Annual California event raises money for AIDS research

Despite the rainy weather and cloudy skies, approximately 30,000 people participated in the AIDS Walk Los Angeles. During the West Hollywood event, an estimated $2.9 million was raised to help support AIDS research and improve patient assistance programs, according to the LA Independent.

Since its inception in 1985, the walk has raised approximately $66 million for AIDS Projects Los Angeles (APLA), a nonprofit organization that helps improve the quality of life for those with the sexually transmitted disease (STD), the APLA website reports.

Several of this year's walkers have participated since the first walk in 1986, and during the inaugural event, a total of 4,000 marchers were involved.

Craig R. Miller, founder and producer of the event, told the news source that "we are deeply grateful to our 30,000 participants for raising [nearly $2.9 million] for L.A. County's fight against AIDS." He added that "over 26 years, we have never lost sight of our prime objective - to create an event unparalleled in its ability to inspire tens of thousands to take action."

In 2008, approximately 1.1 million people in the U.S. were diagnosed with AIDS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.