Photograph of AIDS Walk participants on Riverside Drive near 100th Street by Ed Yourdon on Flickr
An estimated 45,000 people walked in the 23rd annual AIDS Walk New York today and raised a record total of over $7 million. Per NY1, "it is the most money ever raised by an AIDS walk in the United States." AIDS Walk founder and producer Craig R. Miller noted how in spite of the faltering economy, people donated, "New Yorkers stated loudly and clearly that the critical work of Gay Men's Health Crisis and more than the 50 other HIV/AIDS service organizations must be supported if we are to see an end to the domestic AIDS crisis."
Representative Anthony Weiner participated in the walk and said, "There's starting to be signs that all of the lessons that were learned, some of the messages that were sent and some of the services we've provided, are all starting to slip when it comes to the younger people coming along now." He was referring to new studies showing the rate of HIV among city high schools has increased 40% between 2004 and 2006.
According to AIDS Walk NY officials, the event has broken the $100 million mark in raising funds for HIV/AIDS prevention and care in NYC and the tri-state area since the first walk in 1987. And the AIDS Walk fundraising model has raised over $300 million across the country.
