In San Francisco each year, a number of foundations organize walks to build awareness and raise funds for eradicating diseases including cancer, AIDS, and diabetes. Charity walks, which have been around since the 1970s, are one of the most popular and effective ways to build support for serious illness. It's easier than ever to honor of a friend or loved one touched by a debilitating disease by getting involved in a charity walk this summer. Check out these eight upcoming San Francisco walks and how to get involved below.

How to get involved

There are two ways to walk: Join an established local or national team, or start your own. Register either as a participant or Team Captain at your cause's event website (links below).

Next, spread the word. The best way to get others involved is to get personal—share your experience with the disease and explain why raising money can make a difference. A heartfelt email to those in your address book can go a long way in the beginning, but providing updates on things like how your team is shaping up, how much money you've raised for the cause, and plans for event day via social media will provide the momentum some friends need to commit to joining the walk.

Those you inspire to get involved can donate to your team, join your team on the walk, or both. New team members will hopefully be motivated to reach out to their social circles, as well, for new recruits and donations. Some organizations offer small gifts like t-shirts and water bottles for hitting donation goals.

On the day of the walk, join your fellow health warriors at the venue. Be sure to show up early and bring water. Charity walks are family friendly and most allow dogs (be sure to check your specific event for rules).

Upcoming walks

Walk to Cure Arthritis- May 20

Length: 1 mile or 3 miles

Start point: Lake Merced

Arthritis affects more than 50 million people in the United States and is the #1 cause of disability. Walk to help the Arthritis Foundation's search for a cure. // walktocurearthritis.org

Purplestride SF - June 18

Length: 5k

Start point: Justin Herman Plaza

Pancreatic cancer is the third most deadly cancer, killing more Americans each year than breast cancer. Purplestride SF's goal is to raise $250,000 to help find a cure. // pancan.org

AIDS Walk - July 17

Length: 10k

Start point: Golden Gate Park

Last year's walk raised over $2 million to fight HIV/AIDS. The money raised in 2017 will go to support dozens of Bay Area organizations including Project Open Hand and the Positive Resource Center. // sf.aidswalk.net

Walk to End Alzheimers - September 10

Length: 1 mile or 3 miles

Start point: Crissy Field

In its 25th year, the Alzheimer's Association continues to work toward eradicating Alzheimer's Disease, the sixth leading cause of death in the United States affecting more than 5 million people. // act.alz.org

Bay Area Heart Walk - September 15

Length: 1 mile or 5k

Start point: Justin Herman Plaza

The American Heart Association is dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke through research and public health policy. This walk season the organization hopes to raise $4 million for the cause. // heart.org

Liver Life Walk - September 16

Length: TBD

Start point: Golden Gate Park Music Concourse

The American Liver Foundation advocates for the prevention, treatment, and cure of more than 100 different liver diseases affecting millions of Americans each year. // liverlifewalk.org

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure - September 24

Length: 1 mile or 5k

Start point: Ferry Plaza

With the help of the Susan G. Komen Foundation's races, breast cancer mortality rates have decreased almost 40 percent in the last 25 years. Help them continue to improve the odds of breast cancer survival and discover a cure. // komensf.org

JDRF Walk for Type 1 Diabetes - October 22

Length: 3 miles

Start point: Fort Mason

Help build funding for research into a Type 1 Diabetes, a disease diagnosed in 40,000 children and adults each year. // jdrf.org