Registration is open and fundraising has begun for From All Walks of Life™, Boston’s annual AIDS Walk on June 7, 2009. The Walk draws 10,000 to 15,000 participants and is the agency’s largest annual fundraiser. David Brown, co-anchor of the top-rated EyeOpener newscast of WCVB-TV 5 (ABC), will emcee the event.

The 6.2 mile (10K) AIDS Walk and the corresponding Larry Kessler 5K run will continue its tradition of beginning and ending at The DCR Hatch Shell on Boston’s Esplanade. Registration for individuals and teams is now open at www.aidswalkboston.org.

“This year more than ever, it is imperative that we bring attention and raise money to fortify HIV prevention, services and advocacy programs,” said Rebecca Haag, executive director of AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, Inc. (AAC), who walks each year and contributes personally to every AAC employee who walks or runs. “In these difficult times, we have seen a decrease in donations and an increase in the need for services from the people we serve. We urge everyone in the Boston area to join us or donate to the thousands of walkers and runners who do.”

The AIDS Walk was one of the first walks to be introduced in Boston, as well as the country. Historically AAC’s largest fundraising event, it has raised more than $32 million for programs and services to support those living with and at risk for contracting HIV/AIDS over the years. There are approximately 20,000 individuals currently living with HIV/AIDS in the Commonwealth. It is estimated that one-quarter to one-third of them do not know that they are infected and are not in treatment. With a new infection occurring every 12 hours in Massachusetts, AIDS Action Committee uses every opportunity to remind people to get tested, know their status and to support people living with HIV/AIDS to optimize their health.

AIDS Walk Boston also welcomes back The Larry Kessler 5K Run, named in honor of AAC’s founding director. The Run is a competitive, timed event, and is fully sanctioned by the USA Track & Field Association. Awards will be presented to participants at the Hatch Shell following the Run.

The 2009 AIDS Walk will introduce new ways for people to raise funds and support the walk through social networking outlets. This will also allow someone who is unable to attend the Walk in person on June 7 to still participate by raising funds and virtually walking in support of the event.

Macy’s Foundation has signed on as Presenting Sponsor of AIDS Walk Boston 2009, leading an impressive set of corporate supporters. Additional sponsors of AIDS Walk Boston include Bruegger's Bagels, EMD Serono, Partners HealthCare, TJX Companies, WCVB-TV 5, The Boston Phoenix, Metro Boston, El Planeta and WFNX 101.7 FM. Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available.

“Remembering those we have lost and rededicating our energies to stop new infections are side-by-side themes we carry each step of the Walk,” said Haag. “While we hope for the day that the AIDS Walk is not needed, today our work is urgent because people living with HIV/AIDS have increasingly complex health needs.”

Haag also lauded David Brown for returning as the event’s emcee. “Channel 5, WCVB-TV 5 and David Brown are an invaluable representatives and long-term supporters of AAC and of AIDS Walk Boston, our single-most important fundraising event,” said Haag.

For more information about AIDS Walk Boston or AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, please contact Nicole Kanner of All Heart PR at nicole@allheartpr.com or 857-350-3434 or Paul Twitchell of AIDS Action Committee at ptwitchell@aac.org or 617-450-1215, or visit www.aidswalkboston.org.