Rhode Island College President Supports AIDS Walk for Life
Rhode Island College President Nancy Carriuolo is urging students to support the upcoming AIDS Walk for Life.
The 29th annual event is slated for Saturday, September 27, 2014 starting and ending on the Rhode Island State House lawn. The event benefits AIDS Project RI, which provides education, prevention and testing programs, and a range of services for people living with HIV/AIDS in the state; as well as other AIDS services organizations. AIDS Project RI is a division of Family Service of RI.
“I join with AIDS Project Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Department of Health, the Miriam Hospital and many others dedicated to achieving the state’s goal of zero new HIV and AIDS cases in the next five years,” said Dr. Carriuolo, who is the walk’s honorary chair. An advocate for both HIV/AIDS research and prevention, Dr. Carriuolo previously served on the board of the Stewart B. McKinney Foundation, which provides support to families of those with HIV/AIDS.
Walk chair Philip Chan, M.D. thanked Dr. Carriuolo for providing leadership on the issue. “We’re concerned that young people are not getting the prevention message, so having Dr. Carriuolo’s leadership is deeply appreciated,” he said. Dr. Chan is director of the HIV/STD Prevention Clinic at The Miriam Hospital Immunology Center.
On-site registration for the 2.5 mile walk begins at 9 a.m., with the kick-off at 10. Registration is also available on-line at www.aidsprojectri.org or http://www.firstgiving.com/aidswalkri. AIDS Walk 2014 t-shirts are available to anyone who raises $100 or more, while supplies last.
The walk has the HIV/AIDS prevention theme “Do It Right,” reflecting the theme of the HIV/STD prevention campaign kicked off in June by AIDS Project Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Department of Health, The Miriam Hospital, and the Rhode Island Public Health Institute.
Free on-site anonymous and rapid testing will be available at the walk. There will be free flu shots, entertainment, including the Providence Gay Men’s Chorus, and free food, coffee and giveaways will be available. Parking will be free in the open State Administration lot on Smith Street, Providence. “Also, don’t forget to bring the kids and dogs!” said Dr. Chan. It will be a family and dog-friendly event.
Sponsors include Cardi’s Furniture; United Healthcare; The Miriam Hospital, a Lifespan Partner; Walgreens; NBC 10; Coast 93.3 radio; the Providence Phoenix; Poder 1110 radio; Rhode Island School of Design; Latino Public Radio; Providence Gay Men’s Chorus; and the AIDS Quilt.
AIDS Project Rhode Island is seeking to add to its list of sponsors.
Sponsorship and general information is available by contacting Julie Casimiro at 401-519-2289 or Julie@aidsprojectri.org.