AIDS Walk & Run San Diego Goes Social

AIDS Walk & Run San Diego takes social networking to a whole new level and unites families, friends, couples, colleagues, and teammates with a common goal in the fight against HIV/AIDS. In a day and age when some may attribute 5K with the number of friends they have in web-based social networks, approximately 8,000 people are set to gather in Balboa Park on the morning of Sunday, September 25 for the 22nd annual 5K walk.

Although everyone walks for different reasons-30 years after the discovery of what's come to be known as HIV/AIDS-the urgency for community members to participate is just as strong now as when AIDS Walk San Diego first began. Not only does the battle to combat the fear, prejudice, and complacency surrounding the disease rage on, the call to increase awareness about the ongoing HIV/AIDS epidemic and the need to raise vital funds for the agencies and programs that serve thousands of San Diegans living with HIV, is louder than ever. In the era of social media, organizers are reaching out across the various networking platforms to get the word out and get people involved.

"This time of year has a sad synchronicity," Delores Jacobs, CEO of the San Diego LGBT Community Center recently posted on Facebook. "The HIV/AIDS Planning Council meets to try to establish a budget in case there are even more cuts next year, there are more people living with HIV/AIDS, and fewer and fewer federal resources to keep pace with the continuing epidemic,"she said, explaining the importance of the upcom- ing event. "AIDS Walk San Diego does its best to try to ensure some local funding for all those San Diegans living with HIV/AIDS,"Jacobs said.

Facebook, is not the only such social media tool organizers are utilizing for the 5k walk however.

Well-known in the local community and widely popular on Facebook, San Diego's very own Kurt Cunningham appears in one of several You-Tube videos, that have recently popped up to encourage community involvement and tell personal stories about the San Diego tradition.

"AIDSWalk San Diego has been around for as long as I've been in San Diego," Cunningham explains in his clip. The former AIDSWalk San Diego staff member said, for him it's always been a way to honor friends. "Before we were walking around with a T-shirt with their face on it, or a sign with their name, but now we honor them by raising money."He echoes Jacobs point that many services state and nationwide have lost funding and rely on AIDS Walk. "I hope that everyone will come out for AIDS Walk San Diego. Please join a team or walk as an individual-just please come be a part of AIDS WalkSanDiego," Cunningham pleads.

Again this year, participation through team efforts is strongly encouraged. "Whether you already have an AIDS Walk & Run San Diego team up and running, or you have been thinking about forming an AIDS Walk & Run team, consider attending one of the Team Leader Workshops and get psyched about the upcoming 5K AIDS Walk and 10K AIDS Run," said Ian Johnson, the AIDS Walk teams coordinator.

Being part of a team is not only a great morale builder, but it also gives a team's company, school or organization excellent exposure. It's a time for fellowship outside the work or school environment, and it's a great reason for family, friends, and co- workers to get together, according to Johnson, who encourages anyone interested to AIDS Walk & Run San Diego to take the next step to learn more about the exciting way teams help to make the event such a success.

"AIDS Walk & Run San Diego Team Leader Workshops are a great way to meet and mingle with fellow Team Leaders, learn about online fundraising and group recruitment and share your success stories with your fellow team leaders," explained Johnson, who also appears in a YouTube clip promoting the walk.

However, becoming a walker to raise funds, or donating isn't the only way to get involved in the fight, a key component not to be looked over, according to Casey Fields, AIDSWalk & Run San Diego volunteer coordinator. "AIDS Walk couldn't happen without our dedicated, talented and enthusiastic volunteers," Fields said. "More than 800 volunteers help make the success of AIDS Walk possible, and we are incredibly grateful for their time and service."

The dedicated crew not only helps to make things run smoothly the day of the event, but they are involved well in advance. Already the AIDS Walk Street Team has hit the streets distributing promotional posters. Additionally, there are opportunities to get involved and raise money while having fun during the Wild Wednesdays phone banks, taking place each week leading up to the big day.

With such a variety of opportunities to get involved and raise funds, AIDS Walk & Run San Diego organizers drive home the point that there's no reason anyone should not be able to participate. They ask anyone with a Facebook page to promote AIDS Walk by "liking" the AIDS Walk & Run San Diego at facebook.com/aidswalksd.