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Gift for Life and NY NOW are fielding a team for AIDS Walk New York, an annual 10K walk raising funds for GMHC.

NY NOW pledged once again to match the first $8,000 in donations for the 2023 edition, which will be held on Sunday, May 21, in New York’s Central Park.

“This year marks a change in team leadership for this wonderful life-giving event,” said Caroline Kennedy, Gift For Life/NY NOW team co-captain. “Kelly Bristol joins me as an enthusiastic co-captain. Together, we will continue the strong traditions of fundraising set by our captain emeritus, Su Hilty, who has retired after 10 years of leadership and inspiration. For 2023, the team has set an ambitious fundraising goal of $40,000 — and with the industry’s support, we can do it!”

Bristol, 2023 team co-captain, added: “The energy of last year’s AIDS Walk New York was exhilarating. We are excited to join the many other teams again this May for our walk in Central Park. We are also thrilled to have NY NOW as our partner once again and are delighted that our fundraising efforts are kickstarted with its generous $8,000 matching pledge.”

Alana Branston, NY NOW’s group vice president of gift & home and Gift for Life board member, remarked: “The whole NY NOW team is thrilled to partner with Gift for Life to support the fundraising efforts of AIDS Walk New York 2023. It’s been very meaningful for me to join the board of one of our most valued partners, and I couldn’t be happier to help raise awareness and funds for such an important cause. In partnership with Gift for Life, we hope to continue in our mission to support charities on both the national and local level in need of support.”

2023 Su Hilty fundraising tribute

The 2023 event will have a special fundraising connection to Su Hilty, team captain emeritus, who is battling PSP-Progressive Supra Nuclear Palsy, a degenerative disease. In recognition of her 10-plus years of support for AIDS Walk — both as a participant and team co-captain — Hilty recently was presented Gift for Life’s “Bert Tonkin Gift of Giving Award.” As a special tribute, industry friends and supporters can submit AIDS Walk NY donations in Hilty’s honor at gmhc.aidswalkny.org/suhilty.

For more than three decades Gift for Life has raised millions of dollars to support HIV/AIDS research, education, treatment, prevention and advocacy,” said Gift for Life board chair Ari Lowenstein. “This year’s AIDS Walk, and our special fundraising tribute for Su Hilty, team captain emeritus, is an especially meaningful continuation of our work. I join many of my fellow GFL board members in participating in this worthy and fun event!”

Now in its 38th year, AIDS Walk New York has inspired nearly 890,000 people to walk and millions more to donate, raising nearly $155 million to combat HIV and AIDS. The funds raised at the event remain a vital lifeline sustaining the prevention, care and advocacy programs. GMHC provides for the thousands of individuals affected by the disease in the tri-state area. The proceeds also benefit dozens of other HIV/AIDS service organizations that are able to participate as teams and raise funds through the Community Partnership Program.

To join the Gift for Life/NY NOW team and fundraise, or to donate, contact team co-captains Caroline Kennedy at [email protected], or Kelly Bristol at [email protected].