New Yorkers Come out to Support World's Largest AIDS Fundraiser: AIDS Walk New York.

NEW YORK -- NEW YORK, May 14 /PRNewswire/ -- New Yorkers are getting their walking shoes ready for this year's AIDS Walk New York on Sunday, May 18, 2003. Now in its 18th year, AIDS Walk New York is the world's largest AIDS fundraising event. Money raised at the AIDS Walk benefits Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) and nearly fifty other AIDS organizations in the metropolitan area.

"AIDS Walk is a New York tradition," said Ana Oliveira, Executive Director of GMHC. "It is a powerful and inspiring demonstration of the commitment by the New York community to the continuing fight against HIV and AIDS. This enormous event gives voice to the fact that AIDS continues to be a public health emergency in New York and throughout much of the world."

Parker Posey ("A Mighty Wind"), John Spencer ("The West Wing"), Hal Sparks ("Queer as Folk"), Bill Brochtrup ("NYPD Blue"), Stephanie March ("Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"), singer Stephanie Mills, and the Broadway cast of "Hairspray" will be among the celebrities participating in the opening ceremony, beginning at 9:20 AM in Central Park.

The 10 kilometer AIDS Walk kicks off at 10:00 AM and winds through much of Manhattan's Upper West Side and then ends back at the Park's Naumberg Bandshell. Last year's AIDS Walk drew over 40,000 participants and raised more than $4.7 million.

 
  A few facts about AIDS and GMHC: 
   * HIV is the leading cause of death among New Yorkers between 25 and 
     44 years of age. 
   * The number of people 50 and older infected with HIV is increasing at 
   ...