UCSF Rallies Teams in Final Days Before AIDS Walk
Members of the UCSF AIDS Walk Team gather for a photo before taking a walk in Golden Gate Park last year.
The UCSF AIDS Walk Steering Committee is looking for more members of the UCSF community to join the ranks at AIDS Walk San Francisco, which on Sunday, July 17, marks 25 years of UCSF's participation in raising funds for programs and services in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Support AIDS Walk San Francisco
UCSF has historically been a significant player in AIDS Walk San Francisco, finishing among the top 10 fundraising "gold teams" along with other large employers, like Gap Inc. Last year, UCSF finished in fifth place overall raising more than $45,000. The top four fundraising teams in 2010 were Gap Inc., Levi Strauss & Co., Chevron Corporation and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.
This year, the steering committee set a goal of raising $50,000 and is working this final week to register walkers online and to generate more donations. So far, the collective UCSF team has raised nearly $30,000. Those who can't take a leisurely trek through the park can still give donations by sponsoring a walker online through mid-August.
UCSF's strong presence in the event shows its commitment to public service and honors the many lives lost to the disease, which was first reported 30 years ago. Proceeds raised go toward treatment and research conducted by 360: Positive Care Center at UCSF, the UCSF AIDS Health Project, UCSF Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, the Women's HIV Program at UCSF and other programs as determined by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.
Building Community
Those who donate at least $25 in AIDS Walk San Francisco, can get an official 2011 UCSF AIDS Walk T-shirt.
The annual event also helps the University – the second largest employer in San Francisco outside the City and County – build community among faculty, staff, students and trainees who can gather with their friends and family for an important cause. Event highlights include:
- Food and Entertainment: AIDS Walk San Francisco, which begins and ends in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, features live entertainment, free food and beverages for those who are part of the UCSF contingent. Those who sign up on one of the UCSF teams will enjoy a free breakfast catered by Peasant Pies as well as lunch with a choice of several sandwiches by Palio Panteca.
- Souvenir T-shirt: All those who contribute at least $25 can get a 30 years of AIDS "The March Continues" T-shirt designed exclusively by UCSF's Tony Taliaferro.
- Prizes Galore: Those who raise or donate money will also be eligible to win raffle prizes that include gift certificates to Macys and Sports Basement and two passes each to Great America, Century Theatres and Gilroy Gardens. The top individual fundraisers will get these prizes in this order: f$300 gift certificate to Macy's (first place); two tickets to Disneyland (second place); four tickets to Great America (third place); $100 gift certificate to Macys (fourth place) and $100 worth of gift cards to Costco and EOS Restaurant (fifth place.
- Photo Opportunity: The entire UCSF team is invited to gather for a photo opportunity at 10:05 a.m. The photo will be featured in a follow-up story on the UCSF website.
- Discounted Parking: All those participating in AIDS Walk San Francisco can park at the UCSF garage on Irving Street for the special event rate of $7 per day. Just be ready to show an AIDS Walk T-shirt or paperwork.
Photo by Susan Merrell