FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Thousands of dedicated individuals from across the state helped raise $640,000 for crucial lifesaving HIV/AIDS services in South Florida on Sunday, March 20th, by joining together to participate in the Florida AIDS Walk 2011 — more than the $460,000 raised last year and exceeding this year’s goal to raise $500,000. The Walk, which started and ended at Huizenga Plaza in Ft. Lauderdale, was a 10k walk fundraiser to raise awareness about and help reverse the continuing epidemic of HIV/AIDS in South Florida. At the Opening Ceremony, lively entertainment included performances by Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida and recording artist Nicole Henry. Many participants took advantage of the free HIV testing — through two of AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s mobile testing units — that was offered at the end of the Walk. To view photos of the event, please visit: www.floridaaidswalk.org.
“On behalf of the Florida AIDS Walk family, it is with joy and gratitude that we are able to announce that the Florida AIDS Walk 2011 far surpassed our initial fundraising expectations by raising a remarkable $640,000!” said Mark Martin, Florida AIDS Walk Director. “Thanks to the support of YOU — our motivated Walkers, compassionate donors, and generous sponsors — our community has been given a much needed gift that will be used to continue our efforts in prevention education, HIV testing, and treatment for people with HIV/AIDS — all right here in Florida.”
Added Martin: “To our Walkers: Thank you for registering to Walk, creating teams, reaching out to your friends and family for donations, for attending yesterday’s big event and for standing together united on Huizenga Plaza to help fight Florida’s AIDS epidemic.”
Presented by AHF Pharmacy, Florida AIDS Walk 2011 is dedicated to raising awareness of the fact that more than 167,000 Floridians are living with HIV/AIDS, and to generating as much financial support as possible to provide the lifesaving care and services that they need. Additionally, funds raised will go toward the expansion of HIV prevention and testing efforts in Florida’s Broward and Miami Dade counties. Beneficiaries of this year’s Walk are AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Broward House, SunServe, the Pride Center at Equality Park and Women In Network. One hundred percent of the proceeds go toward fighting HIV/AIDS in Florida.
About the beneficiaries: Founded in 1987, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the largest global AIDS organization. Its mission is to provide cutting-edge medicine and advocacy, regardless of a person’s ability to pay. Broward House’s mission is to improve the lives of individuals living with or at risk for HIV and other health issues through the provision of high-quality services in a loving, caring atmosphere, regardless of the individuals’ financial status. SunServe is the first Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgender Social Service Agency in South Florida with a mission to reach out to those in need with an emphasis on the economically disadvantaged, and marginalized youth, senior adults, and people of differing abilities and life-changing health conditions in greater South Florida. The Pride Center at Equality Park’s mission is to provide a welcoming, safe space — an inclusive home that celebrates, nurtures and empowers the LGBTQ communities and our friends and neighbors in South Florida. Women In Network Women In Network (WIN) is a social and networking organization for Lesbians, offering the opportunity for women to experience a sense of friendship and community while working toward the common goals of pride, achievement and harmony.
The Grand Sponsor for Florida AIDS Walk 2011 is MDS Builders, Inc. Principal Sponsors include Cardinal Health, Edge/edgeonthenet.com, Florida Agenda, Genre Latino, HOTSpots!, LabCorp, Mark Magazine, Mark’s List/Agenda, Sidelines Sports Bar, South Florida Gay News, Sun-Sentinel, Volunteer Broward and WRMF.
About AHF
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to more than 152,000 individuals in 26 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Eastern Europe. In Florida, AIDS Healthcare Foundation serves more than 15,000 people living with HIV/AIDS through a variety of programs, including Positive Healthcare (a statewide disease management program), Positive Healthcare Managed Care, testing and prevention programs, AHF Healthcare Centers in Jacksonville, Miami and Ft. Lauderdale and eight AHF Pharmacy locations. AHF also operates three Out of the Closet Thrift Store locations in South Florida — in Wilton Manors, Miami and South Beach.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6655258&lang=en