| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
May 18, 2009
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Media Contacts:
Krishna Stone, GMHC, 212-367-1016
Colin Weil, MZA Events, (917) 887-7487
AIDS WALK NEW YORK RAISES $5.6 MILLION
World's Largest AIDS Fundraising Event Attracts 45,000 Participants
Results Defy Fundraising Expectations In Midst of Recession
New York, NY, May 17, 2009 — The 24th annual AIDS Walk New York (AWNY) announced massive attendance and extraordinary fundraising results for this year's event, which was held in and around Central Park.
"Today's event is among the greatest fundraising accomplishments ever in New York's fight against AIDS," said Craig R. Miller, the Founder and Producer of the event. "For forty-five thousand participants, and hundreds of thousands of their sponsors, to have raised $5,603,409 in the midst of this historically difficult recession, leaves me in awe of these GMHC supporters. It also makes an extraordinary statement about AIDS Walk New York's continued ability to inspire the community to take action." Miller added. Since its inception in 1986, AWNY has raised more than $111 million for Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) and dozens of other tri-state HIV/AIDS service organizations.
"Our community's heartfelt and relentless support of this year's AIDS Walk allows GMHC to provide the resources needed to continue to meet the increasing demand for vital prevention, care, and advocacy services," said Marjorie Hill, Ph.D, Chief Executive Officer of GMHC. "Today's powerful results show that tough times, indeed, will not break our stride," Hill added.
The Opening Ceremony featured actress and singer Hilary Duff, Carson Kressley ("How to Look Good Naked," "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy"), Brooke Smith ("Grey's Anatomy," "The Silence of the Lambs") and Michael Urie ("Ugly Betty"). In addition, CBS 2 HD Weathercasters John Elliott and Elise Finch, from AWNY's new exclusive broadcast television sponsor, CBS 2 HD, addressed the crowd. Elected officials in attendance included United States Representatives Jerrold Nadler, Charles B. Rangel and Anthony Weiner.
The crowd was energized as Broadway star Norm Lewis ("The Little Mermaid," "Les Miserables") sang "We Live on Borrowed Time" from his debut album "Here's to Life." Sarah Dash ("Labelle") performed an inspiring and emotional rendition of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "You'll Never Walk Alone," which closed the Opening Ceremony.
The event raised strong support from the corporate community through team fundraising and corporate sponsorship. This year's three Premier Sponsors include Bristol-Myers Squibb, Delta Air Lines, and Duane Reade. Grand Sponsors are Bloomberg, CBS 2 HD, The Decoration and Design Building, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Gap Inc. Principal Sponsors are Barclays Capital, Daily News, Stanley and Fiona Druckenmiller, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Zipcar.
For more information, please visit www.aidswalk.net/newyork.
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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.
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.
© 2009 Gay Men's Health Crisis |
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