• Patient Care

UCSF Raises Money for a Good Cause at AIDS Walk San Francisco

By Max Root

UCSF faculty, staff and students joined thousands in Golden Gate Park’s Sharon Meadow on July 21 for the 27th annual AIDS Walk San Francisco.

Fifteen UCSF teams, comprising roughly 350 people, walked the 10K course along with 25,000 other participants this year.

UCSF consistently has one of the best turnouts at the event, which raises money for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and 28 other local organizations involved with Bay Area AIDS prevention and treatment. UCSF walkers raised more than $53,000 so far this year, with donations expected to continue coming in until mid-August. Once the final count is tallied, the University will award the UCSF AIDS Walk Trophy to the team that raised the most money. The total raised by all teams from around the San Francisco Bay Area was more than $2.5 million.

“I look forward to this event every year,” said Joey Convento, UCSF events coordinator in charge of logistics for the UCSF AIDS Walk Team. “We’re raising money for such a great cause.” 

In addition to the participants, 25 UCSF volunteers ran the university’s booth at the event, which distributed T-shirts, breakfast and lunches to participants.

“I bet you everyone here has someone who they think about during this walk,” said Jennifer Mannix, the UCSF Campus Services Arts and Events manager and co-chair of the AIDS Walk Steering Committee, who cited a colleague she lost several years ago. “Everyone here is doing this for all the right reasons.”

UCSF has been one of the top fundraising teams in AIDS Walk San Francisco since it started 26 years ago.

Photos by William Lee

Joey Convento, events coordinator at UCSF, says he looks forward to the community-building event each year.
Joey Convento, events coordinator at UCSF, says he looks forward to the community-building event each year.
A family with baby at the AIDS Walk San Francisco.
AIDS Walk San Francisco is a family-friendly event for a worthy cause.
AIDS Walk San Francisco provides dogs of all kinds with a healthy outdoor activity.
AIDS Walk San Francisco provides dogs of all kinds with a healthy outdoor activity.
The San Francisco AIDS Foundation has been a steadfast organizer of the walk since it started 26 years ago.
The San Francisco AIDS Foundation has been a steadfast organizer of the walk since it started 26 years ago.
Despite overcast weather, thousands of people from all over the San Francisco Bay Area raised more than $2.5 million in AIDS Walk San Francisco 2013.
Despite overcast weather, thousands of people from all over the San Francisco Bay Area raised more than $2.5 million in AIDS Walk San Francisco 2013.
Families and friends of UCSF often participate in the walk that raises money for programs and services to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS.
Families and friends of UCSF often participate in the walk that raises money for programs and services to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS.
Members of the UCSF AIDS Walk Team show off this year's T-shirt.
Members of the UCSF AIDS Walk Team show off this year's T-shirt.
AIDS Walk participants often bring their four-legged friends for the 10K walk in the park.
AIDS Walk participants often bring their four-legged friends for the 10K walk in the park.
UCSF volunteers show their enthusiasm at the 27th annual AIDS Walk San Francisco in Golden Gate Park.
UCSF volunteers show their enthusiasm at the 27th annual AIDS Walk San Francisco in Golden Gate Park on July 21.

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