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.
San Francisco AIDS WalkCourtesy of AIDS Walk San Francisco/Facebook
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).
Purplestride raises money for a cure for deadly pancreatic cancer.Courtesy of Pancreatic Cancer Action Network - Silicon Valley/Facebook
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
