Thousands in AIDs Walk Shut Down Las Olas Boulevard

By Macollvie Jean-Francois, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Apr. 27–FORT LAUDERDALE — More than 2,000 people took some big steps to help stop the spread of HIV/ AIDS and those with the disease Sunday morning by participating in the Florida AIDS Walk.

Traffic on East Las Olas Boulevard, Broward Bouleavrd and other parts of the downtown was heavily affected by the six-mile-long walk as was A1A on the beach.

The event was expected to end around noon at Huizenga Plaza on Las Olas at Andrews Avenue.

It kicked off from the 1.8-acre park about 10 a.m., after a 45-minute opening ceremony that featured local doctors, the celebrities, and a group warm-up. The participants

Actors Blair Underwood and Mario Cantone were among the scores of celebrities, organizations, schools and politicians that joined thousands of residents in the six-mile walk downtown.

Florida AIDS Walk is produced by Event 360 for AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to HIV/AIDS prevention, education, accessible healthcare, research and patient advocacy. In Florida, AHF currently serves more than 10,000 people living with HIV/AIDS. AHF’s Out of the Closet Thrift Store, scheduled to open its first Florida locations in early 2008, will offer free HIV testing and treatment referral through an AHF Pharmacy built adjacent to the store.

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