Rain or shine, it has been the AIDS Walk LA theme for over 25 years, and this year there was no exception because it was raining during the open ceremony and the walk. The pouring rain did not stop 30 thousand participants from being part of the 26th Annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles to support and raise money for AIDS Project Los Angeles and other AIDS non profit organizations in the LA County.

"Despite the challenging economy, our dedicated walkers took powerful steps to support the most vulnerable among us: people living with HIV/AIDS who also face poverty, hunger, homelessness, and a range of other serious challenges," said Craig R. Miller, founder and producer of the event. He added "We are deeply grateful to our 30,000 participants for raising $2,878,711 for L.A. County's fight against AIDS. Our efforts to fundraise for this vital work too often confront complacency among some members of the public who have turned their attention away from the HIV epidemic here in the United States."   

AIDS Walk Los Angeles was held on October 17, 2010 in the West Hollywood Park from 9:00 am until about 3:00 pm. The AIDS Walk LA is 10K (6.2 mile). Last year AIDS Walk LA raised a total of: $3,146,206.00  

"In the wake of the recent state budget cuts to HIV/AIDS funding made just days ago by Governor Schwarzenegger, the money raised at AIDS Walk Los Angeles is more important than ever as a source of vital support for programs and services that work to save lives, prevent infections, and end AIDS," said Craig E. Thompson, Executive Director of AIDS Project Los Angeles.  

The walk route started from North San Vicente Boulevard, then turned right on Santa Monica Boulevard, right on La Cienega Boulevard, left on Melrose Avenue,  right on La Brea and finally right on Beverly Boulevard to end at Melrose Avenue & San Vicente Boulevard.  

"Until no one living with HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles goes hungry; until homophobia and stigma are erased; and until AIDS is over, APLA will continue to fight. While the state's capacity to battle this epidemic has been severely curtailed, we are proud to have the tens of thousands of AIDS Walk Los Angeles participants as our powerful allies as we achieve these goals." Mr. Thompson concluded.  

The AIDS Walk Los Angeles Opening Ceremony featured Jeffrey Katzenberg, DreamWorks Animation SKG CEO, member of the APLA Board of Trustees, and AWLA Grand Sponsor, who spoke on behalf of APLA. In addition, United States Representative Henry A. Waxman, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman spoke about the current HIV/AIDS crisis in Los Angeles and West Hollywood and about the importance of the community's response.  

Other elected officials in attendance included: United States Representatives Howard Berman, Lucille Roybal-Allard, and Diane E. Watson; California State Senator Fran Pavley; California State Assemblymembers Mike Feuer and Anthony Portantino; Los Angeles County Supervisors Mark Ridley-Thomas and Zev Yaroslavsky; Los Angeles City Councilmembers Paul Koretz, Paul Krekorian, Tom LaBonge, Jan Perry; West Hollywood City Councilmembers John Duran, Lindsey Horvath, Abbe Land, and Jeffrey Prang; and West Hollywood Sherriff's Captain Kelley Fraser.  

Celebrities that attended the event included Michelle Bonilla ("ER"), Megan Boone ("Law & Order: Los Angeles"), Drew Carey ("The Price Is Right"), Rodney Chester ("Noah's Arc"), Barrett Foa ("NCIS: Los Angeles"), Joshua Gomez ("Chuck"), Bob Harper ("The Biggest Loser"), Sam Jaeger ("Parenthood"), Mike Manning ("The Real World: DC"), Ana Ortiz ("Ugly Betty"), Pauley Perrette ("NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigation Service"), Sara Ramirez ("Grey's Anatomy"), Kyle Richards ("The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills"), Hal Sparks (Actor and Comedian), Jessica Sutta (Pussycat Doll), and Michael Urie ("Ugly Betty").  

The Musical performances were given by Andrea McArdle ("Annie"),who performed Stephen Sondheim's "Everybody Says Don't," and LaKisha Jones ("American Idol"), who closed the Opening Ceremony with her performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein's song "You'll Never Walk Alone."

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