BOSTON -- AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, Inc. (AAC) unleashed its full-court promotion machine for "From All Walks of Life," Boston's annual 10K AIDS Walk on June 1, in its 23rd year.

The Walk draws 10,000 to 15,000 thousand participants and is the agency's largest annual fund-raiser. David Brown, co-anchor of the top-rated EyeOpener newscast of WCVB-TV, will emcee the event that begins and ends at The Hatch Shell on Boston's Esplanade.

"More than 11,000 people in Massachusetts have died from HIV or AIDS through 2006, and the walk each year lets us remember our lost loved ones while raising money to fortify HIV prevention, services and advocacy programs," said Rebecca Haag, Executive Director, AAC, who walks each year and contributes personally to every AAC employee who walks or runs. "We urge everyone in the commonwealth to join us or donate to the thousands of walkers and runners who do."

"In Massachusetts, we still experience two to three new HIV infections every day, and 25 percent, one in four, of people living with HIV/AIDS don't know their status. We use every opportunity to remind people to get tested, know their status and to support people living with HIV/AIDS to optimize their health," Haag said.

AIDS Walk Boston also returns three popular elements: the Larry Kessler 5K Run, named for AAC’s founder, the Wellness Festival, which occurs on-site after the Walk, and the Virtual AIDS Walk, allowing people who can’t be there on June 1 to raise funds and walk remotely.

"We are thrilled that Macy’s Foundation is the Walk’s Presenting Sponsor -- returning again as our largest sponsor ever -- and that Monster has increased its contribution to become Principal Sponsor," said Haag. "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. While we hope for the day that the AIDS Walk and Run are not needed, today our work is urgent because people living with HIV/AIDS have increasingly complex health needs."

Haag said that a recent AAC survey of clients receiving AIDS services across Massachusetts shows that the maturing epidemic is creating a broader scope of needed services, including housing, nutrition, substance abuse recovery, medical complications and increased hospitalizations and support around previous incarceration. She presented the survey’s findings to the Massachusetts Public Health Council in February.

Macy’s Foundation as Presenting Sponsor of AIDS Walk Boston 2008 leads an impressive set of sponsors. Monster is the Walk’s Principal Sponsor, stepping up its support level over that of 2007. Additional sponsors of AIDS Walk Boston include EMD Serono, MBTA, Whole Foods Market, Partners HealthCare, TJX Companies, WCVB-TV 5, The Boston Phoenix, Metro Boston, El Planeta and WFNX 101.7. Haag also lauded David Brown for returning as the event’s emcee.

"David is a cherished mainstay and tireless supporter of AAC and of AIDS Walk Boston, our single-most important and fruitful annual fund-raiser," said Haag.

For more AIDS Walk Boston information, click walk or call 617-424-9255.