Annual Los Angeles Walk Raises Funds for HIV/AIDS

Thousands of Anglenos will heel-toe it in West Hollywood for the 27th annual AIDS walk Sunday to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS.

All donations and proceeds for the annual walk at West Hollywood Park will go to AIDS Project Los Angeles.

The APLA works to improve lives of people affected by the disease, reduce the number of cases and advocate for fair and effective HIV-related public policy, according to its website.

In addition to spreading awareness and providing health services, APLA finds housing, supplies down payments and helps pay utilities costs for those families who have been severely affected by the disease.

The APLA has been helping people with AIDS and their families since 1983. Lisa Mendez, an air force veteran and single parent is one of those people.

Mendez contracted HIV from a man she was dating. He never told her he had the disease for fear that she would leave him.

Mendez lost her job when she became too sick to go to work. At a time when Mendez was out of money and her son,Hunter, was in foster care, APLA was able to provide housing for her.

She said she now hopes to be happy in life and "raise her son to be strong, smart and good."

The HIV/ AIDS disease was first discovered in the United States 30 years ago and there have been 56,091 reported AIDS cases in Los Angeles County.

The walk, sponsored by NBC4 News, will benefit APLA and 24 other HIV/AIDS programs and services in the Los Angeles area, including APLA International, residential services and treatment programs.

Those who wish to be part of this cause will walk alongside at least 30,000 other walkers and many celebrities who will come out to be part of the movement to combat this deadly disease.

As of Friday, funds raised online have reached $2,074,772. Donations can also be given at the Aids Walk Los Angeles website.

Registration is still open at the event website. Those who wish to walk will also be able to sign up the day of the event by 8:30 a.m. The 6.2 mile walk will start at 10 a.m. at the corner of Melrose Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard.