Sadly, AIDS remains the leading cause of death for all people ages 15 to 59 worldwide. While here in the United States, the number of people living with HIV keeps growing and now stands at nearly 1.2 million.

According to UNAIDS, “Every day, over 6,800 persons become infected with HIV, and over 5,700 persons die of AIDS, mostly because of inadequate access to HIV prevention and treatment services.”

Fortunately, compassionate people throughout the United States have formed organizations to provide services, reduce the human suffering and bring hope to people living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS. The National AIDS Marathon Training Program was developed by Walk-The-Talk Productions in 1998 to support the life-saving efforts of these agencies by raising funds and awareness. In the past eleven years, more than 20,000 people have successfully completed this training program and raised $80 million.

Our Los Angeles training program benefits AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA). Founded in 1982, APLA is leading the fight against HIV/AIDS and striving to improve the lives of people affected by the epidemic in the Los Angeles area. By providing prevention programs and vital services such as food and home health care, AIDS Project Los Angeles is working to stop new infections while helping to keep people with HIV/AIDS alive until the day there’s a cure. [quoted from aidsmarathon.com]

...I am 19 years old and I am running my first marathon come September 20th. The AIDS marathon is the cause and I am hoping to raise $3500 !!!