Councilmember Michelle Mills to Co-Chair AIDS Walk Central Ohio 2014
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
March 4, 2014
For More Information:
Kristen Foley, Griffin Communications, 477-4445
Lisa Griffin, Griffin Communications, 302-2135
John Ivanic, City Council, 645-6798
Web – Facebook – Twitter
Councilmember Michelle Mills and NBC4’s Ellie Merritt Named Honorary Chairs for AIDS Walk Central Ohio 2014
(Columbus, Ohio) AIDS Resource Center Ohio named Columbus City Councilmember Michelle Mills and NBC 4 Health Reporter Ellie Merritt honorary co-chairs of the annual Dr. Robert J. Fass Memorial AIDS Walk Central Ohio 2014.
“I am so proud to serve as an honorary co-chair for the AIDSWalk this year,” shares Merritt. “We have come so far in the fight againstAIDS, but I’m stunned to know that every day another person in Central Ohio isinfected with HIV, and those most at risk are our young people. We can dosomething about it. We can help educate, protect and show our support righthere in our community, and send a message that we stand together against thisdevastating disease.”
AIDS Walk Central Ohio will be held on Saturday, April 19th, at McFerson Commons Park in downtown Columbus. Registration begins at 9 a.m. The 5k Run will kick off at 10:30 with the 5k walk and 1 mile stroll starting shortly afterward.
More than 16,000 Ohioans are currently living with HIV or are presumed infected but undiagnosed. Nearly a thousand new cases diagnosed in Ohio every year, and 1 in 5 HIV-infected people don’t know they are infected. Franklin County has led the state with the highest number of new infections in each of the past 6 years.
Councilmember Mills believes that the walk is an opportunity to educate the community about how AIDS affects everyone, not just those who are infected.
“We have the power to effect change in our city througheducation and awareness, as well as provide support for those who are alreadyimpacted by HIV and AIDS,” says Councilmember Mills. “I am proud to be a partof this effort and will continue to spread the message of awareness even afterthe conclusion of this year’s AIDS Walk.”
ARC Ohio President & CEO Bill Hardy says Mills’ and Merritt’s enthusiasm for chairing the AIDS Walk 2014 will help tremendously with raising awareness and encouraging others to take part in the walk.
“Columbus is now ranked twenty-first among U.S. cities fornew HIV infections,” shares Hardy. “AIDS Walk Central Ohio is a simple, fun andpowerful way to do something about that. Walking celebrates loved ones, andevery important dollar raised helps us prevent new infections and bring betterhealth and a brighter future to people living with HIV. Nothing could be easieror more important.”
The Dr. Robert J. Fass Memorial AIDS Walk Central Ohio stepped off for the first time over 24 years ago. The original event was a collaboration of six local HIV/AIDS agencies. The event has since grown to benefit people throughout central Ohio. AIDS Walk Central Ohio has raised community awareness of the devastation caused by this disease in central Ohio by reaching out to families, businesses, schools and civic organizations. The walk has grown to include a 5k walk/run as well as a 1-mile family stroll.
To kick off this year’s AIDS Walk, a fundraising Bar Crawl will canvas German Village and the Short North on Saturday, March 8th, from noon to 5 pm.
German Village Route
- Participating venues include: Southbend Tavern, Tremont Lounge, Club Diversity, Cavan Irish Pub and Explorer’s Club
- German Village crawl starts and ends at Southbend Tavern
- Complimentary continuous shuttle between five participating bar locations
- Check in and register at Southbend and then take the shuttle to any bar at any time
- Outlook After- Party catered by Level Dining Lounge starts at 5:30 pm at Southbend with entertainment, food and prizes.
Short North Route
- Participating Venues include: Level Dining Lounge, Short North Tavern, La Fogata Grill, Local Bar and Union Cafe
- Walking Route – Check in and register at Level Dining Lounge and then walk to any bar at any time.
- Short North crawl starts at Level Dining Lounge and ends at Union Cafe
- Outlook After-Party catered by Union Cafe starts at 5:30 pm at Union Café entertainment, food and prizes hosted by Nina West
- AIDS RESOURCE CENTER OHIO (ARC Ohio)
AIDS Resource Center Ohio (ARC Ohio) is Ohio’s premier nonprofit provider of a comprehensive and coordinated response to HIV, from prevention to diagnosis and treatment. It uses a holistic approach to address the physical, emotional and social needs of those living with HIV/AIDS in a way that brings hope, healing and empowerment. With 12 offices in 9 cities, ARC Ohio provides medical care, pharmacy and other direct services to more than 4,000 HIV-positive individuals, and testing, prevention, outreach and advocacy to tens of thousands statewide.
For more information, visit www.arcohio.org or find them on Facebook or Twitter.
For more information on AIDS Walk 2014 visit www.aidswalkcentralohio.com
-30-