APLA Health Celebrates 40th Anniversary of AIDS Walk Los Angeles on October 13, 2024

The Bold Theme, “We’re Not Walking Back,” Signals 40 Years of Substantial Progress in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS and Commitment to the Work That Remains to Be Done

APLA Health (formerly AIDS Project Los Angeles), the leading nonprofit organization providing LGBTQ+ healthcare, HIV specialty care, and other essential support services, proudly announces the 40th anniversary of AIDS Walk Los Angeles. This historic event, a cornerstone in raising awareness and funds for HIV/AIDS services, will be held on Sunday, October 13, starting at West Hollywood Park with the powerful theme "We're Not Walking Back." The event will feature a day of activities including the signature walk, live entertainment, and inspiring speeches. Registration for participants is now open here.

“Our 40th AIDS Walk Los Angeles is not only a testament to the unwavering dedication of our community but also a powerful statement of our collective resolve,” says APLA Health’s CEO, Craig E. Thompson. “As we embrace this year’s theme, we reaffirm our commitment to eradicating HIV/AIDS and to continuing the vital work that has impacted so many lives over the past four decades.”

In 1985, Los Angeles came together for the first-ever AIDS walk to raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Since then, AIDS Walk Los Angeles has grown from a grassroots effort into one of the largest and most influential HIV/AIDS fundraising events in the world. Over the past four decades, the walk has united thousands of community members, advocates, and supporters and has raised nearly $100 million to combat HIV/AIDS.

Funds raised from AIDS Walk Los Angeles directly support APLA Health’s comprehensive services, including LGBTQ+ empowering healthcare, HIV specialty care, sexual health services, food, housing, and other essential support services. The organization now serves over 19,000 clients per year at eight locations across L.A. County.

As they celebrate the 40th anniversary of AIDS Walk Los Angeles, it's important to reflect on both the significant progress made and the challenges that remain in the fight against HIV/AIDS. In recent years, there have been groundbreaking advancements in HIV prevention and treatment, including the availability of PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), and innovative options like injectable PrEP—these have transformed the approach to preventing HIV. With modern treatments, people with HIV can achieve undetectable viral loads, effectively eliminating the risk of transmission. While this is not a cure, the shift from HIV/AIDS being a death sentence to it being a manageable and preventable condition marks a monumental change from the early days of the epidemic.

Nevertheless, disparities persist, especially among communities of color, who often encounter significant barriers to accessing these crucial medications. To truly end HIV transmission, it is essential to address these inequalities and ensure that every community has equal access to the advancements in HIV prevention and care. That’s why APLA Health is dedicated to expanding clinics and working in medically underserved areas, striving to make progress equitable for all.

For more information on AIDS Walk Los Angeles and how to get involved, please visit aidswalk.la.

For photos from previous AIDS Walk Los Angeles events, please click HERE.
Photo credit: Used with permission, courtesy of Craig Miller, MZA Events archives.