HISTORY
Twenty-five years ago, a mysterious new illness was emerging. The medical community knew virtually nothing about this disease except that it was occurring in gay men, and that once a patient displayed symptoms, he was sure to die. Alarmed by this health crisis and frustrated by the lack of response from government, a group of compassionate and capable San Franciscans founded the San Francisco AIDS Foundation (SFAF). By 1986, scientists had isolated the virus that causes AIDS and named it Human Immune-Deficiency Virus (HIV). It had also been determined that the virus was transmitted sexually or intravenously from one individual to another - man or woman, gay or straight. Shrouded in ignorance and bigotry, the federal government was still slow to respond. In 1987, the first AIDS Walk San Francisco was an extraordinary and much-needed success that also helped shatter the silence. More than 6,000 compassionate Bay Area residents raised an astounding $667,000. At a time when the nation was inattentive to the looming crisis, these courageous walkers brought their message visibly to the streets: We are here to fight AIDS! The money raised at that event, and the annual AIDS Walks that have followed, has enabled SFAF to continue its critical work and provide services to more than 100,000 men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS and their families. (A portion of the AIDS Walk proceeds also go to dozens of other important AIDS organizations within the Bay Area.) Over the years, more and more members of the Bay Area community have participated in the event. They have raised $55 million to help people with HIV and AIDS; to educate the community about HIV and prevent its spread; and to lobby the government to increase its support of HIV care, prevention, and the search for a cure. Have you been an AIDS Walk San Francisco participant since the early years of the walk? If so, we'd love to hear your story. Please contact us at (415) 615-9255 or e-mail sfinfo@aidswalk.net