Duane Reade Donates Half Million Dollars to AIDS Walk New York Benefiting GMHC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Krishna Stone | 212.367.1016

New York, NY — On Tuesday, July 5, Joseph Magnacca, President of Duane Reade, presented Marjorie Hill, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of GMHC with a check for $500,000 at the opening of the newest flagship store at 40 Wall Street.  The gift marks the largest corporate sponsorship gift in the history of AIDS Walk New York benefiting GMHC.

For a second year, Duane Reade was the Presenting Sponsor for the 26th annual AIDS Walk New York.  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 May 15.  The red-ribbon pinups also helped to raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS epidemic.  The Duane Reade Foundation and the Duane Reade in-store pinup sales program raised $460,000 this year, setting a new fundraising record.   Yet Duane Reade's outstanding generosity did not stop there.   When their flagship store officially opened at 40 Wall Street, Duane Reade contributed an additional $40,000 ("40 for 40"), bringing the total of the gift to $500,000.

"As we look back on 30 years of a devastating epidemic, I'm proud to have Duane Reade as our incredible leading partner, raising urgently needed funds, and committing to a future without HIV and AIDS," said Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of GMHC.  "Infections among youths, minorities, 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.  But today, Duane Reade has shown us they are ready to confront head-on the challenges of this disease-and win."

"This year, Duane Reade returned as the Presenting Sponsor for AIDS Walk New Work and once again showed its deep commitment to supporting GMHC's vital work," said Craig R. Miller, Founder and Producer of the event.  "The remarkable gift of $500,000 marks a historic contribution by an exceedingly compassionate organization, and will help thousands of New Yorkers living with, and at risk for, HIV/AIDS."

On May 15, AIDS Walk New York drew a massive crowd of 45,000 participants to Central Park.  The event began with a star-studded Opening Ceremony followed by a 10-kilometer walk, and raised an impressive sum  for GMHC and 41 other vital AIDS service organizations in the tri-state area.  Record-breaking corporate sponsorship, most notably Duane Reade, bolstered the event's fundraising results, as did the large turnout of individual walkers, who together raised multi-millions of dollars to combat the epidemic.

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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 men, women and families that are living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS in New York City.  We advocate for scientific, evidence-based public health solutions for hundreds of thousands worldwide.