Hit the Road-Albuquerque, the 2002 AIDS Walk, was at Johnson Field Saturday to raise money for victims of the HIV virus and AIDS.
Thousands of people participated in the 5K walk from Johnson Field, through Nob Hill, and back to UNM. Opening ceremonies began at 9 a.m. and participants walked along Central Avenue.
"I participated for the sake of humanity and to let people know that I am there to support individuals with the HIV virus or AIDS," Leslie Garcia said. "The walk was my way of supporting NMAS."
All money raised at Saturday's event will stay in New Mexico to help to support programs and to increase education awareness. New Mexico AIDS Services and Gap Inc. sponsored the event.
The association was founded in 1985 to help New Mexicans who have the HIV virus or AIDS. NMAS helps men, women and children affected by the disease.
According to the group's Web site, last year's AIDS Walk raised $140,000 with more than 3,000 participants.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported U.S. adult and adolescent AIDS cases have reached 784,032 as of June of last year. Of those, 649,186 are males while 134,845 are female.
The total deaths attributed to the disease are 457,667. Among children under the age of 15, 8,994 deaths were reported according to the center's Aug. 5, 2002 report.
NMAS offers several services such as Prevention Case Management, HIV testing, Men and Women Health Projects, Project AWARE and MPower.
Project AWARE is a program that helps women in New Mexico's Correctional Facilities. MPower promotes safe sex practices for men from ages 18 through 29.
After finishing of the walk, the participants gathered at Johnson Field to listen to members of NMAS recognize the sponsors and those who participated in the fundraising effort.
