World
New York Kicks-off World's Largest AIDS Fundraiser
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May 11, 2009 - 6:37:36 PM

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - New York, NY, -- This Sunday, May 17, 45,000 New Yorkers are expected to hit the streets for the 24th annual AIDS Walk New York, benefiting Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) and more than 50 local AIDS service organizations. The event, now the world's largest HIV/AIDS fundraiser, will this year break the $100 million mark in funds raised for HIV/AIDS prevention and care in New York City and the tri-state area since its inception in 1986. This year, despite the challenging economic times, the event has surpassed expectations and raised record-breaking corporate sponsorship dollars.

EVENT SCHEDULE: AIDS Walk is on -- RAIN OR SHINE!

8:30 a.m. MEDIA CHECK-IN:

Please enter the park at Central Park West at West 67th Street. The media check-in table will be just across from Tavern on the Green. Satellite vans and trucks must enter the park at West 67th Street, and can be parked near media check-in. You must call in advance to make any arrangements for parking or live feeds.

9:00 a.m. AIDS WALK OPENING CEREMONY (at stage):

Special Guests who will speak at the Opening Ceremony include (as of 5/11): Hilary Duff, Actress and Singer; Dr. Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, CEO of Gay Men's Health Crisis; Craig R. Miller, Founder/Producer of AIDSWalk New York. Executives from AWNY's Premier Sponsors Bristol-Myers Squibb, Delta Air Lines, and Duane Reade are also expected to address the crowd.

Special musical performances by: Sarah Dash (LaBelle) will perform Rodgers & Hammerstein's, "You'll Never Walk Alone."

Political Officials Expected to Attend Include: NYC Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum; NYC Comptroller William Thompson;Human Resources Commissioner Robert Doar; Deputy Commissioner Matthew Brune; First Deputy Commissioner Patricia Smith; Assemblyman Herman Farrell Jr.; Councilman John Liu; Councilwoman Annabel Palma; and Councilwoman Darlene Mealy.

Best availability for photos and interviews backstage immediately following Opening Ceremony

Best Aerial overhead shot: 10:15-10:45am over West side of Central Park adjacent to W. 67th Street

10 a.m. Walkers step out onto route, through Central Park and the Upper West Side.

12 p.m. POST-WALK CONCERT (at stage): Musical performances from Gold Streets and Leon and the Peoples.

3 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENT OF FUNDRAISING TOTAL (at stage).

Walk registration information: For information about participating in or making a contribution to AIDS Walk New York, please call 212-807-WALK (9255) or visit www.aidswalk.net/newyork.

About Gay Men's Health Crisis: Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. We provide prevention and care services to more than 15,000 men, women and families that are living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS in New York City, and advocate for scientific, evidence-based public health solutions for hundreds of thousands worldwide. Our Mission: GMHC fights to end the AIDS epidemic and uplift the lives of all affected. For more information, please visit www.gmhc.org.

About AIDS Walk New York: Since 1986, AIDS Walk New York has raised more than $100 million for HIV programs and services in the tri-state area, and has grown into the largest AIDS fundraising event in the entire world. In 2008 alone, 45,000 participants, many of whom were members of 2,400 corporate and community teams, raised a record sum of more than $7.3 million for Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) and 50 other tri-state area AIDS service organizations. For more information, please visit, www.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 originator of the AIDS Walk fundraising model and has raised more than $350 million for leading AIDS charities nationwide. For more information, please visit www.mzaevents.com.

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