Aids Walk Raises $3,905,723.00 And Counting!

This year’s Aids Walk Los Angeles held in West Hollywood on Sunday, October 21 was an unprecedented success, with over 30,000 participants raising a record total of $3,905,723.00. Of this amount, total online donations were $2,153,599.00. The grand total is subject to upward revision, as the deadline for donations and to turn in cash for incentive rewards to be credited to team totals is November 14, 2007.

Check with the Aids Walk Los Angeles website for information as to when to register for next year’s event, how to make a donation, search job and internship opportunities, or volunteer.

Amazing job, all! Everyone involved should be very proud!

Aids Walk Los Angeles – Sunday, October 21

Once again, this coming Sunday, October 21, West Hollywood will host the Aids Walk Los Angeles. The AIDS Walk begins and ends in West Hollywood Park at San Vicente Boulevard, between Melrose Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard, and follows a 10 kilometer (6.2 mile) course that takes roughly 2-3 hours to complete.

The Sign-In Area opens at 8:30 a.m. At 9:15 a.m., the Aerobic Warm-up begins, followed by the Opening Ceremony at 9:30 a.m. The actual Walk begins at 10:00 a.m.

The money raised by AIDS Walk Los Angeles supports the services provided by the AIDS Project Los Angeles in addition to other benefiting organizations representing the entire spectrum of HIV/AIDS services. Walkers should enter the venue at the intersection of San Vicente Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard to turn in their funds.

Entertainment for the event will be provided by Anika Noni Rose, who played Lorell in Dreamgirls and is a Tony® Award Winner for the Broadway musical, Caroline, or Change. Also featured will be Jenifer Lewis, from TV’s Strong Medicine and the hit CW series Girlfriends .

Other notables scheduled to attend will be Michelle Bonilla, from the NBC series ER; Andrea Bowen, from ABC’s Desperate Housewives; Kelly Carlson, from the popular FX series Nip/Tuck; Michelle Clunie, from  Showtime’s groundbreaking series Queer As Folk; Wilson Cruz, from Noah’s Arc, Rick and Steve (animated series) & currently filming He’s Just Not That Into You; Faith Ford, from the hit shows Murphy Brown, Hope & Faith; and new ABC series, Car Poolers; Thea Gill from Showtime’s groundbreaking series Queer As Folk and here! TV’s Dante’s Cove; Scott Grimes, from the NBC series ER; TR Knight, from the hit ABC drama, Grey’s Anatomy; Holly Madison, from the hit E! reality series The Girls Next Door; Ana Ortiz, “Betty’s” sister Hilda on ABC’s Ugly Betty; Sara Ramirez, from the hit ABC drama, Grey’s Anatomy; and Kirsten Vangsness, from the CBS drama Criminal Minds.

Special mention to these celebrities who are walking and need additional sponsors: Kimberly McCullough from ABC’s General Hospital and SOAPnet’s General Hospital: Night Shift; Jai Rodriguez, the “Culture Vulture” from Bravo’s Queer Eye for the Straight Guy; Darryl Stephens, the titular character on the hit LOGO series, Noah’s Arc; and Jason Thompson from ABC’s General Hospital and SOAPnet’s General Hospital: Night Shift.

As of the time I am writing this article, Thursday morning, October 18, 2007, 1:22AM, the total online donations are $1,639,597 and counting!

Please be aware that San Vicente Blvd will be closed for the event at Santa Monica Blvd. Check the City of West Hollywood website for parking information.

This is definitely a good cause, and a great way to spend an October Sunday. There is still time to sign up to walk at the Aids Project Los Angeles website. If you don’t plan to walk, please bring some friends, make a donation or sponsor a walker or team, and enjoy the festivities.