Annual AIDS Walk Steps Off In Central Park

By: NY1 News

Thousands of people hit the streets of Manhattan Sunday to join the fight against HIV and AIDS.

The 25th annual AIDS Walk New York started in Central Park, then traveled up to Morningside Heights and back.

Throughout its history, the event has helped raise more than $110 million for regional programs.

The Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation runs the efforts, where representatives say building awareness is more important than ever.

"One in four New Yorkers does not know who is HIV positive, does not know his or her status. The rates are going up, particularly in communities of color, more and more women are impacted," said GMHC CEO Marjorie Hill.

"I think people have this stigma because we have so many drugs nowadays that it's over. And I think that the walk is here to remind people that it's not over, just because it's not as clear as it was in the 80s, visually clear, the disease is still here and people still need to know about it," said one walk participant.

Many of the participants had a loved one or someone they know suffer from the disease.

Organizers call it the largest AIDS fundraising event in the world and say last year's walk raised more than $5.5 million.

For more information, call 212-807-WALK or visit AIDSWalk.net/newyork.