Lowcountry AIDS Services (LAS) and the Roper St. Francis Ryan White Wellness Center (RWWC) are inviting the community to run, walk, and jog for HIV and AIDS awareness. The two organizations have again partnered to host the 9th Red Ribbon 5K & AIDS Walk on Saturday, September 16th at Wannamaker County Park in North Charleston.
The event includes a timed 5K race and a free AIDS Walk. The race begins at 10 am followed by a family friendly health and wellness fair, games, and music by DJ Trevor D and acoustic duo Oh Valentino.
Registration is $30 per person and includes a race T-shirt (it’s $35 if you register the morning of the event). Team discounts and team fundraising opportunities are available. Register for the 1-mile AIDS Walk is free, but if you raise $30 or more, you’ll receive an event T-shirt. Top finishers and winners in designated age groups will receive a medal. Click here for registration info.
Both of the aforementioned organizations will split the event proceeds, which will be used to help the more than 2,500 people living with HIV and AIDS here in the tri-county area gain access to medical care and live healthier, more sustainable lives.
The Deep South, including the state of South Carolina, continues to be an area of concern as it leads the country in the number of new HIV infections each year. In 2014, the Deep South region continued to have the highest HIV diagnosis rate and numbers and the highest HIV-related death rate of any U.S. region, according to the latest report from the Southern HIV/AIDS Strategy Initiative.
South Carolina ranks 13th in the nation for its high prevalence of AIDS cases, and Charleston/North Charleston ranks 19th among national metropolitan areas.
For information and to register, visit www.redribbonlowcountry.org.
