Celebrate Community at AIDS Walk LA, October 12

APLA Health is proud to announce the return of AIDS Walk Los Angeles on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at 10 a.m. starting from West Hollywood Park. This year’s theme, “Community Is the Cure,” invites Angelenos to come together for a day of solidarity, awareness, entertainment, and fundraising in support of critical HIV/AIDS services throughout Los Angeles County. For more information, to register, or to donate, visit AIDSWALK.LA.

Walk day begins with festivities in West Hollywood Park, featuring a live performance from RuPaul's Drag Race star Heidi N Closet, remarks from celebrities and elected officials, community booths, and more. Following the morning’s celebration, walkers will step off from the park and make their way through the streets of West Hollywood.

“This event began as a response to crisis, and it continues to matter deeply today,” said Craig E. Thompson, CEO of APLA Health. “We’ve come so far in the fight against HIV, but that progress cannot be taken for granted. At a time when funding and programs are at risk, AIDS Walk Los Angeles is our chance to stand together and reaffirm our commitment to ending the epidemic.”

Since its inception forty years ago, when Los Angeles hosted the first-ever AIDS Walk to raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS epidemic, AIDS Walk Los Angeles has evolved into one of the largest and most impactful HIV/AIDS fundraising events in the world. What began as a grassroots movement has since united thousands of community members, advocates, and supporters, raising nearly $100 million over the years to combat HIV/AIDS. Proceeds from the walk directly fund APLA Health’s wide-ranging services, including HIV care, sexual health services, food and nutrition support, housing assistance, and more. Today, APLA Health serves more than 22,000 clients annually across eight locations throughout Los Angeles County. In 2024, AIDS Walk Los Angeles raised $1.16 million to support these vital programs and services.

As the fight against HIV/AIDS continues, AIDS Walk Los Angeles underscores both the groundbreaking progress made and the urgent challenges that remain, especially in the face of ongoing funding cuts. Advancements like PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), and long-acting injectable prevention options have revolutionized HIV prevention. For those living with HIV, modern treatments can reduce viral loads to undetectable levels, effectively eliminating the risk of transmission. While not a cure, these developments have transformed HIV from a fatal diagnosis into a manageable, preventable condition. Yet, stark disparities persist, with many communities still facing significant barriers to accessing care. That’s why APLA Health plays such a vital role, providing inclusive, high-quality healthcare in medically underserved communities and working to ensure that progress in HIV prevention and treatment reaches everyone, not just a few.

This year’s walk wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our corporate sponsors, including Premier Sponsors L.A. Care Health Plan and Paul Hastings; Grand Sponsors ABC7 Los Angeles, Gilead, Paramount Pictures, and ViiV Healthcare; Principal Sponsors Anthem Blue Cross, City of West Hollywood, Latham & Watkins, and SCAN Health Plan; Major Sponsors Albertsons Vons Pavilions, Anderson Pharmacy, Oaktree Capital Management, The Solana Foundation, and Starbucks; Supporting Sponsors The Abbey Food & Bar, City National Bank, and Walgreens; and Event Sponsors Amgen, Apollo Global Management, The Dietz Agency, DoorDash, Eddie’s Pharmacy, Enterprise Mobility, Jeni’s Ice Creams, Keck Medicine of USC, Klawiter Group, KPMG, L’Oréal Groupe, Nuvem, Phoenix Construction & Management, Quest Diagnostics, Room & Board, and The Wonderful Company.

For more information on AIDS Walk Los Angeles and how to register, please visit https://AIDSWALK.LA.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact APLA Health Director of Development Ken Mintzer at kmintzer@aplahealth.org.