More than 145,000 of our fellow Floridians are living with HIV/AIDS. The number seems high, but they are correct. Even after thirty years in existence, HIV/AIDS is still attacking our community and the crisis is far from over. Our friends need our help.
Walk On
This year Florida AIDS Walk will end with a music festival on the beach
More than 145,000 of our fellow Floridians are living with HIV/AIDS. The number seems high, but they are correct. Even after thirty years in existence, HIV/AIDS is still attacking our community and the crisis is far from over. Our friends need our help.
Through Florida AIDS Walk, which takes place Sunday, May 20, we can generate financial support through pledges and donations to provide the care and services that they so desperately need. The money raised stays right here in Florida, and does cool things like buy mobile HIV testing vans, fund free HIV testing, create HIV awareness and prevention education programs, and provide free or low-cost medical care for HIV positive people in need!
Unlike Florida AIDS Walks of the past, Florida AIDS Walk 2012 is a 5 (not 10) kilometer walk that will start and end at the beach! This shorter distance will be a relief to those who thought the Walk was too long. What’s more, because Walkers love a good time, a food and music festival will take place on the beach after the Walk! A whole new event is in store for us: an event that is entertaining and fun enough to be worthy of Florida AIDS Walk walkers!
Music festival performers include Ultra Nate´, CeCe Peniston, Joi Cardwell, Jason Walker and Tony Cruz. Radio personality Elvis Duran will be hosting the opening ceremony of the Walk.
“And we’re still trying to add more in the 11th hour,” said Florida AIDS Walk director Mark Martin.
This is Martin’s second year as event director, but his 7th year involved with the Walk. When he started last year, the ball was already rolling on the event, so he wasn’t able to make any changes. He had many ideas and they grew further as he spoke with members of the community.
“The most consistent feedback was that the walk was too long,” said Martin. “People also said that it felt anticlimactic afterwards.”
He thought that since Fort Lauderdale is a beach town, to have the event start and end on the beach. And to show Walkers how much they are appreciated, they will have this fun music and food festival.
Funds raised by Florida AIDS Walk will enable the expansion of free HIV testing and prevention education in Florida’s Broward and Miami Dade counties, and provide healthcare and support for HIV-positive individuals throughout the state. With your help, AHF Pharmacy, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Out of the Closet, and each of our 2011 Florida AIDS Walk Beneficiaries – to be announced soon – will be empowered to carry out this mission.
INFO:
Florida AIDS Walk & Music Festival
Sunday, May 20
9 a.m. Registration/Check-in
10:15 a.m. Opening Ceremony
11 a.m. Walk Begins
Noon- Post-Walk Celebration & Music Festival
FloridaAIDSWalk.org
