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AIDS WALK LOS ANGELES RAISES $3.2 MILLION
Southern California’s Largest AIDS Fundraiser Attracts Over 30,000 Participants;
Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
Howard L. Berman (D-28) and Host of Celebrities Address Crowd.

Los Angeles, Calif., October 19, 2008 – The 24th annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles (AWLA) set attendance records today and defied fundraising expectations in the midst of a troubled economy.

AIDS Walk founder and producer Craig R. Miller announced that “more than 30,000 walkers and volunteers helped to raise $3.158 million” for AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) and other AIDS service organizations throughout Los Angeles County. Since 1985, AWLA has raised more than $63 million for HIV programs and services throughout Los Angeles County and has grown into one of the largest AIDS fundraising events in the country.

“Despite the economic downturn, today’s attendance and total raised demonstrate that the Los Angeles community remains committed to raising funds to help those struggling with HIV/AIDS and to prevent new infections” said Miller. “The people of Los Angeles, including Congressman Howard L. Berman and leading members of the entertainment community made a loud and clear statement that there is much to be done in confronting AIDS here at home and that we remain determined to make progress every day,” he added.

Rachel Griffiths (“Brothers & Sisters”) greeted a record-breaking crowd at the event’s main stage and introduced West Hollywood Mayor Jeffrey Prang, who delivered welcoming remarks. Congressman Berman, who was joined by fellow member of Congress and ally in the AIDS fight Maxine Waters, discussed the current crisis and lauded lead beneficiary APLA’s work to fight the expanding epidemic in Los Angeles.

The crowd was energized by the cast of “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” who performed “The Day After That.” John Schneider (“Chicago,” “Smallville,” “Dukes of Hazzard”) offered a powerful and moving rendition of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” which closed the opening ceremony.

Other celebrity hosts included Linda Cardellini (“ER”), Tony® Winner Alan Cumming (“Cabaret,” “X2: X-Men United”), Loretta Devine (“Eli Stone,” “Grey’s Anatomy”), Kimberly McCullough (“General Hospital,” “General Hospital: Night Shift”), Brooke Smith (“Grey's Anatomy”) and Jason Thompson (“General Hospital,” “General Hospital: Night Shift”). Other elected officials in attendance included Congresswoman Maxine Waters.

“Our programs and services now face unprecedented demand,” said Craig E. Thompson, executive director of APLA. “Each dollar raised through AIDS Walk allows us to do more to care for people living with HIV/AIDS and to prevent new infections.”

The event receives significant support from the corporate community through team fundraising and corporate sponsorship. This year’s Presenting Sponsor is The Hilton Family of Hotels. Grand Sponsors are The David Geffen Foundation, Anthem Blue Cross of California, Marilyn & Jeffrey Katzenberg, NBC4/Telemundo52, Nordstrom, Paramount Studios, Pacific Design Center and Wachovia. Principal Sponsors are Latham & Watkins LLP, Macy’s, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and Target.

AIDS Walk Los Angeles: AIDS Walk Los Angeles has become a Southern California institution, bringing together thousands of participant fundraisers and volunteers, hundreds of corporate, community, and friends and family teams, and hundreds of thousands of donors from across California and the country. The event benefits AIDS Project Los Angeles and other AIDS service organizations in Los Angeles County. For more information, visit aidswalk.net.

AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA): APLA, one of the largest non-profit AIDS service organizations in the United States, provides bilingual direct services, prevention education and leadership on HIV/AIDS-related policy and legislation. Marking 25 years of service in 2008, APLA is a community-based, volunteer-supported organization with local, national and global reach. For more information, visit apla.org. In addition to APLA, the AIDS Walk benefits other Los Angeles area AIDS service organizations through the Community Coalition Initiative (CCI).

MZA Events: AIDS Walk Los Angeles was founded in 1985 by Craig R. Miller and his organization of activists, MZA Events. Miller is the originator of the AIDS Walk fundraising model and has raised more than $300 million for leading AIDS charities nationwide. For more information, visit mzaevents.com.

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