THIRD WALK/RUN TO BE PEACHTREE QUALIFIER!

For Immediate Release

THIRD ANNUAL ATHENS AIDS WALK/RUN is Peachtree Qualifier

Athens, G.A. - October 14, 2009

On February 13, 2010, college students and community members will unite to combat the AIDS epidemic in the greater Athens area. The Third Annual AIDS Walk/Athens is a campaign initiated for the community and led by students at the University of Georgia. Our goal is to support and facilitate the growth of existing traditions of HIV/AIDS advocacy and support in Northeast Georgia by starting an AIDS Walk/Run covering 5K to be held annually in Athens, Georgia.


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 and the impact of the disease on the people in our communities; and (3) to unite the larger Athens and university communities in fighting the stigma associated with the disease and promoting prevention.

Unlike current AIDS Walk events in the Georgia, the proceeds raised from this inaugural event will directly benefit a local AIDS Service Organization in our community, AIDS Athens. AIDS Athens is a nonprofit organization that serves to address the needs of individuals infected and affected by HIV/AIDS through support services and to prevent the spread of the disease through education and outreach. In addition to the greater Athens area, AIDS Athens serves the 10 County Northeast Georgia Health District, which includes Jackson, Clarke, Greene, Oglethorpe, Walton, Barrow, Oconee, Madison, Elbert and Morgan Counties.


The student leaders organizing this event strongly believe that the walk will be successful and will continue to grow each year for the benefit of more AIDS service organizations working to combat the disease in rural Georgia. Whereas current AIDS Walk events are focused solely on organizations serving Atlanta and other metropolitan areas, this event seeks to assist those groups working to combat the growing spread of the disease in our rural communities.

The AIDS Walk will take place on February 13, 20010 in downtown Athens. Come help make history by registering to run the 5K, walk with us or form a team. For more information about the event and to register, log on www.aidswalkrunathens.org