25th AIDS Walk Orange County to be Held at Disneyland Resort

Walk route to travel through Disneyland park, Disney California Adventure park and Downtown Disney

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AIDS Services Foundation Orange County (ASF) today announced that the Disneyland Resort will serve as the venue for the 25th anniversary of AIDS Walk Orange County on Sunday, May 1.  

An estimated 10,000 walkers, supporters and volunteers will enjoy a scenic route through Disneyland park, Disney California Adventure park and Downtown Disney. The event is scheduled to begin at 7:00 a.m.

"We are thrilled to provide our walkers such a unique location for this milestone anniversary," said Philip Yaeger, executive director and CEO of AIDS Services Foundation Orange County, which organizes the event. "Over the last 25 years, the walk has enabled us to raise awareness about preventing HIV/AIDS and annually raises about $500,000 in donations to help provide for people affected by HIV/AIDS in Orange County. We hope to exceed that amount this year and continue our fight against this disease."

The Disneyland Resort has been a corporate sponsor of AIDS Walk OC since 2000.  That support has included Disney VoluntEARS who have participated as walkers and provided volunteer assistance.

This year's route will be used to help educate participants about preventing HIV/AIDS. Various signs on the path will carry specific prevention messages.

"Many of our participants will be young people.  The walk allows us to share prevention information for a population that is among the most at-risk for contracting the virus," says Yaeger.

First held in 1986 at Mason Park in Irvine, the walk has taken place in various locations and raised $13.5 million in donations to help provide services for people affected by HIV/AIDS in Orange County.  The donations are shared among several nonprofit agencies that provide services to people impacted by the disease.

This year, the following agencies will benefit from event proceeds: AEGIS; The Center Orange County; Mercy House; Orange County Cornerstone Outreach; Public Law Center; Shanti Orange County; Straight Talk Clinic, Inc.; University of California, Irvine, Health Education Department; and AIDS Services Foundation Orange County.

ASF is a nonprofit organization founded in 1985.  Annually, the agency assists more than 1,600 men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS.  Among the services ASF provides are food, transportation, housing, emergency financial assistance, mental health counseling, HIV testing, and HIV prevention and education programs.  To learn more about ASF go to www.ocasf.org.  For more information about AIDS Walk visit www.aidswalkorangecounty.org.

SOURCE AIDS Services Foundation Orange County