Clips For a Cause- 1/21/10 & 1/22/10 from 9am-3pm

careFollowing the traditions established by "Care Styles", a fundraiser held by AIDS Athens in the 1990's, we ask that stylists donate a half or full day to cutting hair at the Tate Plaza. Patrons will pay ten dollars per cut. This money, along with tips, will be donated to AIDS Walk/Run Athens.

AIDS Walk/Run Athens is a campaign initiated for the community and led by students at the University of Georgia. We hope to support and facilitate growth of existing traditions of HIV and AIDS advocacy and support in Northeast Georgia by starting an AIDS Walk/Run registered 5K to be held annually in Athens, Georgia. Funds raised at this year's AIDS Walk/Run will be donated to AIDS Athens, a 501c(3) nonprofit organization that supports nearly 300 individuals and families affected by HIV and AIDS in ten Northeast Georgia counties.

Unfortunately, there is a widespread misconception that there is now a cure for AIDS. Although expensive treatments are available, a false sense of security perpetuates this epidemic. According to recent data, Georgia ranks as the eighth highest HIV caseload in the U.S. Even worse, Georgia ranks fifth for the highest number of new annual AIDS diagnosis. In 2006, over 36,000 people in the state of Georgia and 700 people in Northeast Georgia were living with HIV or AIDS.

AIDS Walk/Run Athens seeks to enhance the capacities of the greater Athens communities to care for those affected by and to prevent future cases of HIV and AIDS.  The goals for the annual AIDS Walk/Run are (1) to raise funds for HIV and AIDS support organizations in Northeast Georgia; (2) to increase public awareness about HIV and AIDS, the impacts of HIV and AIDS on the people in our communities, and currently available local resources; (3) to unite the larger Athens and university communities in fighting stigma, promoting prevention, and demanding positive legislation.