It’s time to strap on those sneakers and break open those piggy banks (and trust funds) for the 16th annual AIDS Walk San Diego on Sunday, Oct. 2.

Despite educational efforts and outreach to citizens coast to coast, HIV is still prevalent in this country, with a daunting 1,039,000 to 1,185,000 persons infected in the United States and an additional 24 to 27 percent undiagnosed and unaware of their HIV infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Additionally, the CDC reports that 929,985 people have been diagnosed with AIDS, as of late 2003, and cumulatively there have been 524,060 deaths. California is second to New York in reporting the highest number of AIDS cases.

Thanks to huge state and federal government funding cuts of over $1.5 million to local agencies in the last two years and a lesser focus on HIV in the media, newer information on the course of the disease is less accessible, and private fund-raising efforts are essential to deter this roadblock. According to health officials, it is imperative at this juncture that the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community remain ever vigilant about safer sexual practices and getting tested for the HIV virus regularly to prevent the spread of new infection.

According to AIDS Walk officials, the Institute of Medicine approximates that $22,000 a year is needed to cover medical and basic life needs for one person living with HIV in San Diego. Those with advanced cases of AIDS would require even more.

With that said, AIDS Walk San Diego, sponsored by The Center in conjunction with the San Diego HIV Funding Collaborative, will once again do its part to raise money and awareness about a disease that has ravished the GLBT community for nearly three decades.

According to The Center’s director of development, Shawn Ingram, money raised by the walk will go to benefit direct providers to HIV/AIDS patients through a grant application process. AIDS Walk is the largest one-day HIV/AIDS fund-raiser in San Diego, having raised over $6 million in the last 15 years for the HIV/AIDS community. Aside from government funding, AIDS Walk is the largest financial supporter of HIV/AIDS services locally, according to their Web site.

Last year, the walk managed to raise about a half-million dollars, which was granted out to over a dozen local HIV/AIDS agencies. Ingram says the goal is to raise more money and awareness at this year’s walk, although there may be some obstacles.

“This year, people have made extraordinary gifts to the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and that is so important…. But we live in an extremely committed and generous community, so I am hopeful that people will remember how critical it is to support services for people living with HIV/AIDS locally as well.”

An estimated 12,000 people are expected to turn out for this year’s event, and already $180,000 has been pledged. Ingram says the AIDS Walk organizers are optimistic about the current fund-raising efforts.

“I think we will do it [reach the monetary goal]. I know that so many folks in San Diego care very much about AIDS Walk and the people living with HIV/AIDS within our community. I am always amazed that San Diegans are so generous and include this event as part of their philanthropy plan every year,” he said.

“We are working hard to make sure that we do better than last year. Our HIV/AIDS service organizations really need the funding. More importantly, people living with HIV/AIDS in San Diego absolutely depend on these life-saving services, so we intend to do all we can,” he added.

Since President George W. Bush took office, the nation has seen severe budget cuts around HIV/AIDS research, medicine and services. Ingram said that San Diego has felt a crunch in dollars and is expecting to be devastated if certain legislation is not passed.

“Since the advent of this [current presidential] administration, HIV funding has been cut significantly,” he said. “San Diego County has lost more than $1 million in HIV funding over the past year. The Ryan White Care Act, the federal HIV assistance funding bill, is due to be reauthorized next year. If funding for the bill is cut by the Bush administration, San Diego County could lose more than $13 million.”

Because of this and because people are living longer with HIV and AIDS, Ingram said fund-raising efforts, such as San Diego’s AIDS Walk, are paramount.

“The HIV/AIDS crisis still impacts our community and people we care about every day. While infection rates seemed to be slowing down, recent reports indicate that infection rates are rising among young gay and bi men, African-American women and in communities of color at large. Until the HIV/AIDS crisis is over, we are absolutely committed to doing all we can to fight this disease and help the people impacted by HIV/AIDS,” he said.

From large corporations to middle school classes, supporters of AIDS Walk come from all walks of life.

As is customary, the festival will begin in Balboa Park at 7:00 a.m. Community members, for a $25 contribution, will be able to participate in the 10K run/5K walk and will receive a free T-shirt. (However, a contribution is not required to participate.) Those with participating dogs can also receive a free pet T-shirt with their $25 application fee.

The 8:00 a.m. walk/run will begin after 7:00 a.m. registration at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Olive Street, which includes a brief announcement. Prior to the run, there will also be a 7:45 a.m. aerobic warm-up.

