Participants Weatherproof for AIDS Walk Philly
Updated 3:40 PM EDT, Sun, Oct 18, 2009
People trying to raise AIDS-HIV awareness, honor friends and family who died, or support friends and family living with AIDS-HIV armed themselves with umbrellas and donned raincoats and boots to participate in AIDS Walk Philly Sunday morning.
Organizers hoped as many as 15,000 people would attend the event despite the rain and cold.
"There's a lot of second thoughts," said participant Nicole Johnson. "I didn't want to get up. I literally rolled out of bed, but you gotta do what you gotta do. So it's important. If we didn't do it, then how do we raise the money? So it shows how important it is. And if I'm getting out of bed, then it's important."
Many walkers have HIV themselves, including Jack Mackenroth, of "Project Runway" fame, who is part of Living Positive by Design, and AIDS-HIV awareness education campaign.
"I think a sense of urgency has dissipated a little bit on a global and national level," he said. "That's why we need to keep doing events like this to keep it in the consciousness and remind people that it can be a fatal disease, it is still a large issue and we still need to address it."
Organizers said the event rasied just under $300,000, which was shy of their goal of $500,000. Donations can still be made at the event's website AIDSWalkPhilly.org.
"The money does all stay local, and it goes toward public awareness campaigns, HIV prevention education and shelters and schools and community centers throughout the region," said AIDS Fund Executive Director Robb Reichard.
First Published: Oct 18, 2009 12:27 PM EDT
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