AIDS Walk Arizona Takes Place Saturday In Tempe

TEMPE, AZ —Registration remains open for Saturday's Aunt Rita's Foundation's AIDS Walk Arizona and 5K Run in Tempe, which is the largest gathering in the state to support people living with HIV and raise community awareness, according to organizers.

This event will be held in person for the first time since 2020. Last year's walk/run was held virtually due to the pandemic.

The 2022 walk/run takes place at 3 p.m. Saturday at Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, though the AIDS Walk registration tent and vendor village will open at 1 p.m. The event is presented by CAN Community Health.

All proceeds from the event will benefit Aunt Rita's Foundation's 13 community partner agencies, which provide critical HIV services including: testing, treatment, behavioral health, housing and prevention, among other services.

"AIDS Walk Arizona is an annual opportunity for those in the HIV community and our allies to have a voice and use this platform to inform Arizona that the only way we can end HIV is if individuals take safety precautions — including a single pill a day regimen that prevents HIV transmission, get tested, know your status, and get treatment if needed," Jimmy Thomason, executive director of Aunt Rita's Foundation, told Patch.

"Within weeks of a person finding out they are HIV+ and getting on treatment, they can be undetectable. This means that the virus cannot be transmitted to another individual and they can live a normal, healthy, and happy life. It all starts with awareness, and that's why Aunt Rita's Foundation and AIDS Walk Arizona will be here until HIV ends."

Information and registration forms for AIDS Walk Arizona can be found on the event's website.

Registration fees are $20 for students, $35 for individual and virtual walkers and $45 for runners. The fees include an AIDS Walk shirt and sponsor swag.

People also can walk with their dogs, which costs $10 and includes a PAWS for the Cause bandana.

Children 12 and under can participate for free as part of KIDS for the Cause. Registration is required and they must be accompanied by an adult. They will receive an AIDS Walk shirt and Kids for the Cause swag from the AIDS Walk vendor village.

The AIDS Walk Arizona website also includes details for people looking to create teams or for individuals interested in supporting a fundraiser or a participating team, according to organizers.

Free parking for the event is available at the ADP parking garage, 201 S. Ash Avenue.

At Saturday's walk/run, there will be live music from Pride for Strife and 101.5 FM on the Main Stage. Meanwhile, entertainment on the route will be provided by: DJ Vibr8, Lou Allure, Pyraddiction, Kenny Thomas and the Messengers, and Carol Pacey and the Honeyshakers, according to organizers.

Additionally, an AIDS Walk After Party will take place after 4:30 p.m. at Sunbar, 24 W. 5th St. in Tempe.

In addition to CAN Community Health, AIDS Walk Arizona has many sponsors, including: Walgreens, Gilead, highlighting their product Biktarvy, Spectrum Medical, Albertsons/Safeway, Tito's Handmade Vodka, Desert Diamond Casino West Valley, DrinkInAZ and Hensley Beverage Company.