21st Annual Seattle AIDS Walk at Volunteer Park on Sept. 29

21st Annual Seattle AIDS Walk at Volunteer Park on Sept. 29

"[AIDS] is still a very...important issue that we are battling with in our own backyard," said Asia Rau, Lifelong's Director of Marketing and Events. by Robert Raketty - SGN Staff Writer AIDS is personal. For the 3,700 people who participated in last year's Seattle AIDS Walk and the 400 who volunteered, one thing was clear: people walk because of what HIV/AIDS has done, is doing or may do one day to them or their family and friends. In King County alone, 6,188 residents are living with HIV or AIDS and 370 new HIV infections are reported in King County each year. Lifelong AIDS Alliance, the Pacific Northwest's leading AIDS service provider, is at the forefront of the battle here locally. They provide support and advocacy for people with AIDS and seek to prevent new infections. "We're a lifeline. We're an advocate. We are all those things," said Asia Rau, Lifelong's Director of Marketing and Events. "But, we can't do it alone. We need your help to make it happen." Now, in its 21st year, the annual Seattle AIDS Walk helps the organization fill the gaps in their funding. Changes in Ryan White funding under the Bush Administration have resulted in a gradual decline in federal funds available to the organization. However, Asia noted that the event is also a way to remind the public of the importance of their cause. "I think it is a great tool to remind the public that this is an issue at large that may not be making headlines every day, but it is still a very, very important issue that we are battling with in our own backyard," she said. "Approximately, 10,000 people in King County alone [are infected]. So, it is a huge issue here and we need to make sure that people are still alerted." According to Asia, response to the 2007 Seattle AIDS Walk in Volunteer Park on Saturday, September 29, has been good, but more donations are needed if they are to meet their $800,000 goal. "We feel we have been doing very well in our fundraising," she said. "Currently, we are only 17 percent behind where we were last year at this point, 10 days out." Teams and individuals are welcome to participate by registering online at www.LifelongAidsAlliance.org or by calling 206-323-WALK. Incentive gifts and team photos will also be offered to those who participate. "Anyone can participate. This is probably one opportunity to be inclusive of the entire community," said Asia. "This is really the time where it doesn't matter who you are or where you're from, you can be a part of this Walk. It is for everybody to be a part of." The Seattle AIDS Walk will take place rain or shine. Non-registered walkers can sign-up and additional donations can be dropped off as early as 8 a.m. The AIDS Walk program beings an hour later, 9 a.m. KING 5 Television's evening anchor, Jean Enersen, will emcee. The AIDS Walk starts at 10:00 a.m. A post-walk concert featuring LeRoy Bell & His Only Friends, who have toured with music legends such as B.B. King, will be held at 11 a.m. During the program, Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA) will deliver the Congressional Victory Against Hunger Award. Lifelong's food program, Chicken Soup Brigade, which provides fresh nutritious meals and bags of groceries to 1,226 people in King County, was one of only 22 organizations nationwide to receive the award this year. The Chicken Soup Brirade prepares 18 meal types for clients based on medical, cultural or religious requirements. In addition to the award itself, Lifelong's Interim Executive Director David Richart and Board President Marc England, will receive a $1,000 check from the Congressional Hunger Center and Victory Wholesale Group. AIDS Walk participants will also hear from several team captains during the program. Barbara Velategui, a Lifelong Board Member and 37 year veteran teacher at Newport High School in Bellevue and a student member of the school's AIDS Student Peer Educators at Newport (ASPEN), will speak about their reasons for participating in the walk. Twenty-five ASPEN members, made up of Newport High School juniors and seniors, teach all the HIV/AIDS and STD prevention classes at Newport and four other Bellevue School District high schools. Each year they participate in the AIDS Walk to raise money for Lifelong. Throughout the morning, attendees are also invited to tie a red ribbon to a live "Red Ribbon Tree" in honor of loved ones or as a symbolic message of hope for the future. "Last year, we had the AIDS Quilt on site for our 20th anniversary of the Walk," said Asia. "This year, due to the costs of bringing in the Quilt, which we can't necessarily afford every year, we will be having a 'Red Ribbon Tree' so that people will be able to feel like there is a part they can contribute onsite to the event itself." For more information about the AIDS Walk and how you can participate and/or contribute, go to www.llaa.org, email aidswalk@llaa.org or call 206-328-8979.