16 October 2011

AIDS Walk Kicks Off in West Hollywood

AIDS Walk Kicks Off in West Hollywood

Nearly 30,000 participants put on their walking shoes and headed to West Hollywood for the 27th annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles to raise funds for AIDS Project Los Angeles.

Warm skies greeted the participants as they began the 10 kilometer route that starts and ends at West Hollywood Park.

More: AIDS Walk Route

Last year's walk raised more than $2.8 million for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and advocacy programs, according to Gabriel McGowan, AIDS Project Los Angeles' director of communications. The funds help as many as 10,000 AIDS patients locally.

Since its inception, the walk has raised more than $69 million to fight the disease in Los Angeles County, McGowan said.

The walk, sponsored in part by NBC4 News, is the largest single "source of funding each year'' for AIDS Project Los Angeles, which provides bilingual direct services for people with AIDS and prevention education, said Craig E. Thompson, the organization's executive director.

"There are more people living with HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles than at any other time in history -- 63,000 Angelenos -- but we face an unprecedented era of government austerity. That's why private giving through events like AIDS Walk Los Angeles is more critical than ever.'' 

As of Sunday, funds raised online have reached $2,319,064. Donations can also be given at the Aids Walk Los Angeles website.

 

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