Washington, D.C., AIDS Walk Draws 7,500 Participants, Reversing Decline From Last Year
The annual AIDS Walk in Washington, D.C. on Saturday drew 7,500 participants, providing "welcome relief" to its sponsor, the Whitman-Walker Clinic, after low turnout last year, the Washington Post reports. The clinic, which provides HIV/AIDS health care to 7,000 clients and HIV testing to an additional 7,000 people annually in the Washington area, has considered canceling the event because of low participation last year and decreased donations, according to Michael Cover, the clinic's associate executive director. At its peak in 1999, the walk drew 30,000 participants, but only 3,500 people participated in 2001. Cover called this year's walk "a real success," adding that although the precise amount raised will not be known for a week, the event appears to have raised enough money to cover its cost and to provide funds for clinic programs. Cover said the clinic will "reevaluate" in the coming weeks whether to continue holding the walk in the future (Cho, Washington Post, 10/6).
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