosed with HIV,  and has been receiving care from the organization for 10 years. So for her,  donating her time on Sunday's for the "Cut Up For Life" event was a no-brainer."They helped my sister with counseling and helped her get involved in the community again, instead of shutting herself off and feeling less than everyone else," says Pilkington.According to the CDC,  over 479 thousand people are living with AIDS in the United States, 25% of Americans don't even know they have it. So for organizations like Chattanooga CARES, it's a way to promote awareness and help others in need."Our fight is to help people that may not have the means to help themselves, or might need help with medications. We're providing support for them," says David Martinez with Community CARES.It's a good cause that Diana Cruz and her 10-year-old son, Mateo couldn't pass up, twenty dollars for a high-end haircut, with all proceeds going to the organization."This is part of our normal, everyday routine and it's important for the kids to see that giving to charity is part of the local community much like buying local apples, and supporting local food trucks," says Cruz.Martinez says last year, they raised over ten thousand dollars. This year, they're hoping to raise fifteen thousand.

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