For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Justin Burke - 213.201.1525
EMAIL:jburke@apla.org
OVER 300 ‘AIDS MARATHONERS’ TO HIT STREETS AT DUBLIN MARATHON
Volunteers Have Raised Over $1.3 Million for AIDS Organizations in Four U.S. Cities
Los Angeles, CA, October 25, 2005 – Among the more than 10,000 registrants in this Sunday’s Dublin Marathon will be 306 Americans who have trained for six months and raised more than $1.3 million for AIDS service organizations in four U.S. cities through the National AIDS Marathon Training Program.
The program, the twelfth since 1999, was developed by world-renowned runner and marathon trainer Jeff Galloway. A combination of running and walking, the program is geared toward experienced runners and beginners alike -- anyone with the desire to make a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS in their home city.
Proceeds from the program in Los Angeles benefit AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA), one of the oldest and largest AIDS service organizations in the U.S. Since its inception, the program has raised nearly $20 million to support APLA programs, which include direct services such as food banks and dental clinics, prevention education and government advocacy.
“We have risen at dawn, raised money in difficult financial times and spread the word that people living with or at risk of HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles rely on our community for support,” said Craig E. Thompson, the executive director of AIDS Project Los Angeles who is also an AIDS marathoner. “This program gives people a tremendous sense of accomplishment while they contribute in a major way to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles.”
Mr. Thompson, who is HIV-positive, is running his 6th AIDS marathon. He and other runners from Los Angeles will join marathoners from San Francisco whose fundraising supports the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. Also present will be approximately 80 runners from Chicago and Washington DC, who support the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and the Whitman Walker Clinic, respectively.
Information about the program is available at www.aidsmarathon.com.
AIDS Project Los Angeles, one of the largest non-profit AIDS service organizations in the United States, provides bilingual direct services, prevention education and leadership on HIV/AIDS-related policy and legislation. Founded by four friends in 1982, APLA is a community-based, volunteer-supported organization with local, national and global reach. For more information, visit www.apla.org.
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