Pride month in Boston traditionally kicks off with the annual walk (the first and largest in New England) and 5K run to raids funds to support funding and find a cure for AIDS, and who better to address the thousands who participate than Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Mass. Sen. President Stan Rosenberg?
Opening ceremonies for the 30th annual AIDS Walk & 5K Run starts at 9 a.m. on Sunday, June 7, at Boston Common, where both the walk and run set forth and wind up. Registration and check-in begin at 7:30 a.m. at the Commons and the 5K start is 9:50 a.m. The walk starts at 10 a.m.
According to a recent AIDS Action Committee press release:
The Walk is 6.2-miles. The 5K Run is a competitive, timed event fully sanctioned by the USA Track & Field Association. WCVB-TV Eye Opener Newscaster Randy Price will emcee the event, which also includes a Wellness Festival, a post-walk celebration of healthy living.
The event regularly draws thousands of participants, making it AIDS Action Committee’s largest annual fundraiser and the largest AIDS awareness event in New England.
Facts About HIV/AIDS in Massachusetts
–Between FY 2000 and FY 2015, the budget for HIV/AIDS has decreased approximately 40% from $51.7 million to $32.1 million.
–Between 2000 and 2012, the number of people living HIV/AIDS in Massachusetts increased 49%, placing substantial demands on existing prevention and treatment programs.
–Blacks make up only 6% of the state’s population, but they comprise 30% of those living with HIV/AIDS.
–Hispanics make up only 10% of the state’s population, but they comprise 24% of those living with HIV/AIDS.
–The proportion of new HIV infection diagnoses among gay and bisexual men increased from 33% in 2003 to 46% in 2012
Corporate sponsors of this year’s AIDS Walk and 5K Run include: Macy’s, Whole Foods Market, The TJX Companies, Walgreens, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Eastern Bank, Gilead Sciences, AbbVie, Delta Dental of Massachusetts, EMD Serono, PALMco, Partners Healthcare, Patriot Care, Abt Associates, BNY Mellon, Merck & Co, Inc. Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., Neighborhood Health Plan, ONE Condoms, Unclaimed Property Division, Bristol-Myers Squibb, The Boston Globe, GinnyBakes, OraSure Technologies, Naked Juice, ViiV Healthcare, JetBlue, Polar Beverages, Starbucks, and Social Boston Sports. In addition to WCVB-TV, this year’s media sponsors are 101.7 The Bull, JAM’N 94.5, KISS 108, and Yelp.
Follow @AIDSWalkBoston and the hashtag #AWB5K for information about HIV/AIDS and the Boston AIDS Walk.
About AIDS Walk Boston & 5K Run
The AIDS Walk was first held in 1986 and is one of the first fundraising walks to be introduced in Boston, as well as the country. The 5K Run was added to open up fundraising to runners. Historically AAC’s largest fundraising event, it has raised over $39 million for programs and services to support those living with and at risk for contracting HIV/AIDS.
