Washington Blade - October 4, 2002
Rhonda Smith

Whitman-Walker, the D.C. area's largest private AIDS service provider holds the annual fund-raiser, set for this weekend.

"It's important in so many ways for this walk to be successful, not only based on the financial expectations we have for our budget but really as a picture of hope that we're turning the corner on fund-raising for AIDS in Washington," said Michael Cover, spokesperson for Whitman-Walker. "We've had a pretty brutal year with the tragically disappointing AIDS Ride, recovering from the economic downturn and the aftereffects of Sept. 11."

Whitman-Walker's income from the city's annual AIDS Ride in June dropped from about $1.6 million in 2001 to just $250,000 this year. The decrease followed news coverage of the downward spiral of Pallotta TeamWorks, a California-based for-profit company that produced the local rides for the past seven years.

Whitman-Walker and Food & Friends, another D.C. area AIDS service organization, have since severed their ties to Pallotta, whose officials suspended operations in August after clients nationwide complained in part that Pallotta events returned too little to designated beneficiaries.

Many area residents still believe that Dan Pallota and his company are affiliated with the AIDS Walk, though Whitman-Walker produces it, Cover said.

"We've had to say the AIDS Walk has always been locally produced," he said. "One hundred percent of the walk's net proceeds go to Whitman-Walker Clinic's HIV/AIDS service programs."

Whitman-Walker's minimum fund-raising target for AIDS Walk Washington 2002 is $840,000 or the clinic's HIV/AIDS programs and services could be reduced, officials said. Event overhead hit $540,000 to produce this yearÆs event. If both targets are met, the Clinic will receive 35 cents of every dollar raised, a percentage that is below the 50 to 65 percent that watchdog groups say that fund-raisers should yield.

"I cannot express how important the funds raised by the AIDS Walk are to the clinic," said Cornelius Baker, executive director of Whitman-Walker.

"A number of factors, including an uncertain economy and last year's terrorist attacks have affected local charitable giving.

"Over the last 12 months, the clinic has had to cut approximately $3 million from a budget that was already strained," he said. "We are at a point where we just cannot cut anymore without looking at programs and personnel."

Declining participation, return

The net proceeds from the AIDS Walk have been steadily declining since 1997, when the event raised $2.6 million and Whitman-Walker officials spent $895,031 to cover production expenses. This left $1.7 million, or 65 percent of funds raised, in net proceeds for HIV/AIDS services.

Net proceeds from Whitman-Walker's 1998 AIDS Walk amounted to $1.6 million, which represented 74 percent of the total amount raised. In 1999, net proceeds totaled $755,896, which was 49 percent of the total donated for the event. In 2000, the Clinic netted $123,990, which was 14 percent of the total funds raised. Last year, net proceeds of the AIDS Walk were only $3,800 out of $485,000 raised, meaning less than 1 cent of every dollar raised actually went to the agency.

Proceeds from the 2001 event were so low because this was the first event held on the national Mall after Sept. 11, Cover said. At the time, Whitman-Walker officials said the need for the walk was too great to cancel or postpone the event.

Over those same years, 1997 to 2001, AIDS Walk organizers have succeeded in lowering the expenses associated with the event, from a peak of $895,000 in 1997, to a low of $481,200 for last year's walk.

In addition to decreases in the amount and percentage of money raised during recent AIDS Walk events, the number of registered participants has been declining in recent years.

In 1999, about 30,000 registered walkers participated, officials said. In 2000, only 5,000 registered walkers took part in the walk, and the figure fell to 3,500 participants last year.

"Our current registrations for the walk stand at 2,750," Cover said on Wednesday, Oct. 1. "That is not entirely unusual since most people have historically registered and brought their money in on the day of the walk."

In addition to same-day registration, walkers can register from noon to 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4, and from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at the U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Ave. Registrants should use the 14th Street entrance. The late registration fee is $20.

Participants meet at Freedom Plaza and travel along the National Mall before returning to the Plaza. Pennsylvania Avenue, between 13th and 14th streets, NW, will be closed.

In addition to the pre-walk rally, Whitman-Walker officials scheduled a post-walk award ceremony and pledge party. Sheila Williams and Darryl Tracey Jones, recipients of the 2002 Courage Award, will be recognized for their courage and leadership in their personal struggles against HIV/AIDS.

FOR MORE INFO

AIDS Walk Washington - Saturday, Oct. 5

Registration: 7:30 a.m. - Pre-Walk Rally: 8:30 a.m. - Walk: 9:30 a.m.

Freedom Plaza: 14th Street at Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Whitman-Walker Clinic

P.O. Box 73768 - Washington, DC 20077-3768

202-332-9255 - www.aidswalkwashington.org

While participation and interest in Whitman-Walker's annual AIDS Walk appears to be waning, the need to raise money and awareness about HIV/AIDS remains strong, officials said. It is estimated that one in every 20 adults in the District of Columbia is infected with HIV, they said.

"We are especially troubled by the high rate of new HIV infections among gay and bisexual men, African Americans and Latinos, who continue to face the brunt of this disease far out of proportion to their numbers," Baker said.

The largest increase in AIDS cases is taking place among people of color, women, intravenous drug users and through heterosexual sexual contact. New AIDS cases among women are occurring at 10 times the national average, Whitman-Walker officials said.

"Combine all of these challenges with unstable charitable giving and the uncertainties of the economy, and one realizes how vital the funds raised by the AIDS Walk will be to Whitman-Walker Clinic," Baker said.

Rhonda Smith can be reached at rsmith@washblade.com.

021004
WB021001

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2002. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2002. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .