For the last several years, SF State has been one of the only Bay Area universities without representation in the annual AIDS Walk San Francisco. But this year, new financial aid counselor Oscar Gardea is changing that and putting together an SF State team with a fundraising goal of $2,500.

Gardea, who lost two uncles to AIDS, came to SF State in September and said he was surprised to find out that SF State has not participated in AIDS Walk for several years, so he decided to put together a team to represent the campus. Gardea coordinated an AIDS Walk team for the last five years at the Upward Bound program he previously worked for.

“This is my way of giving back,” Gardea said. “It is a good and fun way of doing something good."

The walk, which begins and ends in Golden Gate Park’s Sharon Meadows, is 6.2 miles and takes place on July 17. Last year’s 25,000 walkers raised over $3.25 million for 38 different Bay Area AIDS service organizations.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are more people living with AIDS in the United States than ever before. There are currently an estimated 900,000 people living with HIV in the United States, with approximately 40,000 new HIV infections occurring every year.

With statistics such as these, Gardea said he hopes people will join the team in "making a meaningful difference in the lives of people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS."

He has set a team goal of 50 members and $2,500. The team, which currently consists of 10 members, began their fundraising two weeks ago and have, so far, raised $450. Each team member is responsible for setting and making their own fundraising goal.

“People tend to give easily in the smaller $5 to $10 range,” Gardea said.

“This is such an important event and an important cause. I set a personal goal to raise $500, (and) so far I have raised $233,” said SF State Director of Financial Aid Barbara Hubler. “If Oscar says we can do it, then we can do it, especially if we can get people involved and to donate.”

Senior psychology major Rosio Gallo was inspired to join the AIDS Walk team because she said she feels a responsibility to help others in any way possible. Gallo has set her fundraising goal at $300 and has turned to her family, friends and co-workers to help her meet that goal, she said.

"I think it's important to participate in the AIDS Walk because it's a way in which we can create a consciousness that people are getting together to help,” Gallo said. “Even though it might sound corny, by helping a little here and there we can make a difference.”

Although it is an SF State-affiliated team, anyone is eligible to join the team and make the walk. Gardea has gone about recruiting team members by putting up boards around campus with all of the registration and donation information and said he hopes people will want to join the team to walk for a good cause.

“We will walk in memory of those we have lost and keep in step with others committed to a future without AIDS,” Gardea said.