"At the first AIDS Walk New York, thousands of visionary men and women, some of whom are still working with us today, came together as a community to change the course of the epidemic," said Craig R. Miller, AIDS Walk New York Founder and Senior Organizer. "Through this effort, we have done just that, and the end of AIDS is now within our grasp. Today's incredible turnout and fundraising result of $5,504,281 tells me the AIDS Walk New York community of today is as committed as ever to supporting GMHC and to giving rise to a generation free from HIV." "While AIDS fundraising continues to face challenges, and deep cuts due to the federal sequester threaten HIV/AIDS programs here in New York and across the country, GMHC continues to work hard to fill those gaps, and doing so with the essential support of everyone who participates in AIDS Walk New York" said Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of GMHC. GMHC's own AIDS Walk team made up of staff, volunteers, and other supporters, was itself a powerhouse fundraiser, raising an impressive total of more than $180,000. "I'm touched and overwhelmed to see our staff and volunteers, who already give so much of themselves, going that extra mile for our life-sustaining programs and services," noted Dr. Hill. Notable AIDS Walk Opening Ceremony participants included Nick Adams, Laura Benanti (Go On), Mondo Guerra (Project Runway), Megan Hilty, (Smash), Jack Mackenroth (Project Runway), Bebe Neuwirth (Tony and Emmy Winner), Alex Newell (Glee), WCBS-TV anchors Dana Tyler and Lonnie Quinn, and Michael Urie (Buyer & Cellar, Ugly Betty). Elected officials in attendance included State Senators Brad Hoylman and Gustavo Rivera; New York State Assemblymembers Daniel O'Donnell, Richard Gottfried, Brian Kavanagh, Ron Kim and Dave Weprin; New York City Council Members Gale Brewer, Inez Dickens, Robert Jackson, Letitia James, Jessica Lappin and Jumaane Williams; and Johanne Morne and Humberto Cruz, representing the Governor's office. Legendary R&B singer and Grammy Nominee Martha Wash closed the Opening Ceremony with her performance of "You'll Never Walk Alone." The AIDS Walk Post-Walk Concert featured Curtis Bailey and The Clinic and Leon and the Peoples. For the fourth year, Presenting Sponsor Duane Reade sold special $1 paper red-ribbon pinups in its more than 250 New York metropolitan area stores beginning April 15 through today. The Duane Reade in-store pinup sales program has raised more than $1 million since its inception in 2010. Premier Sponsors included Bristol-Myers Squibb and Delta Air Lines, which is also the official airline of GMHC. Grand Sponsors included Bloomberg, CBS2, Gap Inc., and the Keith Haring Foundation. Principal Sponsors were Armani Exchange, Barclays, and The Village Voice. For more information, please visit aidswalk.net/newyork. |
About Gay Men's Health Crisis GMHC is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to leading the fight against AIDS on a national platform. We provide prevention and care services to men, women and families that are living with, or affected by HIV/AIDS in New York City. We also advocate scientific, evidence-based public health solutions for hundreds of thousands worldwide. Our mission: GMHC fights to end the AIDS epidemic and uplifts the lives of all affected. For more information, visit www.gmhc.org. About AIDS Walk New York Since 1986, AIDS Walk New York has raised more than $128 million for HIV programs and services in the tri-state area, and has grown into the largest AIDS fundraising event in the world. In 2012 alone, 45,000 participants, many of whom were members of more than 3,000 corporate and community teams, raised over $5.8 million for GMHC and 40 other tri-state area AIDS service organizations. For more information, please visit aidswalk.net/newyork. About MZA Events AIDS Walk New York was founded in 1986 by Craig R. Miller and his organization of activists, MZA Events. Miller is the AIDS Walk originator and has produced hundreds of public service campaigns and fundraising events, generating more than $368 million for major AIDS organizations throughout the country. For more information, please visit mzaevents.com. ### For advertising and promotion on HealthNewsDigest.com, call or email Mike McCurdy at: 877-634-9180 or [email protected] are syndicated worldwide and have over 7,000 journalists as subscribers who may use our content for their own media. |