IRVINE, Calif., April 10, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AIDS Services Foundation Orange County (ASF) announced today that the 26th annual AIDS Walk Orange County, to be held at the Disneyland® Resort, will focus on a future without HIV and AIDS. The start of the May 6th walk will be marked as the "Beginning of the End of AIDS in Orange County."
"Traditionally, the period of time surrounding AIDS Walk has focused on the strides we have made in treatment and the comfort we have provided to those individuals affected by the disease. There has not been, and still isn't, a reason to celebrate a vaccine or cure for the disease," said Philip Yaeger, ASF executive director. "But, in years to come, when we look back on this walk, we will have reason to celebrate."
Continued Yaeger, "We expect to help eradicate HIV from Orange County through increased testing, focused education outreach efforts, and a dedication to keeping clients in care. Through these measures and with our walkers' help, we can do it!"
Five thousand walkers are expected to cross the starting line before walking the magical route through Disneyland park, Disney California Adventure park and Downtown Disney. As they begin the walk, supporters will be asked to pledge to take the necessary measures in their lives to stop HIV in Orange County. That pledge will be expressed through a chant of "Be the Vaccine."
The ideas and thoughts behind the pledge will be prominent in messaging leading up to the start line.
"'Be the Vaccine' is a simple concept," said Marc Montminy, director of communications and public relations at ASF. "We want the walkers who cross the start line to pledge to work personally toward a future without HIV. We want them to get tested and know their status; educate themselves, their families and friends about HIV and learn how to prevent contraction and transmission of the virus; and if they are HIV-positive, we want them to stay in care and adhere to the medications prescribed by their doctors."
Walkers will be able to begin implementation of their pledge at the post-Walk festival in the Downtown Disney District. ASF health educators and testing coordinators will be available on-site to perform rapid HIV tests free of charge. The test consists of a simple swab of the mouth and results are available within 20 minutes. Counselors will also be on hand to address any positive results.
The 2012 AIDS Walk Orange County will be held Sunday, May 6, at the Disneyland® Resort. Walkers are expected to step off from Main Street, USA, at 7:00 a.m.. The walk is returning to the Disneyland® Resort after a successful walk at the same venue in May 2011.
First held in 1987 at Mason Park in Irvine, the walk has taken place in various locations and raised over $14 million in donations to help provide services for people affected by HIV/AIDS in Orange County. ASF organizes the event with proceeds shared among several nonprofit agencies that provide services to people living in Orange County that are impacted by the disease.
The agencies benefiting from the 2012 event are: AEGiS; The Center Orange County; Laguna Beach Community Clinic; Mercy House; Orange County Cornerstone Outreach; Public Law Center; Shanti Orange County; Straight Talk Clinic, Inc.; and AIDS Services Foundation Orange County.
ASF is a nonprofit organization founded in 1985. Annually, the agency assists more than 1,600 men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS. Among the services ASF provides are food, transportation, housing, emergency financial assistance, mental health counseling, HIV testing, and HIV prevention and education programs. To learn more about ASF go to www.ocasf.org. For more information about AIDS Walk visit www.aidswalkorangecounty.org.
A file accompanying this release is available at http://media.globenewswire.com/cache/19719/file/13246.jpg
The AIDS Walk Orange County logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=12351
