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(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080601/CLSU019 )
"People still have time to make donations, either online or by mailing acheck," said Rebecca Haag, President and CEO, AAC
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"It's not over in the U.S., in Massachusetts or in Boston," she added. "Wehave added around 1,000 new HIV infections in Massachusetts since the lastWalk."
"By walking today, you have left your footprint, and you will have been apart of that," she told Walkers about her wish for people to talk to theirfriends about how to prevent new HIV infections to stop the spread of theepidemic.
On the most beautiful sunny day so far in 2008, the crowd's spirits wereas raised as Rev. Irene Monroe's inspiring invocation, which launched the Walkfrom the Hatch Shell to close the opening ceremonies. David Brown, WCVB-TV5's Co-Anchor of the top-rated EyeOpener newscast, served as MC and then was arunner in the record-breaking Larry Kessler 5K Run.
Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino lauded the prevention, services and policywork of AIDS Action. He reminded Walk participants that their efforts must bere-doubled to help keep AAC and Massachusetts national leaders. "We need toraise money to make a safer world for our younger people, and we must stayfocused, now more than ever. so that someday we can have the celebration Idream of right here, on the day that there is an end to this epidemic," saidMenino.
Haag made special recognition of Bette Burns, who she called "a trulyexceptional individual" and characterized her as personifying inspirationalqualities, namely, "loyalty, commitment to family and community, and faithfulremembrance." Byrnes began walking in 1991 with her son John, who had justbeen diagnosed with AIDS. In 1994, John died, and his mother Bette, whoreturns annually to Boston for the AIDS Walk, has raised more than $250,000 inJohn's honor and memory.
Macy's Foundation as Presenting Sponsor of AIDS Walk Boston 2008, had thelargest Walk team and its 250-member team was larger than Macy's New York AIDSWalk team. Monster is the Walk's Principal Sponsor, stepping up its supportlevel over that of 2007. Additional sponsors of AIDS Walk Boston include EMDSerono, MBTA, Whole Foods Market, Partners HealthCare, TJX Companies, WCVB-TV5, The Boston Phoenix, Metro Boston, El Planeta and WFNX 101.7.
This year marked the launch of ClubCares, a new initiative driven by arearestaurants and clubs to support AIDS Walk Boston. Sponsors include ClubCafe, dbar, Epic, Machine, Milky Way and Ramrod, each which sponsored tailoredevents at their venues. ClubCares is capped off after the AIDS Walk todaywith a special post-Walk brunch at Club Cafe, to which the public is invitedand which will donate proceeds to AIDS Action Committee.
About The AIDS Action Committee
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, Inc., (AAC), New England's firstand largest AIDS organization, is dedicated to stopping the spread of HIV/AIDSby preventing new infections and optimizing the health of those alreadyinfected. AAC provides free confidential services to men and women alreadyliving with HIV/AIDS, as well as conducts extensive educational and preventionoutreach to those at risk of infection. AAC runs the only statewide AIDSHotline (1.800.235.2331), Hepatitis Hotline (1.888.443.4372) and PharmacyAccess Hotline (1.800.988.5209). All Hotlines offer support in Spanish and inEnglish. Free and confidential HIV testing and counseling is available atAAC's downtown Bo
