Newark AIDS Walk 2012

North Jersey Community Research Initiative (NJCRI) announced Newark will host and be the beneficiary of the New Jersey AIDS Walk 2012. On Sunday, May 6, 2012, NJCRI will welcome HIV/AIDS advocates, community based organizations, supporters, and those currently living with HIV/AIDS from across the region for a 5K walk in historic Branch Brook Park. According to the New Jersey Department of Health, New Jersey ranks fifth in the nation for new HIV infection cases with 37% of those cases in Essex County - with the majority of the cases in the city of Newark.

Walks will take place in Asbury Park, Atlantic City, Morristown, New Brunswick, Newark, Pennsauken, and Ridgewood. Walks in all seven cities are open to all and registration is free. A unified step-off in all cities will be at 1p.m.

"For over 25 years we've provided free and confidential medical services, counseling and testing, outreach, gay and lesbian youth support, and a host of other services to those in greater Newark and Essex County who are living with HIV/AIDS or who are deemed high risk for contracting the virus," explained Brian McGovern, Executive Director of NJCRI. "The New Jersey AIDS Walk helps us spread the message that AIDS is still infecting and affecting thousands of people in our area."

Local and regional corporations and non-profit organizations are encouraged to participate in the New Jersey AIDS Walk. HIV/AIDS service organizations that participate in the walk may do so as secondary beneficiaries, making those organizations eligible to keep a portion of the money they raise.

Visit www.njcri.org for more information on becoming a sponsor or to register to walk individually or as part of a team.