AIDS Walk raises $711,000 at UCI

With the help of 10,000 participants, AIDS Walk Orange County raised

about $711,000 for HIV/AIDS prevention and support services at UC Irvine

on Sunday.

Themed “Hope Ahead,” the event marked the third consecutive year that

it raised more than $700,000.

“Despite the current economic climate, we were able to raise an

incredible amount of money,” said co-chair Pearl Jemison-Smith.

All proceeds from the event go to eight different Orange County

agencies that provide direct client care and help to decrease the spread

of HIV.

Founded in 1987, AIDS Walk Orange County has raised more than $8

Million for agencies that provide food, housing, medical and dental

services, transportation, benefits counseling, home care, legal services,

mental health services, HIV testing, counseling, support groups and

programs for prevention and education.