AIDS Walk team raises funds for patient care in annual trek

by Laura Casamento news editor

For the fourth consecutive year, Cabrini's Campus Ministry sent a team to the Philadelphia AIDS walk in the hope of raising funds for organizations dealing with direct care of people infected with the AIDS virus.

The Cabrini team, which was made up of 32 people, participated in the walk, which began at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, and wrapped up about three hours later.

Team members utilized a variety of ways to complete the 8.4 mile course, ranging from power-walking to rollerblading.

Members were also able to use a tandem bicycle that had been donated to the team for the day by Metropolis Bicycles of Manayunk, according to Campus Minister Dr. Mary Laver, a first-year AIDS Walk participant.

"The bike was a huge motivator for us to complete the course," Laver said. "It also gave us a nice break from getting blisters."

Campus Ministry sponsors a team in the walk to remain consistent with Cabrini's mission statement, Laver said.

"Cabrini's mission is to be of service to the community," she said. "We wanted to be part of this worthy cause, since it is a major community-wide event to raise awareness for the needs of people with AIDS."

Participants from Cabrini noted that there were a variety of diversions along the 2 1/2-hour-long course, which began and finished at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, to keep the walkers focused.

"There were bands along the way to keep you upbeat," junior Aimee Sirois said. "About halfway through, they had people cheering for you to keep you psyched. They also had companies sponsoring water breaks and CBS was there handing out candy." Hot dogs and other foods were handed out to participants after the walk. However, according to junior Toni Pirrone, the group was ready to head back to campus by the time the walk was over.

"The line was really long," for the food, she said. "Mary [Laver] and [Campus Minister] John [DiMucci] had hoagies waiting for us back at the Mansion, and we were ready for them."

The actual amount of money raised by the team is still being calculated and will not be known until the end of November.

"We've still been getting checks from people following up on their pledges," Laver said.

According to Susan Higginbotham, executive director of the AIDS Fund, over $900,000 had been raised as of Tuesday, Oct. 19 by more than 25,000 participants.

Overall, the participants are happy with their contributions to the AIDS Fund.

"It's just nice to help out," Sirois said. "We represented Cabrini as a group in something that helps others."

Laver agreed.

"We showed that we're great at community service and at power walking," she said. "And no one fell off the bike."