MILWAUKEE, WI – The AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW) is announcing that ‘NSYNC star Lance Bass and husband Michael Turchin will be the Honorary Chairs of the 26th annual AIDS Walk Wisconsin & 5K Run.

“It is special to find a young couple who wants their marriage to serve a broader purpose right from the beginning,” said ARCW President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Gifford. “We are proud to have Lance and Michael serve as our honorary chairs and are excited for their help with our AIDS Walk fund raising campaign. We look forward to celebrating a successful AIDS Walk and 5K Run.”

Bass is a singer, actor and a producer for film and television who perhaps is best known as a member of the hit group ‘NSYNC. In 2006 Bass revealed that he was gay in a cover story for People Magazine and later that year received the Visibility Award from the Human Rights Campaign. In 2007 he released his autobiography, Out of Sync, which chronicles his youth, his rise to celebrity status, his relationships and his struggle to keep his sexual identity private. He has performed on Broadway and was featured in the 7th season of Dancing with the Stars, finishing in 3rd place.

Turchin is an aspiring actor, pop art portrait artist and model. He and Bass married on December 20, 2014 and they allowed their wedding to be aired on cable television, allowing gay youth to see a gay wedding take place and know that it could be possible for them as well.

“Michael and I are honored to serve as Honorary Chairs of AIDS Walk Wisconsin and 5K Run,” said Bass. “It’s exciting for us to be involved with the fight against AIDS in a state where fund raising is producing amazing results in HIV health care.”

To help raise pledges for AIDS Walk Wisconsin, the Honorary Chairs will participate in a fund raising event the night before the Walk.

“We are eager to meet the people who support AIDS Walk Wisconsin and we look forward to spending time with people who care about the things we care about. We are going to have a great time” said Turchin.
Over the past 26 years, more than 123,000 registrants have participated in AIDS Walk Wisconsin and raised more than $11.9 million. One hundred percent of the pledges raised from AIDS Walk Wisconsin have stayed in Wisconsin to benefit people living with HIV in the state.

“Today, people with HIV live longer in Wisconsin than almost anywhere in the United States,” said Mr. Gifford. “HIV is a complex and expensive disease and if we want to continue to see these results we have to register, raise pledges and turn out for events like AIDS Walk Wisconsin on October 3.”

For the 26th annual event a new website will optimize the user experience, making it easier to register and donate, and is now mobile phone compatible. AIDS Walk Wisconsin will take place on Saturday, October 3rd at the Summerfest Grounds in Milwaukee.

“Don’t wait. Register for the Walk and Run today at www.aidswalkwis.org and we will see you in October,” said Bass.

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Past Honorary Chairs of AIDS Walk Wisconsin
TV Fashion Guru Tim Gunn, 2014
Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism Stephanie Klett, 2013 Milwaukee Brewer and National League MVP Ryan Braun, 2012 Green Bay Packer Linebacker and World Champion Clay Matthews, 2011 Indie Rock Sensation Bon Iver, 2009
BD Wong, 2006
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett & Kris Barrett, 2005
Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle & First Lady Jessica Doyle, 2003
Bill Brochtrup, 2002
Eric Benet, 2001
Six-Time Olympic Champion Jackie Joyner-Kersee, 2000
Danny Glover, 1999
Chastity Bono, 1998
Four-Time Olympic Champion Greg Louganis, 1997
Bette Midler, 1996
Vice President Al Gore & Tipper Gore, 1995
Darryl Hamilton, 1994
Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Milwaukee Bucks Coach Mike Dunleavy, 1993 Milwaukee Brewer & Baseball Hall of Famer Paul and Linda Molitor, 1992
Bud and Sue Selig of the Milwaukee Brewers, 1991 Milwaukee Mayor John O. Norquist and Susan Mudd, 1990
About the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin
The AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin is home to the ARCW Medical Center – Wisconsin’s largest and fastest growing HIV health care system. Through its integrated medical, dental and mental health clinics along with its pharmacy and dedicated social services that include food pantries, a legal program, housing support and social work case management, 3,000 HIV patients in Wisconsin gain the health care and social services they need for long-term survival with HIV disease from ARCW.

ARCW is also a leading provider of HIV prevention programs that help make sure people at highest risk for contracting HIV have access to the information and materials they need to remain HIV-negative.