Despite gray skies and intermittent drizzle, a vibrant crowd of hundreds gathered over the weekend at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park to participate in the annual AIDS Walk San Francisco.
The event aimed to rally community support and highlight the ongoing struggle against the HIV/AIDS epidemic, raising funds for local nonprofits dedicated to providing essential services.
Amidst the cool summer morning, teams competed to outdo each other in fundraising efforts for 18 beneficiaries throughout the Bay Area. Participants engaged in their fundraising efforts by reaching out to their communities and local businesses for sponsorships to complete the 5K walk.
As the participants enjoyed a complimentary pancake breakfast, California State Senator Scott Wiener shared poignant remarks during the opening ceremony. Reflecting on his coming out as a gay man in 1987, Wiener recalled the terror of the AIDS crisis and how the then-President Ronald Reagan’s administration failed to provide support for the LGBTQ community.
“Since then, we have learned how to effectively treat and prevent HIV/AIDS, but we now face new hurdles under President Donald Trump,” he stated.
Wiener emphasized that, while significant progress has been made in combating the public health disaster caused by HIV/AIDS, the current government appears indifferent to the health needs of the community.
“We know how to keep people living with HIV healthy, and we can end HIV transmission. But now we have to confront a government that restricts access to essential healthcare services,” Wiener added.
Recent legislation under H.R. 1, colloquially referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill, has resulted in funding cuts from the Trump administration. These cuts include a substantial $1 billion reduction from the Centers for Disease Control, which plays a critical role in HIV/AIDS prevention.
Moreover, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, which has been integral in combating the disease since its inception in 1990, is also facing cuts that could severely hamper its operational effectiveness.
In the fiscal year 2024-2025, the program had been granted approximately $2.6 billion, making it one of the largest public health initiatives in the country. However, the 2025-2026 fiscal year budget proposes significant eliminations—a projected $74 million in educational and training programs for HIV, $274 million aimed at supporting mothers and children living with HIV, and $532 million meant for housing assistance for people affected by AIDS.
Event director Bert Champagne highlighted the vital role of AIDS Walk San Francisco in funding local community organizations. Champagne noted that these funds help not only with direct HIV services but also support other critical operations that assist individuals in their daily lives.
“Unrestricted funds are crucial for smaller organizations since often it’s about helping someone with basic needs—like covering a veterinary visit for their emotional support animal or providing legal advice for completing a will because they received sobering news about their health,” Champagne explained.
Among the organizations benefiting from the walk was the Rafiki Coalition for Health and Wellness, which focuses on assisting Black and African American residents in San Francisco.
Rafiki CEO Shanell Williams expressed concern over the recent funding cuts, stating that the reductions to programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, and public health services disproportionately affect the communities they serve.
“Historically, Black and African American communities bear the brunt of such cuts due to systemic racism embedded in our society,” Williams stated.
The coalition is strategizing to diversify its resources to maintain its role as a crucial safety net within the community.
Other organizations, such as the Rainbow Community Center in Concord and Ward 86, the HIV/AIDS clinic at the University of California, San Francisco, also expressed apprehension about the implications of federal funding cuts on their budgeting and service delivery.
For participant Jen Dowd-Kim, the walk serves as a heartfelt tribute to her late friend and colleague, Red Mangio, who was a passionate advocate for the cause until his passing due to AIDS complications in 2006.
“Red’s end of life was not how it was supposed to be, and I truly hope that others do not have to face the same fate,” Dowd-Kim remarked.
She emphasized the importance of the work done by nonprofits, hoping that their efforts can help ensure that no one has to experience loneliness during challenging times.
Dowd-Kim expressed a strong desire for fundraisers like the AIDS Walk to continue fostering community connection while raising awareness about the need to protect the progress made in combating the HIV epidemic.
image source from：piedmontexedra
