Walking And Running For A Cure

Walking, and now, for the first time running for a cure.

Palm Springs hosted it’s 23rd Annual AIDS Walk at Ruth Hardy Park, and this year, a 5K run was included.

Thousands showed up to raise awareness about a cause hitting close to home for many in the desert.

More than 1,000 were walkers.

“I’m so happy to see a lot of people and everybody here,” said Jasmine Grey, a participant.

More than were 100 runners.

“I got my whole family out here to support the cause,” said Kriss Johnson, a participant. “I’m really excited.”

Mayor Steve Pougnet led the pack — he was the first one off the line.

The funds raised from the event are donated to the Desert AIDS Project — it’s a local group serving people living with HIV and AIDS.

It offers free medical care, case management and social services.

“Our HIV infection rate in our Coachella Valley is 400 percent higher than the national average,” said David Brinkman, CEO of the Desert AIDS Project. “We want to get out that message that everybody should get their test and know their status.”

Brinkman said nearly 60,000 people in the United States are infected with HIV each year.

He said the best cure is prevention.

“There’s several thousand people who live in this region California who have HIV and don’t realize it,” said Brinkman. “This year, we’ll provide nearly 2,000 free tests to help find that population and bring them into care.”

Awards are given to the top three male and female finishers in each age.

Organizers estimate more than 1,200 people participated in the event.

“I used to work at Eisenhower,” said Grey, who chose to run for people often discriminated against in society — something she hopes to change.

“It was sad,” she said. “That’s why we’re here and we support.”

“It affects family and friends,” said Johnson. “Just because you don’t have it, doesn’t mean that somebody else doesn’t have it that you know.”

Organizers hoped to raise more than $200,000 from the walk and run.