AIDS Walk Portland isn't until Sunday, September 22, 2013, but at Cascade AIDS Project (CAP) we're busy getting ready to make it the most successful AIDS Walk yet. Our goal is to draw more than 10,000 people and raise more than $550,000 to help us achieve our goal of preventing HIV infections, supporting and empowering people affected and infected by HIV/AIDS, and eliminating HIV/AIDS-related stigma.
Toward that end, we're planning prizes for teams and individual fundraisers, lining up speakers and entertainment for the day of the walk, and settling details for the VIP breakfast at Departure Lounge atop the Nines Hotel for those who raise $1,000 or more.
Last year, thanks to everyone's support, CAP provided HIV/AIDS education and prevention services to nearly 15,000 people and coordinated wrap-around support services for 1,680 people affected and infected with HIV/AIDS in the five-county Portland metropolitan area.
It's not too soon to start putting together your AIDS Walk team! The AIDS Walk Portland website is up and running. We look forward to seeing you there!
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AIDS Walk Portland is set for Sunday, September 22, 2013. Does that sound far away? Not to us! At Cascade AIDS Project, we've already starting lining up the pieces to make this AIDS Walk the most fun, most effective ever.
You can look forward to some of the same elements that made last year's AIDS Walk so successful: an interactive website; tips and emails to strengthen your AIDS Walk team; games to inspire fundraising; a VIP breakfast at Departure lounge atop the Nines Hotel for higher fundraisers; and more.
Plus, a number of community-minded businesses and organizations have already stepped forward to support AIDS Walk, including the Oregon Health & Sciences University and--for the first year--Chevron.
We're moving ahead with planning AIDS Walk. How about you? Have you thought about your team yet?
Thank you so much for your support, and we'll be reporting back before long with more details about next fall's AIDS Walk Portland.
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We are excited to announce a new record in funds raised by the 26th annual AIDS Walk Portland. More than $525,000 was raised--$75,000 more than CAP’s stated goal! CAP will use these funds to support activities like HIV testing, community education and services for families and children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. More than 10,000 walkers joined in the fight against HIV/AIDS during this year’s walk.
“CAP’s Board of Directors couldn’t be more excited about the outcome of this year’s walk,” said Jackie Yerby, Board Chair. “ Beyond breaking the half-million mark for the first time ever, AIDS Walk Portland also drew a record number of elected officials participating in the event. Congresswoman Susanne Bonamici addressed a crowd of VIP walkers and sponsors during an exclusive breakfast at Departure atop The Nines Hotel. Governor John Kitzhaber addressed the crowd of over 10,000 walkers from the main stage in Pioneer Courthouse Square. His comments tied together the important work of health reform in Oregon with the goal of ending the HIV epidemic. He also recognized the vaccine research being conducted at Oregon Health and Sciences University.
Mayor Sam Adams closed the comments by elected officials with praise for the leadership of Michael Kaplan and the Board at CAP. Other elected officials present on stage to show support included: Multnomah County Chair Jeff Cogen; State Senators Ginny Burdick and Jackie Dingfelder; State Representatives Alissa Keny-Guyer and Mary Nolan; Portland City Commissioners Nick Fish and Amanda Fritz; and Multnomah County Commissioners Judy Shiprack, Loretta Smith & Diane McKeel.
More than 7,000 people are living with HIV in Oregon, 20% of whom don't know they are HIV positive. AIDS Walk Portland raises essential funds to support those living with the virus and those at risk of infection. Knowing your status and having access to healthcare are the two most important factors related to one’s sexual health, next to practicing safe sex.
