MONTREAL - In his short life, Ron Farha sold an impressive amount of lingerie. And after his death, he has been getting a lot of Montrealers to buy new shoes.
Farha, who headed a successful undergarment company, launched the annual Ca marche AIDS fundraising march before he died in 1993.
It has since led countless Montrealers to raise money by walking for the cause.
The 20th annual Ca marche trek takes off from Emilie Gamelin Square at Ste. Catherine and St. Hubert Sunday morning at 9 a.m. and will add to the $8.7 million it has already raised for HIV/AIDS, much-needed cash distributed to 76 organizations across the province. (Those wishing to help raise funds can register at camarche.ca).
Farha took over his father's business at the tender age of 23 and turned Linda Lingerie into a $20 million-a-year business with 150 employees, before suddenly being stricken with the illness.
Before he died at age 36 in July 1993, Farha launched himself into his foundation, giving countless hours of sweat and toil, all in the aim of helping victims of HIV/AIDS.
Although he is long gone, Farha is still remembered fondly for his efforts.
"The spirit of Ron, as a person living with HIV who had an ambitious idea and did whatever it took in order to make that idea come true, lives on here at ACCM and in other AIDS organizations," said Mark Hapanowicz Executive Director AIDS Community Care of Montreal.
Another admirer notes that it’s important to keep the spirit of Farha’s cause alive each year.
"One of my hopes for this year and the years to come is that people in the community will come out and walk with us," said AACM Board President Michael Foster.
