Aunt Rita’s Foundation raises and distributes money to Central Arizona agencies with programs to prevent HIV/AIDS or assist those living with the disease.
Now in its third year, last year’s Walk raised $380,000, which was distributed evenly among benefiting agencies, more than doubling the dollars generated in 2008 when the Walk returned to the Valley after a five-year absence.
New this year is a 5K run, which begins at 9 a.m. immediately preceding the Walk. The run will be timed with medals awarded to the top three men and top three women finishers in six age categories.
Walkers and runners can register at www.aidswalkphoenix.org. Registration fee for walkers is $25 with resources in place to help participants raise additional fund through pledges. Early registration fee for runners is $30. Children 12 and under walk for free.
AIDS Walk Phoenix also offers Paws for the Cause, sponsored by Petco, Tailwinds Pet Resort, VetCare Internal Medicine Specialists and Desert Fire Resort, for walkers who want to bring their good-natured, sociable dogs along. A portion of the proceeds will benefit to a new program, Leash on Life, which will help establish services for the companion animals of people living with HIV in the Phoenix metropolitan area.
The $10-per-dog Paws For the Cause registration fee includes a commemorative bandana and a bag of dog treats. Registration for adults is $25. Children 12 and under are free. All dogs must be registered to accompany their registered owner on the walk.
Teams and volunteers also are being sought. Registration can be completed on the website.
Benefiting agencies are: 1 in 10 Youth Services, Agape Network, The Bill Holt Clinic at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Chicanos Por La Causa, Compassion in Action, Concilio Latino de Salud, Ebony House, Heal International, HIV/AIDS Law Project, HIV Care Directions, Joshua Tree Feeding Program, Inc., McDowell Healthcare Center, Native Health, The Phoenix Shanti Group, Project Hard Hat, Southwest Behavioral Health Services, Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS, Terros and UCAN, Inc.
Walgreens is the Title Sponsor for the 2010 AIDS Walk Phoenix & 5K Run. Additional support is provided by: Presenting Sponsors - Cox, Rainbows Festival and Sonora Quest Laboratories; Diamond Sponsor – PMT Ambulance; Platinum Sponsors – City of Phoenix, Wells Fargo, After Hours Creative and Southwest Airlines; Gold Sponsors – The Apothecary Shops, The Kur Carr Group, Insight Management, Torres Marques Communications, Stratus Events, United Parking Systems, Phoenix Pride, Sway Events, Open Spark Technology Marketing; Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox and One Community; Silver Sponsors – Melrose Pharmacy, Hensley, Charles Schwab, Wet Dog Promotions and Off Chute Too; Bronze Sponsors – Peace Wellness Center, First Family Medical Group, Camelback Mountain Medical Associates, Spectrum Medical Group, Pueblo Family Physicians, Equality Arizona, The Springs Foursquare Church, Arizona CityFest, Foursquare Chaplains, Cultural Sponge, Cynsational Images, Piscean Design, Local First Arizona and Curbside Recycling; Paws for the Cause Sponsors – PetCo, Tailwinds Pet Resort, VetCare Internal Medicine Specialists and Desert Fire Resort; Media Sponsors – Echo Magazine, ‘N Touch News, Ion Arizona, COMPETE Magazine, Pride Guide Arizona, Desert Knight News, qTalk, Clear Channel Phoenix, KISS FM, The BEAT 92.7, MEGA 104.3, MOViN 97.5, Phoenix New Times, The State Press, Sweat Magazine, Arizona Informant, Univision 33, La Voz / TV y Mas, Latino Vibe 93.1, KVUN1190 AM and Conexiones.
For more information about AIDS Walk Phoenix & 5K Run, please visit www.aidswalkphoenix.org.
HIV BY THE NUMBERS
• Every 9 minutes someone tests positive in the United States
• 83%: percent of new HIV diagnoses among women from heterosexual contact
• 50%: one-half of all AIDS diagnoses in US are people 35-49
• 50%: half of all new U.S. HIV diagnoses are among African Americans.
• 29%: percent of new HIV diagnoses among people under 30 years of age
• 45 Years of Age: 2/3 of those who have died of AIDS never reached this age
• 50 Years of Age: more than 17% of new HIV diagnoses are among people 50 and over.
Aunt Rita’s Foundation is a community-driven charity whose singular focus is to raise money for, and distribute to, Central Arizona agencies with programs to prevent HIV/AIDS or assist those living with HIV/AIDS primarily through signature events that raise money and promote awareness of HIV/AIDS. Funds are distributed, equally to participating agencies.