Following the walk, which winds down Sixth Avenue, down University, up Park Boulevard and back to the starting point area in Balboa Park, a festival to inform and entertain participants will start at 10:00 a.m. The festival includes live entertainment, food and merchant booths, and a Kids Fun Zone. The AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on a display, featured with a “Path of Remembrance.”

Free HIV testing will be available at the walk by the San Diego County Mobile Outreach Unit. Other booths include HIV/AIDS direct providers and various other sponsors.

This year’s organizers say they are geared up for a large, successful walk, and encourage the entire community to pitch in and participate.

“Each year AIDS Walk has twin goals: First, to educate and remind San Diegans about the tens of thousands of families, youth, children, men and women living with HIV/AIDS, and the challenges of living with this disease; and secondly, to raise desperately needed funds for doctor’s care, meals, medicines, housing, transportation and support for those who are struggling,” said Delores Jacobs, executive director of The Center. “Each year the number of people living with HIV/AIDS increases, and finding ways to help fill the growing gaps is vital if we are to continue to care for the families and neighbors who need our help.”

In fact, one of today’s biggest myths about HIV and AIDS is that the funding to support the various San Diego agencies is permanent and abundant, said Ingram.

“There are many dangerous myths about HIV in our community,” he said. “One that is disturbing to me is that some people think funding for HIV services is completely secure and therefore these services will always be there.”

He added, “That is not true. Some of our most essential programs that provide life-saving medications to people have faced real threats of being cut in the last year. We have to continue to fight for the essential funding we need to combat this disease, or it could disappear.”

The Center has created its own team to raise $20,000 through its staff and community member contributions. They have not met the goal as of press time, but have encouraged the community to contribute and hope to tip the scales to their original goal by Oct. 2.

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina and the estimated 1,000 temporary residents San Diego is hosting, no real statistic has been estimated to determine what percentage of the evacuees are HIV positive and will require San Diego’s resources to cover medical care and other needs.

According to Terry Cunningham, chief of the HIV/STD/Hepatitis Branch of Public Health Services in San Diego, San Diego is prepared to handle an influx of HIV/AIDS cases, although it is difficult to gauge what the impact will be from hurricane victims. Since many came on their own and were not brought to San Diego by the Red Cross directly, it is difficult to determine how many have actually landed in San Diego, and how many new cases of HIV/AIDS the county will need to support, he said.

“We’re geared up and ready to help anyone with a need for these services,” Cunningham said.

Ingram also mulled over the possibility that more money will be needed for local services with new HIV-positive residents, but said it was difficult to determine what the impact could be.

“This number is hard to quantify, but I know that HIV-positive victims of Katrina are in dire need of meds and support,” he said. “I am sure that some of those taking shelter from Katrina in San Diego will be HIV positive. In part because of AIDS Walk support, local agencies will be able to offer these people the assistance they need.”

A new campaign, the Until There’s a Cure red bracelet campaign, has also been established this year. Based on the previous bracelet campaigns LiveStrong and TheOne.Org, this year’s event organizers are selling red bracelets with this year’s slogan, “Until There’s a Cure,” engraved on top, for $2 a piece. The bracelets are available online at www.aidswalksd.org or by calling the AIDS Walk office at (619) 291-WALK.

According to AIDS Walk officials, the bracelets will provide an additional funding opportunity for the organization and will help to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS in the community. So far, the bracelets have received a positive community response, according to The Center.

Ultimately, according to the director of development, The Center’s main objective is to use the reputation of AIDS Walk to gather as much people to make as much money possible to support the hundreds of community members in San Diego living with this disease.

Besides the red bracelet campaign, Ingram said there are many other ways to support AIDS Walk.

“Give to AIDS Walk San Diego by visiting the Web site,” he said. “AIDS Walk dollars are the best way to help more than 20 agencies deliver services, outreach and education in San Diego. Even the smallest amount will be appreciated. Also, join us for AIDS Walk itself – it’s an inspiring event.”

Ingram said the number-one reason to support AIDS Walk is because of the people this disease has touched.

“Because people living with HIV/AIDS matter,” he said. “They are our friends, neighbors, partners and family members, and we value the people we love.”

When: Sunday, Oct. 2

Register: 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Pre-walk ceremony: 7:00 to 8:00 a.m.

10K run: 8:00 a.m.

5K walk: 8:05 a.m.

Post-walk festival: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Cost: $25+ (includes free T-shirt and one for your pet)

Where: Balboa Park at the corner of Quince Street and Sixth Avenue