In true New York Big Apple fashion, overcast skies and rain could not stop over 45,000 individuals from walking 10k and raising over $6.2 million in funds that will go to a host of organizations that support AIDS awareness, prevention and assistance. This past weekend marked the 26th annual AIDS Walk New York (AWNY). Premier Sponsors included Bristol-Myers Squibb and Delta Air Lines.

Craig R. Miller, Founder and Producer of the event recapped:

“This year, New Yorkers once again united to rally and raise funds to support GMHC’s lifesaving work. Today’s extraordinary total of $6,214,768 demonstrates that our participants and donors are laser-focused on doing the hard work it will take to end AIDS through enormous generosity, heartfelt compassion, and unwavering solidarity.”

Since 1986, AIDS Walk New York has raised more than $116 million for HIV programs and services in the tri-state area, and has grown into the largest AIDS fundraising event in the world. In 2010 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 50 other tri-state area AIDS service organizations.

One of the prominent teammates of the walk and beneficiaries was the GMHC. GMHC is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported, and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. They provide prevention and care services to men, women, and families that are living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS in New York City. In addition, the GMHC advocates for scientific, evidence-based public health solutions for hundreds of thousands worldwide.

Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of GMHC stated in a post event release:

“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. 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 wellbeing. Yet today, I witnessed a community ready to confront head-on the challenges of this disease and win.”

Grand Sponsors included Bloomberg, CBS 2, and Gap Inc. Principal Sponsors were Barclays Capital, Stanley and Fiona Druckenmiller, Empire BlueCross BlueShield, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, and The Village Voice.

The presenting sponsor was New York drugstore chain Duane Reade. As part of its sponsorship, Duane Reade sold special $1 paper red-ribbon pinups in its 255 New York metropolitan area stores beginning April 3 through the weekend. The Duane Reade Foundation and the Duane Reade in-store pinup sales program have raised more than $400,000 for this year’s AWNY, setting a new single fundraising record.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that over 1 million adults and adolescents are living with HIV in the USA, including those not yet diagnosed, and those who have already progressed to AIDS. At the end of 2008, an estimated 682,668 people were living with a diagnosis of HIV infection in the 40 states and 5 U.S. dependent areas with confidential name-based reporting.

Sources: GMHC and The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Written by Sy Kraft