Under crisp and sunny blue skies on the morning of Sept. 26, approximately 2,000 participants gathered at Soldier Field for this year’s Resist, Restore and Renew-themed AIDS Foundation Chicago’s (AFC) AIDS Run and Walk.
During the event’s 25-year history, over 36,500 participants have helped raise more than $11 million to eradicate HIV. More than $300,000 has been raised as of this publication with fundraising taking place through Nov. 14. AFC’s goal is raise at least $500,000 this year.
The event website said the Resist, Restore and Renew message calls on everyone to “show strength in numbers, to defy the powerful interests that threaten our progress, to care for one another and sustain our activism and to pledge our continued support to our fight to end the HIV epidemic.”
AIDS Run and Walk has become the largest HIV gathering in the Midwest in terms of its participation numbers, funds raised, visibility and impact.
The over 25 CommunityDirect partners for this year’s event will receive 90% of the funds raised by their teams from this event while AFC will keep the remainder of those funds to continue their work.
WGN assignment reporter and 41 time Emmy Award winner Mike Lowe served as the event emcee. Lowe said the are currently over 20,000 Chicagoans living with HIV and more than 40,000 people total across the state of Illinois living with HIV. He stressed the importance of staying “activated, engaged and focused on this cause” of eradicating HIV.
Outgoing AFC President and CEO John Peller spoke about the many “loved ones and friends” who have been taken by the HIV epidemic. He said this event is a way to “honor them and continue the fight.” Peller asked for a moment of silence and singled out HIV and LGBTQ+ activist/advocate, Chicago House Ball community leader/mentor and House of Avante Garde founder Tommy Sampson aka Tommy Avante Garde whose memorial service took place at the same time.
Peller said, “It has been the honor and joy of my life to be a part of this work with all of you. I know if we keep showing up, and I will keep showing up, we will one day end the HIV epidemic. It is achievable. We have all the tools we need to do it. We need funding for services, healthcare access and equity and smart public health policy to get us there.” He added the event’s theme means “fighting back, pushing forward and doubling down on our commitment to the HIV moment.” Peller said this is especially true during these difficult times “when our movement and communities have been under attack.”
Additionally, Peller honored American film critic and former WGN reporter and host Dean Richards with two medals for his years of service. One of the medals had GOAT on the front and the other one had a message on the back, “To Dean Richards for 20+ years of service to AIDS Foundation Chicago.”
Richards spoke about his history with AFC over the decades and praised Peller for his accomplishments and character. He said this special recognition for doing the right and humanitarian thing felt funny for him. Richards also brought his red ribbon AIDS pin he wore when he first emceed this event.
City of Chicago LGBTQ+ Affairs Director Antonio King also remembered Sampson and read a portion of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s letter to AFC where he recognized their years of leadership.
U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (5th District) said the best way to fight back in these dark times are events like the AIDS Run and Walk, which he said are about taking care of and loving each other while also moving forward together.
“As this administration fights fairness, equality, justice, science and everything we care about we are going to be here long after this orange menace is gone,” said Quigley.
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (2nd District) spoke about Peller and AFC’s leadership regarding the Getting to Zero 2030 Illinois initiative and the work the organization does to help over 8,000 people living with HIV every year. Kelly also reminded everyone to “keep using your voices” to fight back and recognized the “unbreakable spirit of the LGBTQ+ community” everywhere on Earth.
AFC Policy and Advocacy Senior Director Timothy Jackson spoke about the “harmful executive orders” from the Trump administration over the past almost two years. He also called on people to sign up on their website to tell their story about living with HIV, Medicaid clients and those who are experiencing homelessness.
Two-time Jeff Award and one time each Time Out Award and Black Theatre Alliance Award winner Donica Lynn performed her soulful rendition of Stevie Wonder’s Higher Ground alongside keyboardist Jerald. Lynn added a stanza about the importance of this event to the song.
Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus showcased their interpretations of Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors and Seasons of Love from the musical RENT.”
An energetic Juwon Perry sang a rousing version of I Am What I Am from La Cage Aux Folles.
All three performances elicited cheers from the crowd.
The Walking Hour’s Pamiya Opoku and two Team to End AIDS members led the warm-up exercises ahead of the race.
Lowe, Peller, Quigley, Richards, House of Potato members and the Lakeside Pride Marching Band rallied the runners and walkers at the start line. Additionally, Peller, Quigley and Richards took turns blowing the horn to start each of the three races.
AFC Operations Senior Vice President Tom Menard and AFC Chief Programs Officer Simone Koehlinger led the 5K walk and roll participants, some of whom carried “Housing is Health Care” signs along the route.
Pride Action Tank Executive Director and AFC Special Projects and Innovation Policy and Advocacy Vice President Kim Hunt brought up the rear of the walker participants.
The event also featured sections of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt on display, DJ John Simmons spinning tunes, free flu and COVID vaccines courtesy of Aetna and Walgreens, Oscar Meyer Weinermobile representatives serving up smiles and encouragement, snacks and refreshments from MillerCoors Beer Garden and McDonald’s and a vendor village with dozens of community groups and other entities offering information and services.
House of Potato also closed out the event.
