A week ago, 60-something Upstate employees and family members braved scattered rainstorms to take part in the annual AIDs Walk/Run at Beaver Lake Nature Center in Baldwinsville. The well-attended event was festive, with tents, balloons and music; free snacks; massages and group zumba; a best t-shirt competition; and gold crowns for all team captains.

The atmosphere quieted right before the start of the walk/run,  when a moment of silence was held to remember those who are affected by HIV/AIDs. The paths of the walk/run were covered with lawn signs bearing the names of people who‘ve died of AIDs.

The AIDs Walk/Run  raised $187,000 for AIDS Community Resources, whose mission is education, outreach, and prevention of HIV/AIDs.

Upstate University Hospital is the Designated AIDS Center (DAC) for patients from 17 counties. Ray Joss and Edgar Johnson were co-captains for Team Upstate. Other Upstate participants included the DAC's Dave Paar MD and Judith Rees and UHCC's Thelma Jack, who walked in memory of her nephew.

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