1543
(1 vote, average 5.00 out of 5)
Written by Louis Weisberg, Staff writer
Sep 22, 2010
Walkers cross the finish line of AIDS Walk Wisconsin. The Sept. 19 event raised $261,094 for AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin and seven other beneficiaries. – Photo: Ellen S. Cook
Volunteers cheer on walkers along Milwaukee’s lakefront. – Photo: Ellen S. Cook
Nearly 2,000 walkers raised $261,094 for the fight against AIDS on Sept. 19, all while enjoying a scenic three-mile stroll along Lake Michigan that began and ended at the Summerfest grounds. Their route was punctuated with rain showers, cheerleaders, frequent snacks and even a performance by belly dancers.
But AIDS Walk Wisconsin got underway on a somber note as the widow and mother of longtime AIDS activist Michael Johnson recalled his fight against the disease for participants huddled under hoods and umbrellas. Johnson, of Milton, died July 1 at age 48.
Johnson and his wife Sherie Johnson discovered they were HIV-positive in 1991. Since then, they devoted their lives to raising awareness of AIDS and lobbying for funding. It’s estimated that Michael Johnson spoke to over a million young people around the country about HIV prevention.
“It’s a bittersweet day for me,” Sherie Johnson told the crowd. “Today, for the first time, I stand here without (Michael) by my side. But with the love and support of my family and friends, I do not stand alone.”
“Walk today with a purpose, remembering my son and all the people you hold dear in your heart … and never give up on miracles,” said Martha Johnson, who recounted being called several times to her son’s deathbed only to watch him recover.
Despite the emotion and enthusiasm that dominated the event, this year’s walk yielded significantly less than the $362,278 generated by last year, when Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon served as honorary chair.
But the lower return also reflects growing apathy toward HIV/AIDS, particularly within the gay community and among younger people. Despite a 23-percent increase in new HIV infections in Wisconsin over the past two years, observers say participation in AIDS-related events is declining in the state.
This summer’s ACT AIDS Ride, which benefits AIDS Network of Madison, brought in $250,000 compared with $300,000 generated by the 2009 ride.
In addition to the money raised by walkers seeking individual contributions through their personal and professional networks, ARCW’s “Raising the Bar” fundraiser brought in $16,200 for AIDS Walk. PJs Oshkosh raised the most money of the bars participating in the program, ringing up a total of $12,427 including a $5,000 matching grant from the Johnson Pabst LGBT Humanitarian Fund.
The second highest earner for the fundraiser was Ballgame, which raised $1,750.
