AIDS Fund Kicks Off Awareness Efforts In Preparation For AIDS Walk Philly & AIDS Run Philly 5K

On Thursday, September 15 at 11 a.m., AIDS Fund Philadelphia kicks off awareness efforts in preparation for their October 16 AIDS Walk Philly & AIDS Run Philly 5K with an event at the corner of 18th and Walnut Streets, at the entrance to Rittenhouse Square.

Robb Reichard, Executive Director of the AIDS Fund, and Ronda Goldfein, Executive Director of the AIDS Law Project, will share stories about members of our community affected by AIDS. "1981-Until It's Over..." AIDS Timeline, a large text and photographic timeline of 30 years of HIV/AIDS history, brings stark visuals and awareness to Rittenhouse Square. Reichard will also discuss new funding model for AIDS Fund.
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For 30 years, AIDS Walk Philly has raised funds for HIV/AIDS service organizations in the Greater Philadelphia Region, and on Sunday, October 16, 2016, the 30th Annual AIDS Walk Philly & AIDS Run Philly continues the fight. One in four new HIV infections is among youth ages 13-24. Of those new infections, almost 60 percent do not know they have the virus.

"Inspired by the United Nations' aspiration of getting to zero, AIDS Fund is striving to reach zero new infections, zero stigma, and zero deaths in all the work they do. Philadelphians can make a difference in the fight against HIV and AIDS by participating in AIDS Walk Philly, which will bring together nearly 10,000 people to raise public awareness and funds for those living with HIV/AIDS in our community," say organizers.

The 30th Annual AIDS Walk Philly is sponsored by Merck, Medi-Dose�/EPS�, ViiV, Cedar Woods Care Management, Blessings4Ever Home Care Agency, Wells Fargo, Frito-Lay, PGN, and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation.
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To emphasize the long history of HIV/AIDS, AIDS Fund has created a large photographic and text timeline of over 30 years of the epidemic. The "1981-Until It's Over..." AIDS Timeline will be on display at the kick-off event.

AIDS Fund produces a variety of fundraising and awareness programs throughout the year, including AIDS Walk Philly, AIDS Run Philly, GayBINGO, Black-Tie GayBINGO, and Workplace Giving Campaigns.�AIDS Fund provides emergency financial assistance to people living with HIV disease and organizations providing HIV services in the Greater Philadelphia region, while providing education and increasing public awareness of HIV/AIDS issues.

AIDS Fund is also the Philadelphia affiliate of The Names Project, curating panels of The AIDS Memorial Quilt for a local audience.�The 30th Annual AIDS Walk/Run Philly will take place on Sunday, October 16.�

For information, call 215-731-9255 or visit www.aidsfundphilly.org or www.aidswalkphilly.org