AIDS Walk for Life Back in Town

The 29th annual AIDS Walk for Life returns to town on Saturday, Sept. 27 with on-site registration beginning at 9 a.m.

The event will be emceed by NBC 10’s Alison Bologna and feature speakers from a series of sectors:

-David J. Gonsalves, who received recognition for his leadership on HIV prevention issues from the Rhode Island Department of Health in 2012, and, in 2011, from the Rhode Island Community Planning Group for HIV Prevention in Rhode Island. Mr. Gonsalves, 52, is a Fall River native and resides in Central Falls and has been HIV positive since 1984. He is chair of the AIDS clinical trials advisory board at The Miriam Hospital; vice chair of the immunology community advisory board at the hospital; and is a community presenter for AIDS Project Rhode Island. In June, at the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) network meeting in Washington D.C., he was presented the Bridget Murtagh Award for exemplary dedication and service in advancing the cause of clinical trials and research.

-Philip Chan, M.D., director of the HIV/STD Prevention Clinic at The Miriam Hospital Immunology Center. He is serving as event chair.

-Rhode Island College President Nancy Carriuolo, who will be the first president of a college or university to speak at the event in recent memory. Dr. Carriuolo is honorary chair of the event and previously served on the board of the Stewart B. McKinney Foundation, which provides support to families of those with HIV/AIDS.

-Congressman David Cicilline, former chair of AIDS Project Rhode Island.

-Kayla Wingert, a student activist at Johnson & Wales University.

The event benefits AIDS Project RI, which provides education, prevention and testing programs, and a range of services for people living with HIV/AIDS in the state; as well as other AIDS services organizations. Free, anonymous and rapid testing for HIV will be available.

There will be entertainment, including the Providence Gay Men’s Chorus, and free food, coffee and giveaways will be available. Parking will be free in the open State Administration lot on Smith Street, Providence. This is a family-friendly and dog-friendly event.

Sponsors include Cardi’s Furniture; UnitedHealthcare Community Plan; The Miriam Hospital, a Lifespan Partner; Walgreens; NBC 10; CVS Health; the City of Providence; Coast 93.3 radio; the Providence Phoenix; Poder 1110 radio; Rhode Island School of Design; Latino Public Radio; Providence Gay Men’s Chorus; Options magazine; and the AIDS Quilt.

AIDS Project Rhode Island is seeking to add to its list of sponsors. Sponsorship and general information is available by contacting Julie Casimiro at 401-519-2289 or Julie@aidsprojectri.org.

The AIDS Walk for Life starts and ends on the Rhode Island State House lawn. On-site registration for the 2.5 mile walk begins at 9 a.m., with the kick-off at 10 a.m. shortly after the speaking program. Registration is also available online. AIDS Walk 2014 t-shirts are available to anyone who raises $100 or more, while supplies last.

The Rhode Island State House is located on 82 Smith St in Providence.

Photo of David Gonsalves is courtesy of Family Service of Rhode Island.