Superheroes Unite! The AIDS Run/Walk for Life Takes Flight in Roger Williams Park This Saturday, April 21

Superheroes Unite! The AIDS Run/Walk for Life Takes Flight
in Roger Williams Park This Saturday, April 21
AIDS Project Rhode Island’s biggest event of the year funds support services to those living with HIV/AIDS programs targeted for cuts under the Trump Administration’s 2019 proposed budget
Providence, RI; April 17, 2018–This Saturday, April 21, a heroic team will come together at Roger Williams Park in Providence in support of those in our community living with HIV at this year’s AIDS Run/Walk for Life. The theme for this year’s Run/Walk is
“It Takes a Team of Heroes to Get to Zero” and encourages participants to dress as their favorite superhero (or make one of their own). Together, they are pushing for an end to AIDS and getting new HIV infections to zero in Rhode Island.
More than 2,600 individuals are living with HIV/AIDS in the Ocean State, many of whom live on very low incomes and depend on the services AIDS Project Rhode Island (APRI) provides, including food pantry access, mental health and substance abuse counseling, dental care, transportation assistance to get to medical appointments, housing advocacy, access to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, and much more. These are critical services that are among those under threat from the current Administration, which is proposing deep cuts in human services for fiscal year 2019, including to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS, among others.
Among the guests scheduled to appear at this year’s Run/Walk for Life include a special client speaker, as well as Gov. Gina Raimondo, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, Dr. Philip Chan of the Miriam Hospital and RI Dept. of Health, and Nick, Ron, and Pete Cardi, who are this year’s recipients of the Hope Harris Award, which recognizes persons or an organization dedicated to the fight against HIV/AIDS. Entertainment will be provided by members of the Providence Gay Men’s Chorus, as well as local drag queen performers the Trailer Park Girls. Among the sponsors of this year’s event are the Rhode Island Department of Health, Neighborhood Health Plan, Lifespan, United Way, and National Grid.
APRI is offering free HIV testing the day of the event and more than a dozen other community-based organizations from throughout the state will be part of the activities. The event is open to all ages, and awards will be handed out for best costumes!
AIDS Run/Walk for Life Event Details:
Saturday, April 21, 2018
Roger Williams Park Carousel Village
 
8 a.m.: Registration and Exhibitor Tables Open
9 a.m.: Speaking program begins
The 5K run will start immediately after the speaking program, with the walk following, approximately 9:45 a.m.
2 p.m.-6 p.m.: Official after-party at Free Play Bar & Arcade (182 Pine St., Providence), hosted by Kira Stone. $8 admission benefits both APRI and AIDS Care Ocean State. Admission free for runners and walkers who raise $250 or more.
 
To register as a runner or a walker, please visitwww.aidswalkforlife.org or www.firstgiving.com/aidswalkri/walkforlife2018. For questions about the event, please contact APRI at (401) 831-5522.

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