WHAT: The 21st annual AIDS Walk & Run San Diego, the largest one-day HIV/AIDS fundraiser in San Diego County.

WHEN: Sun., Sept. 26

Registration begins at 6am; opening ceremonies at 7:30am

Walk steps off at 8:10am

WHERE: Balboa Park — step off is near Sixth Avenue and Quince

WHY: To raise awareness about the impact of HIV and AIDS, and to raise critically-needed funds for more than 20 San Diego County HIV/AIDS organizations that serve the more than 16,000 people living with the disease in San Diego County.

NOTE: Walkers and organizational spokespeople will be available on Sept. 26 from 6-9am at Sixth and Quince. To arrange advance or day-of-event coverage, please contact Dianne Hardy-Garcia at (619) 251-5589. For more information, go to www.AIDSWalkSD.org.

AIDS Walk San Diego is San Diego’s largest one-day HIV/AIDS fundraiser and the biggest non-governmental financial provider for HIV/AIDS in San Diego County. Dozens of agencies — serving thousands of clients — rely on funds raised at the annual AIDS Walk to help provide essential prevention and care programs to thousands of men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS.

Established as AIDS Walk San Diego in 1989, this event took place for two years prior as the Walk for Life. Through a unique funding partnership with the San Diego HIV Funding Collaborative, AIDS Walk San Diego is able to increase the impact of the dollars raised at the event. Funds from the Walk are combined with donations from other philanthropists and foundations to qualify for matching funds. Since 1989, AIDS Walk San Diego has raised nearly $8 million. In partnership with the San Diego HIV Funding Collaborative, nearly $500,000 was distributed to 20 community-based HIV/AIDS service organizations in San Diego County.