May 18, 2009 7:45 am US/Eastern
45,000 Join CBS 2, GMHC For AIDS Walk New York
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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CBS 2 HD announced Feb. 27, 2009, that it had become the exclusive broadcast media partner for AIDS Walk New York, to be held May 17, 2009. It is the largest AIDS Walk in the United States.
AIDS Walk New York
CBS 2 was a proud sponsor of Sunday's 24th Annual AIDS Walk New York.
More than 45,000 participants put their best foot forward to raise money to fight the deadly disease, which has claimed the lives of more than 25 million people worldwide.
Sunday morning, thousands cheered while walking 6.5 miles through Central Park to help fight AIDS. Many walked with heavy hearts, filled with the memories of those who lost their lives to the disease.
"We're here, moving on, keeping her memory alive," Minerva Velazquez, whose sister died of AIDS, said. "She has two granddaughters and two grandsons."
Craig Miller founded AIDS Walk over 20 years ago.
"The event is much needed, as any time in the epidemic," Miller said.
The first year of the walk, back in 1986, 4,500 people raised just over $700,000. Last year, 45,000 people raised $7 million. This year's goal was to raise even more money.
WCBS-TV helped sponsor the event, which raises money for the Gay Men's Health Crisis and 50 other AIDS programs.
On hand to kick the event off were CBS 2's own Elise Finch, John Elliot, and General Manager Peter Dunn.
"You being here, all of us being here, proves that a recession definitely cannot diminish compassion," Finch said.
"We need tools to help people with this disease," Elliot said. "We need tools to keep people from getting this disease, and that's why [you should] congratulate yourself for being here this morning!"
For many, one walk isn't enough – they come back every year to fight the disease that has killed so many loved ones.
"It's such a waste, such a waste," walker Ann Gael said. "I want to do everything I can to get rid of it."
AIDS Walk New York is the largest fundraising event in the world.
This year's walk raised more than $5.6 million. Since 1986, AIDS Walk New York has raised more than $111 million.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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