Join thousands of supporters from the Chicagoland area as we pound the pavement to put an end to HIV/AIDS.  As the largest event in Chicago dedicated to HIV/AIDS awareness, people from all walks of life come together to help raise critical funds to support prevention, research, education, and advocacy related to HIV/AIDS.  Every step you take and every dollar you raise will help us get close to a day free of HIV/AIDS!

Did you know?

·        Every 9.5 minutes someone in the U.S. gets infected with HIV.

·        In 2006 there were 754 new diagnosed AIDS cases in Chicago, and 1,557 HIV cases. 

·        An estimated 4,883 young people received a diagnosis of HIV infection or AIDS, representing about 13% of the persons given a diagnosis during that year.

·        African Americans accounted for an estimated 46% of people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States in 2006, or approximately 510,100 individuals, including undiagnosed cases.

About AIDS Run & Walk Chicago

On June 6, 2009, the world will mark the 28th anniversary since the discovery of the virus that came to be known as AIDS. Even though medical advancements have changed AIDS from a death sentence to a chronic disease, we are still without a vaccine or a cure. In fact, the CDC projects that each year nearly 60,000 Americans become infected with HIV – disproportionately impacting young minority communities and young gay males. With this, the need for sound and effective HIV/AIDS prevention, service, and policy programs are more critical than ever before.

Since its establishment in 2001, AIDS Run and Walk Chicago has raised more than $2 million to fight HIV/AIDS. With your participation, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago can continue as a local and national leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS and support more than 150 Chicagoland HIV/AIDS service organizations whose work is so invaluable to this cause.

About the Beneficiaries

Founded in 1985 by community activists and physicians, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) is a local and national leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS. AFC collaborates with community organizations to develop and improve HIV/AIDS services; funds and coordinates prevention, care, and advocacy projects; and champions effective and compassionate HIV/AIDS policy.  Members of AFC’s Service Providers Council (SPC) of which Youth Choice is apart of, will receive funding from AIDS Run & Walk Chicago 2009 through the CommunityDirect Program.

GET INVOLVED

There are multiple ways to get involved with the AIDS Run/Walk.  We need support of all kinds to make a difference.  To get involved consider doing one of the following:

Join our team:

• STEP 1: Go to www.aidsrunwalk.org

• STEP 2: Click on Register Now!

• STEP 3: Complete the Participant Information Web Form

• STEP 4: Select Join an Existing Team

• STEP 5: Type your Team’s name in the search bar – Youth Choice

• STEP 6: Click on Join for your team and complete your registration!

• You will receive a confirmation email and you are ready to begin fundraising!

• Go to your online dashboard. The dashboard is a tool to manage your personal fundraising efforts, email your friends and family, etc.

• Remember! Online registration closes on Wednesday, September 30, at 12:00pm CST.

Event Details:
Our team will meet at 8:30 a.m. at The Banner School 9538 S. Harvard.  We will load on the school bus and drive to Grant Park as a team in time for the Run (start time 9:55 a.m.) and Walk (start time 10:00 a.m.).  We will return to the school at approximately 12:30 p.m.  Don't worry about snacks and water - Youth Choice has it covered.  For more information about the day of the event details, please feel free to call or email Youth Choice.

Volunteer:

Volunteers are the backbone of all successful Youth Choice events, and our participation at the AIDS Run/Walk is no exception.  Volunteers are needed to fill many of the necessary positions that help the walk function.  Whether it’s working at registration or organizing youth, there is a volunteer position for all skill and interest levels.  Contact Youth Choice at info@youthchoicechicago.org to learn more.

Make a donation:

Can’t make it to the walk? Your personal donation to a participating walker or to Youth Choice is an easy way to get involved.  Click on the secured donation PayPal link below.  Thank you in advance for your donation.

  For more information, please call Jennifer M. Blackman, Founder and Executive Director at (773)418-8074 or email her at jennifer@youthchoicechicago.org. 

Hope to see you there!