Thousands hit the streets for AIDS

People from all over Delaware Valley participated in the seventh annual Philadelphia AIDS Walk on Sunday, trying to raise awareness of the epidemic and remembering some of its many victims. And in the process, organizers said, more than $600,000 in donations was raised to benefit area AIDS-related organizations. The University was well represented, as over 100 students from various school took the streets for the 12-kilometer walk. Along the route, bands, folk and gospel singers, dancers and clowns entertained the walkers before the event culminated in a free picnic and concert, social work graduate student Mary Delaney said. Before the walk, an hour-long vigil was held and the names of people who have died of HIV-related diseases were read, she said. The event was sponsored by From All Walks of Life, an organization formed in 1987 by community volunteers, registration coordinator Rebecca Baranowski said. Baranowski said the organization is the "single largest private funder of AIDS service in the Delaware Valley," distributing more than $1 million to AIDS-related organizations since its inception. Walkers were sponsored per kilometer and there was no minimum donation. "We'll take whatever people bring," Baranowski said. According to Eric Wichner, executive director of From All Walks, more than 10,000 participant raised $450,000 last year. More than 13,000 people walked on Sunday, and Wichner said that the preliminary donations have totalled over $620,000. This year's donations will benefit 36 AIDS-related organizations, including the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Baranowski said. Dozens of University students remained in the area despite Fall Break to participate in the walk. Several groups from the University were among the 450 teams at the Walk, Baranowski said. Approximately 50 Law School students, 20 HUP AIDS clinic personnel, 30 Veterinary School students and "lots" of Social Work School members participated, Social Work graduate student Bruce Weiss said. Nineteen Ware College house students, friends and faculty also participated and raised over $1,000, Delaney said. "It's overwhelming to see so many people from so many different backgrounds coming together to support the walk," Wharton sophomore Sam Chandon said. The route began at Eakins Oval across from the Philadelphia Art Museum, continued down West River Drive across the Falls Bridge and back to the Art Museum along Kelly Drive. "It was a nice walk – not too long, not too short," said Wharton sophomore David Krisintu.