Come Together Wherever You Are for This Year’s AIDS Run/Walk for Life

Come Together Wherever You Are for This Year’s
AIDS Run/Walk for Life

This year’s 5K Run/Walk honors AIDS Project Rhode Island’s 35^th anniversary and
raises critically needed funds for people living with, affected by, and at risk for HIV

(Providence, RI; August 19, 2020)—AIDS Project Rhode Island (APRI) is proud to announce that its biggest fundraiser, the annual AIDS Run/Walk for Life, will take place as a virtual event everyone can participate in over the weekend of October 3-4, 2020. Registration is now open at www.runwalkforlife.org.

This year’s Run/Walk for Life commemorates APRI’s 35^th anniversary and allows participants to create their own 5K (3.1 mile) route, whether in their own neighborhood or further afield. Funds raised from the Run/Walk for Life go to support critically needed programs APRI offers to individuals living with, affected by, and at risk for HIV. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, APRI has continued providing client services uninterrupted and has adapted to meet demand.

“The Run/Walk for Life also assists in funding many other services, including housing navigation, an oral health care program, emergency financial assistance, as well as APRI’s HIV and hepatitis C testing program and health education efforts,” APRI Director Mikel Wadewitz says. “This year is of course different because of COVID-19—which also impacts so many individuals we serve. We wanted to be able to hold the Run/Walk for Life not only to highlight our landmark anniversary, but also to make sure we can continue providing services. Our goal is always to make sure we support our clients in whatever ways we can, whether that’s through our food pantry, with mental health services, or delivering PPE to their doorsteps.”

Registrations and fundraising for the Run/Walk for Life help APRI sustain programs such as its food and personal care item pantry—which has seen a 140% increase in demand in the last four months. Due to COVID, the pantry now also delivers masks, cleaning supplies, and more. The Run/Walk for Life also assists in funding many other services, including housing navigation services, an oral health care program, emergency financial assistance, as well as APRI’s HIV and hepatitis C testing program and health education efforts. In 2019, for example, APRI conducted more than 1,000 rapid HIV, hepatitis C tests, and in response to COVID has started mailing at-home HIV test kits to individuals.

According to the RI Department of Health, about 2,700 people are currently living with HIV/AIDS in the Ocean State, and HIV continues to disproportionately affect low-income and minority communities, particularly young gay and bisexual men and women of color. On a brighter note, many tools exist that can help make getting to zero new HIV infections a reality. Rhode Island is also an official partner with the global “Undetectable = Untransmittable” campaign, which educates the public that a person with HIV who is on medication and achieves an undetectable viral level cannot pass HIV on to a partner.

AIDS Run/Walk for Life Event Details:

October 3-4, 2020
+ Online Thank-You Event: October 5, 2020 (Details TBA)

To take part, all you need to do is:

Register at www.runwalkforlife.org. You can sign up as a solo runner or walker, or start a team and fundraise. (We’ll even tell you how to plan your own 5K route on your phone with the Runkeeper app!)
Share with friends, family, and colleagues that you’re a community health hero and encourage them to join in or support you.
Use the #RunWalkForLife2020 hashtag and tag @AIDSProjectRI on Facebook and Twitter, or @hello_apri on Instagram
If you cannot participate, you can still make a donation at the link above!
There is no fee to sign up a team or fundraise. Solo runners/walkers can register for $35 or $50, which includes an exclusive event T-shirt.