(Chicago, IL) Registration is now open for the 32nd annual AIDS Run & Walk Chicago (ARWC) presented by AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) on Saturday, September 30 at Soldier Field. "Show up, Show Out" is this year's theme to encourage the Chicagoland community to show up and show out in their most authentic self to mobilize for equity and justice for individuals who are living with or vulnerable to HIV/AIDS in Illinois
Funds raised through AIDS Run & Walk Chicago benefit AIDS Foundation Chicago and 30 community organizations (listed below) who provide essential programs and services for those living with or vulnerable to HIV/AIDS or other chronic illnesses and actively working towards Getting to Zero, a state-wide initiative to end the HIV epidemic in Illinois by 2030.
"AFC works every day to create justice and change for communities in Chicagoland," said Madeline Miley, AFC's Director of Special Events and Initiatives. "We call on Chicago to show up and show out for this year's event and bee loud and proud in their support of the collaborative efforts to get to zero by 2030 and push for legislation that uplifts our communities and creates more equitable opportunities for leaders on the frontlines."
AFC reinforces its commitment through the CommunityDirect program. 30 community-based organizations will receive up to 92% of the funds raised through ARWC as unrestricted funding. To-date, AFC has returned more than $300,000 to communities through the CommunityDirect program.
2023 CommunityDirect Recipients (so far):
Agape Mission
Ascension Health Housing and Health Alliance
CALOR
CCHIP
Center on Halsted
Chicago Dancers United
Chicago House & Social Service Agency
Erie Family Health Centers
Howard Brown Health Center
Legal Council for Health Justice
Lurie Children's SID
Michael Reese Care Program
Mother & Child Alliance
NEFUSE
Public Health Institute of Metro Chicago
Season of Concern
Sinai Health System
Transforming Re-Entry Services (Men and Women in Prison Ministries
University of Chicago/Chicago Center for HIV Elimination
WE Organization
Westside Pastors' Coalition for AIDS
Since its inception, more than 24,500 participants have converged to get moving against HIV/AIDS, raising $6 million to battle the HIV epidemic. 2023 event sponsors include AbbVie, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Discover Financial Services, Fresenius Kabi, Gilead, Illinois Tool Works (ITW), Kraft-Heinz, Lime, McDonald's, U.S. Cellular, ViiV and Wendy's.
There are a variety of ways interested participants can register for this year's event: including:
In-person at Soldier Field
The traditional 5K, 10K and 5K Walk and Roll with festivities including resource booths, entertainment, free McDonald's breakfast and the return of the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile.
"At Your Own Pace, At Your Own Place"
Participants can choose to start and complete their race at a location other than Soldier Field using RunGo — a virtual smartphone app
"Stay-at-Home Supporter"
Participants can register for free and fundraise (min. of $50 required) from afar for the cause.
About AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC)
For more than 36 years, AFC has led the fight to create health equity and justice for people living with and disproportionately impacted by HIV and AIDS. AFC brings together service providers and funders to develop systems that meet the needs of those living with HIV/AIDS and to maximize the use of scarce resources. AFC is committed to working with policymakers and service providers to increase funding for prevention services and programs that work.
AFC mobilizes communities to create equity and justice for people living with and vulnerable to HIV or chronic conditions. AFC aspires to create a world in which people living with HIV or chronic conditions will thrive, and there will be no new HIV cases. More at: www.aidschicago.org/ .
