Walking for a cause

Poets support AIDS Walk

By: Colleen Mundy

Posted: 10/22/09

For 25 years, AIDS Walk Los Angeles has honored people lost to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and spread hope for a future without AIDS. This past Sunday, Oct. 18, 13 Whittier College students participated in the 25th annual AIDS Walk in West Hollywood with more than 30,000 other people walking for a cure.

AIDS Walk benefits AIDS Project Los Angles (APLA), which is dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by AIDS, reducing the spread of AIDS, and campaigning for a just and efficient AIDS-related public policy.

Gatorade, water, yogurt and other snacks were already being offered to walkers at check-in early Sunday morning, providing a hospitable atmosphere. At the opening ceremonies, celebrity appearances included Mary Louise Parker ("Weeds"), Aaron Carter ("Dancing With The Stars"), George Takei (Star Trek), Teri Hatcher and Felicity Huffman ("Desperate Housewives") and La Toya Jackson. Many of these celebrities gave speeches supporting the search for a cure for AIDS and thanking all of the participants for their contributions in the AIDS Walk.

Other appearances and speeches came from Jeffery Katzenberg of DreamWorks, a long time supporter of APLA, Jeffrey S. Crowley, director of the Office of National AIDS Policy, and Antonio Villaraigosa, the mayor of Los Angeles.
After opening ceremonies, the crowd of AIDS walkers began the 6.2 mile loop around West Hollywood from Melrose Avenue to La Brea Avenue and back down Beverly Boulevard to San Vicente Boulevard.

The Departments of Transportation for the City of Los Angeles and the City of West Hollywood instituted street closures around the walk route from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. in order to ensure the safety of the walkers. In addition, the Los Angeles Police Department also had officers stationed along the route to help with the road closures.

On the side of the road, outside of police established road blocks, for the safety of the walkers and all involved participants, there were protestors expressing their opinions on homosexuality, religion and the spread of AIDS, which walkers either ignored or responded to with their own opinions on the matter.

At three locations along the course of the walk, checkpoints were stationed with snacks and drinks for the walkers to keep them hydrated and energized. There were also volunteers along the entire route cheering and encouraging the walkers.
At the end of the 6.2 miles, walkers were greeted with exclamations of congratulations and thanks from volunteers passing out AIDS Walk Certificates of Completion.

"It was a wonderful community feeling you wouldn't be able to get anywhere else. Queens and Kings of all kinds [were] everywhere!" junior Donielle Kalachi said.

The AIDS Walk was sponsored by Macy's, Target, and The Hilton Family, as well as several other supporters. As shown by the immense participation in this event, AIDS Walk can be expected to continue spreading hope for a cure for AIDS for years to come.