Despite the heat, thousands turn out for 31st annual AIDS Walk
Sunnie Rose, right, participates in the 31st annual AIDS Walk. Rose is executive director and co-founder of the Life Group LA, an AIDS service organization that produces weekend seminars for people affected by AIDS.
Thousands of Angelenos braved the heat Sunday to participate in the 31st annual AIDS Walk in Los Angeles.
The 6.2-mile walk began at 10 a.m. at West Hollywood Park, with the route continuing along Santa Monica Boulevard and through the Fairfax district. More than 20,000 people registered to participate, organizers said.
The annual event benefits AIDS Project Los Angeles and dozens of other AIDS organizations that offer services, education and other assistance to the tens of thousands of people living with AIDS in Los Angeles.
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Among those expected to attend the opening ceremonies were L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, West Hollywood Mayor Pro Tem Lauren Meister and actor and “The Price is Right’’ host Drew Carey.
There were no reports of heat-related injuries. Temperatures early Sunday were running in the high 80s and low 90s throughout the region as a heat wave continued to grip Southern California.
Sunday’s event was expected to raise more than $2 million. Over the past three decades, AIDS Walk has raised more than $79 million to combat HIV and AIDS, organizers said.
In 1984, the first year the event took place, 4,500 people took part, raising $673,000. Last year, walkers brought in $2.9 million. AIDS Walk expects to raise about the same amount of money this year, organizers said.
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