More than 30,000 walkers participated
in Sunday's AIDS Walk Los Angeles, including Partners co-stars
Michael Urie and Sophie Bush.
The 28th annual walk raised
more than $2.9 million to benefit AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) and
24 other Los Angeles County AIDS service organizations working to
stop the spread of HIV.
“The 30,000 participants who took to
the streets today can take pride in the incredible $2,912,209 raised
to fight AIDS and lift up the lives [of] those affected by HIV,”
said Craig R. Miller, founder and producer of AIDS Walk Los Angeles.
“Thanks to the thousands of dedicated people who walk and fundraise
each year, we have made tremendous progress and we are facing a
better day in the fight against AIDS. But we have to remain strong
in our response. We have to remain vigilant. And most of all we
have to remain visible.”
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
reminded the crowd that voting was just as critical as walking, in the
fight against AIDS.
“When you hear them talk about we
should cut funding for research, medical research, that will hurt the
fight against AIDS,” Villaraigosa said. “So don't think this
election doesn't matter everybody. Today we walk, next month we
vote.”
Also in attendance were The Price is
Right host Drew Carey, television host Daisy Fuentes, Glee
co-star Dot Marie Jones and The New Normal co-star Andrew
Rannells, to name a few.