Media Contact:
J. Cory Curtis, Lifelong AIDS Alliance
(206) 957-1630

For Immediate Release
September 9, 2006

20th Anniversary AIDS Walk Raises $775,000 and Counting
More than 5,000 walkers take to the streets of Capitol Hill to fight AIDS, led by KING 5 News Anchor Jean Enersen, Rep. Jim McDermott, King County Executive Ron Sims, and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels 

Seattle, WA—September 9, 2006—Lifelong AIDS Alliance announced today that the 20th Anniversary AIDS Walk raised more than $775,000 for services for people living with HIV/AIDS in Seattle/King County, making it the most successful AIDS Walk in several years. Donations are continuing to come in and are still accepted on the AIDS Walk website at www.llaa.org. More than 6,000 people participated in the annual event at Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill, which this year honored two decades of fighting AIDS in Seattle.

Speakers included a high profile line-up of elected officials, Lifelong AIDS Alliance clients, and top fundraisers. The opening ceremony was helmed by KING 5 News Anchor Jean Enersen, who has been active with the AIDS Walk since its beginnings in the 1980s, and Lifelong Executive Director Tina Podlodowski. Elected officials speaking at the event included United States Representative Jim McDermott, State Secretary of Health Mary Selecky, State Senator Pat Thibaudeau, State Representative Ed Murray, and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels.

Other elected officials in attendance at the 20th Anniversary AIDS Walk included State Senators Karen Keiser and Jeanne Kohl-Welles, State Representatives Zach Hudgins and Mark Miloscia, King County Councilmembers Dow Constantine, Julia Patterson, Larry Phillips, and Seattle City Councilmembers Sally Clark, Richard Conlin, David Della, Jean Godden, Peter Steinbrueck, and Tom Rasmussen.

The event also included an expanded viewing of 20 large panels of the National AIDS Memorial Quilt and performances by the Seattle Men’s Chorus and Rainbow City Band.

“Many people living with HIV/AIDS face discrimination and rejection in their personal lives, so the amazing show of support from our community is truly outstanding,” said Tina Podlodowski, executive director of Lifelong AIDS Alliance. “The money raised today will go directly to help feed, house, and support those living with HIV/AIDS as well as help educate people about HIV/AIDS.”

About Lifelong AIDS Alliance
Lifelong AIDS Alliance provides food, housing and health insurance to people living with HIV/AIDS in King County. Lifelong also provides prevention education and is a leader in local, regional and national advocacy for people living with HIV/AIDS.  Over 85% of Lifelong AIDS Alliance's clients live on less than $15,000 per year. With a $16 million budget, Lifelong AIDS Alliance is the leading AIDS service organization in the Pacific Northwest and is recognized nationally for its innovative work.  The AIDS WALK is the organization’s largest annual fundraiser.  More information about Lifelong is available at www.llaa.org.

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