Supporters March Through Palm Springs For Annual AIDS Walk

Members of the Desert Winds Freedom Band seranaded walkers with the song “Y.M.C.A.” as they strolled down Palm Canyon Dr. for the annual AIDS Walk on Saturday.

“This is a piece of cake,” said Ronni Sanlo, of Palm Desert, “but it fills my heart every bit as much.”

Participants from all walks of life strutted through downtown Palm Springs and the Movie Colony neighborhoood.

Trailing behind the others were Richard Jenkins and Marc Camarra. Camarra used crutches to gain control of his neuropathy.

When asked what compelled him to do the walk still, he replied: “Why not? I can suffer for a couple of hours for all the people who suffer [from AIDS].”

This was the walk’s 24th year with the fundraising goal set at $233,000. Organizers said they counted $200,000 already before the walk departed from Ruth Hardy Park.

They estimated 1,100 people would show up. But, approximately 1,500 participated in the end. Organizers said it’s probably because there was a bigger and better Health & Wellness Fair this year.

Sanlo knows a lot about health and wellness. For seven years, she worked as an HIV epidemiologist.

She walked in memory of her friends.

“I lost so many guys. I lost so many friends and so many loved ones,” she said. “I held so many moms and partners in memorial services, and theyr’e with me today. I feel them in my heart.”