UCSF Fundraisers Contribute $56,000 to AIDS Walk San Francisco

460 UCSF walkers and volunteers raised more than $56,000.

By Sharon Brock

On Sunday, July 16, the 20th Annual AIDS Walk San Francisco was held at Golden Gate Park. The event drew more than 25,000 people to fight a disease that was first acknowledged 25 years ago and has killed more than 25 million people worldwide. This year, 977 teams raised a grand total of nearly $3.8 million. (See video) From the UCSF team, there were 460 walkers and volunteers, who raised more than $56,000. This year, UCSF had 140 more walkers than last year, and at least 12 "Star Walkers," who raised more than $1,000 each. The opening ceremonies included speeches from San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, San Francisco AIDS Foundation Executive Director Mark Cloutier, and AIDS Walk founder and producer Craig R. Miller. "By walking today, you are taking action to do what's right," said Miller, who has produced AIDS Walk San Francisco since its inception 20 years ago. "We must believe that we - ourselves - can be the end of AIDS." At 10:30 a.m., the walk officially began and UCSF participants - wearing the UCSF team T-shirt designed by Judith Liao in the Compass Care program of UCSF Children's Hospital - walked together across the starting line of the 6.2-mile loop. Along the route, walkers were entertained by Polynesian dancers, the Stanford University Marching Band and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a comedic activist group from the gay community. Walkers also took a few minutes to admire the AIDS quilt and write messages on the AIDS memorial wall. "On this memorial wall, people can write a message to honor those who have passed on from AIDS," said AIDS Walk volunteer Robert Robinson, who was handing out markers to walkers.

Star Walkers Sean Sotelo and Jack Webster collectively raised more than $7,300 this year.

After the walk, participants relaxed in Sharon Meadow, and enjoyed a free lunch and live music by Finding Mercury, Native Elements, and Brad Wolfe and the Moon. There was also a KidZone with free rides on the Golden Gate Park carousel. At the closing ceremony, volunteers onstage held up large numbers indicating the total amount raised in this year's event: $3,778,925. UCSF contributed more than $56,000 to this total, making UCSF one of the top 20 fundraising teams, or a "Gold Team," for the third year in a row. Although donations are being accepted until August 11, as of July 25, in online fundraising, UCSF is the fifth highest fundraiser among the 977 teams who participated. "I want to thank the UCSF community, which has been extremely generous," said Carol Fox, UCSF AIDS Walk coordinator. "We hope to reach or possibly exceed our goal of $65,000, so we encourage people to continue to donate online or send checks. You can still help your team win the AIDS Walk Trophy - the chancellor's bronze running shoe. And, Campus Life Services has donated a MacBook for the first-time walker who raises the most money."

To make a donation, go to http://www.aidswalk.net and specify which UCSF team you'd like to sponsor. Online donations are accepted until 5 p.m., August 11. * Friends and Family - 0089 * School of Dentistry - 0090 * School of Medicine - 0091 * School of Nursing - 0092 * School of Pharmacy - 0093 * Chancellor's Office / Finance and Administration - 0094 * UCSF Medical Center - 0095 * Executive Vice Chancellor - 0096 * University Advancement and Planning - 0097 * Positive Health Program - 0098 To send a check, write the UCSF team number on the check and make the check out to AIDS Walk San Francisco. Mail the check to be received by August 11 to: UCSF Public Affairs Attn: Carol Fox Box 0462 San Francisco, CA 94118 Or hand-deliver a check to the Public Affairs office at Laurel Heights, Suite 103. Write "AIDS Walk" on the outside of the envelope, and it will be forwarded confidentially to AIDS Walk San Francisco to be opened and processed.