One of the highlights of the annual San Francisco Giants baseball game to raise funds for AIDS programs and services is getting a mass of humanity together on the field to create a giant AIDS ribbon before game time.
It takes hundreds of volunteers to make this display possible, says Kristen Bergeron of the UCSF Development Office. “We hope to have many UCSF representatives on the field!”

UCSF faculty, staff, family and friends are invited to join the effort for this year’s “Until There's A Cure Day” slated for Sunday, Aug. 31 at 3Com Park. UCSF's AIDS Program at SFGH has been selected by the Giants as the sole beneficiary of this event.

"Not only are you part of a very moving ceremony, but you get to stand in the same field where Willie Mays played! It's an awesome experience,” says Deb Gumbley of the AIDS Program, who has participated in the ribbon-making ritual for the past 3 years.

Volunteers will receive specific instructions at the ballpark, but in summary those who want to form the “human ribbon” will be asked to:

• Meet at the Ballpark's F Plaza promptly at 9 a.m. on Aug. 31

• rehearse the ribbon formation with hundreds of other volunteers from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m.

• enjoy a break, then return to line up for the ribbon display at noon. The volunteer assignment will be completed by 1:30 p.m.

Recommended attire is a red shirt, red cap and blue jeans. Volunteers arriving by car will need to pay $6 for parking; and those who wish to see the game must purchase a ticket. It is not required that volunteers stay for the game, but as encouragement please remember that $1 from each ticket sold will go to the AIDS Program at SFGH.

To sign-up as a ribbon volunteer, email your name and phone number to: Kristen Bergeron of the development office at: kbergeron@dismail.ucsf.edu by Monday, Aug. 25. If you have questions, please call Kristen at 476-3322.

1st appeared 8/13/97