Actor, Activist Blair Underwood Joins Thousands for Florida AIDS Walk

Walk Will Benefit AIDS Healthcare Foundation, AHF Pharmacy, Out of the Closet Thrift Stores, Broward Human Rights Initiative, Gay and Lesbian Community Center of South Florida and The Pet Project

By: AIDS Healthcare Foundation

Ft. Lauderdale, FL - March 10, 2009

Actor and activist Blair Underwood joins thousands of caring individuals from across the state for Florida AIDS Walk Sunday March 15th in Ft. Lauderdale at Huizenga Plaza.  Presented by and benefiting AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), AHF Pharmacy, Out of the Closet Thrift Stores, Broward Human Rights Initiative, Gay and Lesbian Community Center of South Florida and The Pet Project, one hundred percent of proceeds raised by Florida AIDS Walk 2009 will support the expansion HIV/AIDS medical and support services, including free HIV testing and prevention education in Florida’s Broward and Miami-Dade Counties, as well as healthcare for HIV-positive individuals throughout the state.  The Walk will also raise awareness that nearly 125,000 Floridians are living with HIV/AIDS.  Featured performers at the pre-Walk event include recording artist Sean Ensign, DJ Scott Mann and the Ft. Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus.

For more information, to make a donation, or to register as a team captain, walk participant, virtual walker, or volunteer, all are invited to visit: www.FloridaAIDSWalk.org.  Whether walking the full 10k route, the 5k route or only a few blocks – each person’s participation will make a difference.

“AHF appreciates this opportunity to join with people from across the state to bring a renewed sense of awareness to the community and help turn the tide of Florida’s AIDS crisis,” said Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation. “Florida AIDS Walk will not only raise urgently-needed funds for the expansion of free HIV testing, prevention education and treatment referral in Fort Lauderdale and throughout the state, but will also serve as a symbol of collaboration as Florida’s communities unite to fight this disease that knows no boundaries.”

Proceeds will benefit AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest AIDS organization in the United States; AHF Pharmacy, a non-profit, full-service pharmacy specializing in HIV/AIDS, Out of the Closet Thrift Stores, the nation’s largest HIV/AIDS fundraising vehicle; Broward Human Rights Initiative, a program that provides legal protection for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) community in Broward County; Gay and Lesbian Community Center of South Florida, serving the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender community by providing information, education, advocacy, support, human services, cultural experiences and social opportunities; and, The Pet Project, a nonprofit organization that serves the needs of low-income pet owners who are living with AIDS or terminal or disabling conditions and illnesses.

According to a recent “Dear Colleague” letter issued by the Florida Department of Health, regarding the latest HIV/AIDS statistics: “…the Bureau of HIV/AIDS calculates approximately 5,550 Floridians were newly infected with HIV in 2006.  The new estimate indicates that 36.4 of every 100,000 Floridians aged 13 years and older were newly infected with HIV in 2006.  This rate is more than 60 percent higher than the national rate of 22.8 per 100,000 population.”

“As HIV infection continues to affect a wide variety of populations in Florida, AHF is dedicated to providing effective prevention, including free HIV testing, and high-quality medical care to those living with HIV/AIDS in the state,” said Michael Kahane, AHF’s Bureau Chief, Southern Region. “I am inspired by all of the walkers who participated in the Florida AIDS Walk last year, and look forward to working with all those who are signing up this year to help support Floridians living with the disease and to raise awareness that the battle against AIDS is not over.” 

Principal and major sponsors of the 2009 Florida AIDS Walk are 97.9 FM WRMF, American Media, Inc., Sidelines Sports Bar, the Sun-Sentinel, Volunteer Broward, Express 411/South Florida Blade, Comcast, glaad, Mack Planet, Mark’s List and Rosie’s Bar & Grill.

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About AHF
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the nation’s largest non-profit HIV/AIDS organization. AHF currently provides medical care and/or services to more than 97,000 individuals in 22 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean and Asia. Additional information is available at www.aidshealth.org

In Florida, AHF serves more than 15,000 people living with HIV/AIDS through its programs, including: a statewide disease management program, a mobile health unit, two AHF Magic Johnson Healthcare Centers located in Jacksonville and Miami, the AHF NorthPoint healthcare center in Ft. Lauderdale, the AHF Pharmacy network and its Medicare Advantage Part D Special Needs program called Positive Healthcare Partners serving Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.  AHF recently opened an Out of the Closet Thrift Store in Wilton Manors, offering free HIV testing and treatment referral through an AHF Pharmacy built adjacent to the store.