BAKERSFIELD, Calif KBAK/KBFX -- Bakersfield AIDS Project is back at it again on the campus at CSUB for their annual Aids 3 mile walk to honor and remember those who were lost to the AIDS but to continue to raise awareness.

"We honor the people like my brother and those that are represented here on the table behind me, and we remember their names, and we also walk along with others who are currently living with the virus," said Bakersfield AIDS Project's Audry Chavez.

For the several dozen that attended the 5th Annual Aids Walk, several attendees know of or has personally been affected by the disease. Audrey Chavez lost her brother Ricky, 32 years ago, and quickly began to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS.

"When he passed away on December 7, there was a huge void in our world, a huge void in our family, in our community, and we felt that it was important to dispel that stigma, to dispel the myths, and to bring that face," said Chavez. "To show people that having HIV isn't the entirety of an individual, but it is important to remember and to never be ashamed of the fact that that AIDS affects everyone."

Phillip Castro is the Vice President of the Bakersfield Aids Project and has been an advocate for HIV and AIDS for over 14 years. He was motivated by the loss of his two uncles to the disease and the lack of open discussion about it within his family.

"My family was impacted in early 2000s and in the 90s," said Castro. "I wish that our family could have seen the support and the destigmatization in our community, and just to see that there's other people in the community that are going through what we're also going through, and just having a sense of community."

200 lanterns were placed along the 3 mile walk throughout CSUB's campus. Audrey's brother Ricky was a student there. Staff say the AIDS Project stands as a pillar within the community.

"It shows solidarity. It shows that we're never going to forget our loved ones," said CSUB Ethnic Studies Lecturer, D. Soliz (He/Him). "These are people that are pillars of our community, whether there are siblings our loved ones, our friends. We just never want to let their memory fade, and so by hosting this walk, and by having their names out here. It's our way to honor them, honor their families and honor their contribution."

For each mile of the AIDS Walk, had it's own significance. Chavez said that the walkers would loop the campus three times. The first mile was to honor those who have passed away. The second mile is to represent and stand by the people who are currently living with AIDS. and then the third mile is for prevention and education.

Both Castro and Chavez emphasize the need for community solidarity to combat stigma and to honor those who have passed.

"32 years ago, my brother passed away and took his last breath at our home," said Chavez. "Since that time, we felt that it was important to be visually there in the community, to provide support, to advocate, to remember that there are others out there, just like Ricky, who we love, and we miss dearly."

"It's very important to bring awareness and keep their memories alive, so that whenever we talk and speak of the names of the people that we have lost, we're able to speak about their experience and what they went through, and show our community that HIV is very real in our community and our community, no matter who you are, AIDS affects anyone," said Castro. "It's important to tell all stories, so that way people can find somebody to relate to and know that, I could be at risk one day."

If you'd like to learn more about the Bakersfield Aids Project and their mission, visit their information website here or at helpstopthevirus.com