Thousands Turn Out to Raise Funds, AIDS Awareness

More than 9,000 people gathered at the museum campus on Sunday, September 29 to support the second-annual AIDS Run/Walk Chicago. The event benefited the AIDS Foundation of Chicago's (AFC) grantmaking program.

Despite early morning rain showers, thousands arrived to walk or run the 5K lakefront course. And just as Chicago blues singer Lynne Jordan took the stage to start the pre-event concert, the clouds broke to reveal blue sky and sun.

State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka and Illinois State Rep. Tom Dart (D.-Chicago) officially kicked off the race along with AFC Executive Director Mark Ishaug.

Participants had the opportunity to meet their local AIDS service providers and learn more about HIV/AIDS at the event's Health Expo tent. The expo featured agency information booths and portraits from the Chicago Department of Public Health's photo-documentary exhibit entitled The Faces of AIDS.

Winners of post-event awards were: David Parkerson of Bartlett as overall 5K run winner (male) and Jennifer Anderson of Chicago as overall 5K run winner (female). "Largest Team" award honors went to Team Hewitt (corporate) and Team DePaul (non-corporate). "Most Spirited Team" honors went to Team Armani Exchange (corporate) and Hope Church (non-corporate).

The Chicago Department of Public Health and Abbott Laboratories were presenting sponsors of the 2002 AIDS Run/Walk Chicago. Chicago Special Events Management and Maximum Profile Group produced the annual fundraising event.

Mailed donations are still being accepted at:
AIDS Foundation of Chicago 411 S. Wells, Ste. 300 Chicago, IL 60607

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