AIDS Walk Wisconsin & 5K Run 2019 Raises $361,900

MILWAUKEE—(October 5, 2019)—Thousands of participants and supporters from across Wisconsin walked, ran and volunteered today at the Summerfest grounds for the 30th Annual AIDS Walk Wisconsin and 5K Run. All came together to raise $361,900 to support HIV prevention, care, and treatment programs throughout the state. AIDS Walk Wisconsin recognized individual walkers and runners, and also awarded three unique team competitions that challenged groups to raise funds for services offered at the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW) HIV Medical Home.

The winner of the Raising the Bar Challenge is Taylor’s Milwaukee bar, raising $5,965. The Raising the Bar Challenge is a friendly competition among bars and nightclubs across the state.

This year’s Employee Resource Group Challenge winner is the team from Northwestern Mutual whose fundraising total was $6,541. The challenge is designed for LGBTQ professionals and their allies in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The top fundraising team overall is The ARCW Staff, Family, and Friends team, raising $29,579.

The top individual fundraiser this year is Michael Bersch from Lake Havasu, AZ who raised $8,182. Bersch is a Wisconsin native who has participated in this event for 14 years.

The Ryan Braun Challenge raised a total of $65,455. Milwaukee Brewers Left Fielder #8 Ryan Braun and the Brewers Community Foundation matched gifts raised in the last eight days leading up to the AIDS Walk Wisconsin & 5K Run.

“Thank you to everyone for raising critically-needed funds to support HIV prevention, care, and treatment programs for people living with and at risk for HIV in Wisconsin,” said Michael Gifford, President & CEO of the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin. “Your incredible commitment to this cause is helping change the conversation about HIV, and I am honored that you showed up today to celebrate 30 years of progress in Wisconsin’s response to HIV.”

Winners of the 5K run were Tim Boeder (men) at 22:43, and Sarah Langford (women) at 21:09.

This year’s corporate sponsors included Presenting Sponsor MillerLite; Premier Sponsor the Brewers Community Foundation; Principal Sponsor ARCW Pharmacy; Major Sponsors Quest Diagnostics and EY; Champion Sponsors Direct Supply, Gilead and Green Bay Packers; and, In-Kind Sponsors Bell Ambulance and Culligan.

Over the past 30 years of AIDS Walk Wisconsin & 5K Run, more than 128,000 registrants have come from all over the state to participate. AIDS Walk Wisconsin & 5K Run has collectively raised more than $13.5 million that directly benefits individuals in our state who are impacted by HIV. Funds raised will support prevention, care and treatment services offered at the ARCW HIV Medical Home, and are critical in ensuring everyone with or at risk for HIV has access to high-quality health care, regardless of their ability to pay.

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