This Sunday, Central Park turns into a sea of sneakers as thousands of New Yorkers converge for the 41st AIDS Walk New York. The day, billed as "Walk Like An Icon," mixes costumes, community fundraising and quiet remembrance as participants push for better access to testing, treatment and social support across the city.
Event Details
Organizer GMHC expects more than 10,000 walkers to gather at Central Park's Naumburg Bandshell for a low stress route through the park. According to GMHC, AIDS Walk New York has raised more than $170 million since 1986 and helps support roughly 132,000 New Yorkers living with HIV.
Voices on the Walk
Caroline Kennedy, a longtime participant, told CBS News New York the event is "a source of pride and a necessity," adding, "We're all in it together."
Other walkers add their own rituals. Fundraiser Samantha Brunson, for example, crocheted a physical representation of every step she took during last year's walk, a small but striking way to turn each mile into something tangible for the local services the event supports.
The Numbers Behind the Stroll
The city's data helps explain why the Walk still matters. The New York City Health Department's 2023 HIV Surveillance Annual Report estimates roughly 88,500 people with HIV in the city and reports about 1,686 new diagnoses in 2023, according to NYC Health.
GMHC says last year's AIDS Walk New York brought in about $1.9 million, with proceeds funding everything from testing and medical care to housing and legal assistance.
How To Watch Or Join
CBS News New York plans to set up a pop up newsroom in Central Park on walk day to talk with participants and fundraisers about why they show up year after year.
Registration and donation details are available at AIDS Walk New York, and GMHC lists volunteer and fundraising resources for anyone who wants to join in or support the cause from the sidelines.
