In Their Own Words: AIDS Fundraisers Share the Personal Stories that Motivate Them

Angelinos will dodge obstacles Sunday on their way through the city's downtown in a new effort to raise money for AIDS Project Los Angeles called "Concrete Hero — Ultimate Urban Obstacle Challenge." In their own words, here are the personal reasons some are joining in.

BY Advocate.com Editors

July 12 2012 5:05 PM ET

Blanca Mora-Nunez, 41, of Monterey Park, is a stay-at-home mom, full-time runner and fitness advocate:

“During my junior years, I worked as a field nurse program at General Hospital in Los Angeles and was assigned to work with people living with HIV and AIDS. At the time, many of us were misinformed and terrified that we would get AIDS from basic exposure to those already infected. I have horrible regrets from that time – when even trained medical staff didn’t properly care for those who were HIV-positive. I took a few days to research the facts and came back to see him without unnecessary ‘protective gear’ and wanted to motivate and nurture him, but he had passed. I was devastated.

"Concrete Hero is my chance to give back to people who represent that one person that I could not help. I will be given the opportunity to race for him and give him the proper thank you for educating a young girl who came with no real information on how to serve people with this disease and to educate others, especially the young people.”