Every disease, disability or deplorable condition has a walk and/or run for its respective cause.  Not a week goes by that I don’t have an evite in my inbox to donate to or participate in a walk.

For the last seven years, I’ve volunteered at AIDS Walk KC.  You’ll note I said volunteered … instead of participated.  One year I saw a request to help “cheer on the walkers” and thought … that would be right up my alley.  So I grabbed some of my co-workers to co-cheerlead with me.  Together we would clap and high-five participants on the route.

This year I decided to traipse along with the rest of the crowd (and to help my favorite charity of choice SAVE, Inc. along the way.)

Every year AIDS Walk KC gets bigger and bigger, raising upwards of $500,000+ for Kansas City’s four local AIDS Service Foundation organizations.  Each of them specialize in a certain area to collectively target the needs of the AIDS community.

The thing I like about AIDS Walk is that it’s like old home week … truly.   Friends I’ve known for years that I don’t see that often are out in full force.  And they have rounded up many of their closest confidants to join in the walk.  The groups are all very charismatic and passionate.  Many tears and laughs are shared on that day.

Over the past couple years, AIDS Walk has grown by leaps and bounds.  If I’m not mistaken, this was their biggest turnout yet.  And it’s likely due to the social media effect.  A majority of people raised funds and promoted the event via Facebook and posted pictures via Twitter.  The social media effect has also introduced a new crop of the oh-so coveted 20-somethings to the event.  Today’s 20-somethings are tomorrow’s pioneers in the on-going fight against the disease.

Standing around and relentlessly cheering for 90 minutes can take a lot out of a person.  For once I was actually glad to put on my sneakers and hoof it.  And for such a good cause too!