AIDS: 45,000 walkers raise $6.2 million at New York AIDS Walk

The 26th annual AIDS Walk New York (AWNY) drew a massive crowd of 45,000 participants to Central Park May 15. The event began with a star-studded opening ceremony followed by a 10-kilometer walk, and raised funds for GMHC and 41 other AIDS service organizations in the tri-state area. Record-breaking corporate sponsorship bolstered the event’s fundraising results, as did the large turnout of individual walkers, who together raised multi-millions of dollars to combat the epidemic.

“As we look back on 30 years of this devastating epidemic, I’m proud to see so many people walking with us, raising urgently needed funds, and committing to a future without HIV and AIDS,” said Marjorie J. Hill, Ph.D., CEO of GMHC. “Infections among youth, African Americans, Latinos, women and gay men are on the rise; an aging population living with HIV will soon be facing new obstacles to their health and well-being. Yet today, I witnessed a community ready to confront head-on the challenges of this disease—and win.”

Celebrities made a strong showing at this year’s event. Notable AIDS Walk supporters included Matt Bomer (White Collar); Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family); Wilson Cruz (My So-Called Life); Conchata Ferrell (Two and a Half Men); Mondo Guerra and Jack Mackenroth (Project Runway); Laura Innes (The Event); Dot-Marie Jones (Glee); Nyambi Nyambi (Mike and Molly); Lee Pace (The Normal Heart); Mike Ruiz (The A-List); and CBS-2 news anchors Mary Calvi, Don Dahler, Maurice DuBois, Rob Morrison, Dana Tyler and weathercaster Elise Finch.

The cast of Broadway’s Priscilla, Queen of the Desert performed “We Believe” from the new hit show. Four-time Tony winner, two-time Grammy winner and television star Audra McDonald (Private Practice) closed the opening ceremony with her performance of “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

The AIDS Walk Post-Walk Concert, hosted by the Red Hot Organization, featured Superhuman Happiness, Mister Saturday Night, cast of Tearing Down the Walls and Curtis Baily and The Clinic. – From a press release