Bay Area Reporter - June 28, 2007
Raymond J. Aguilera

There is still time for participants to sign up. AIDS Walk volunteers will be on hand the day of the event to register last-minute participants, and pre-registration is available on the AIDS Walk Web site at http://www.aidswalk.net.

In 2006, the walk raised $4.2 million, and at press time, all indications point to an increased total this year. According to Buffy Martin Tarbox, media relations coordinator for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, more than 25,000 walkers have already registered for the event.

"This year, we are expecting to raise even more money than last, which is fantastic news," said Tarbox.

AIDS Walk San Francisco is the largest AIDS walk event in California, raising funds for beneficiaries in all nine Bay Area counties. The event was started in 1987, only a year after scientists first isolated and named the virus that causes AIDS.

In that first year, 6,000 people walked in the inaugural event, raising more than $667,000 to benefit eight local AIDS organizations. Two decades later, the 2007 AIDS walk will feature more than four times that number of walkers as well as thousands of volunteers to make the event happen.

"The walkers and volunteers are the backbone of this organization," according to Tarbox.

The event gets under way at 9 a.m. with walk-up registration. Unlike other events, such as the foundation's LifeCycle bike ride, the AIDS Walk requires no minimum fundraising to participate. A group warm-up starts at 9:30, followed by the opening ceremony at 9:45. The walk itself starts at 10:30. Participants are encouraged to take public transit to Sharon Meadow, and to enter the park from Haight Street or Stanyan Street. Secure bike parking will be available.

The 10k (6.2 mile) course winds its way through the Golden Gate Park, with several rest stops along the way to refuel with snacks and beverages. The walk takes two to three hours to complete.

After the event, walkers and volunteers will be entertained by a free concert at 12:30 in Sharon Meadow. The concert will feature music by The Del Mars and Finding Mercury. The day's fundraising total will also be announced. Bank of the West is sponsoring a KidZone, featuring a bounce house, face painting, and free carousel rides for the little ones.

This year, the Brown & Toland Medical Group, Stop AIDS Project, and the UCSF AIDS Health Project are collaborating to offer free, confidential HIV testing on-site. Results will be available in 20 minutes. HIV and AIDS information will be available, as well as appointments to get tested at a later date.

The 2007 AIDS Walk is being produced by Craig Miller and MZA Events. This year's production fee paid to MZA Events is $170,000, the same as last year.

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