The 30th Annual Desert AIDS Walk
PALM SPRINGS, CA (October 13, 2016) – In 1987, former First Lady Betty Ford, actor Kirk Douglas and his wife Ann lead the first steps of the Desert AIDS Walk. On October 22 over 2,000 community members will unite in Ruth Hardy Park to walk in the 30th Desert AIDS Walk in support Desert AIDS Project, presented by Desert Regional Medical Center.
Desert AIDS Project has grown from a small group of volunteers who founded D.A.P. in 1984 to one of the most comprehensive and respected AIDS service providers in the country. In the past 12 months, individuals seeking care at D.A.P has grown by an astounding 65%. 50 new patients walk thru the door every month.
This year’s walk events begin at 8 am on Saturday, October 22 in Ruth Hardy Park. DJ JC DiStefano will energize the park while walkers sign-in and explore the Health & Wellness Festival featuring over 40 vendor booths and a kids activity zone. The main stage will be emceed by 2016 Queen of the Desert, Tommi Rose and 2016 Queen of the Desert Fan Favorite Pinkie Meringue Shimmer.
Prior to stepping off on the walk, which follows a 2.5 mile route through downtown Palm Springs, walkers will enjoy live entertainment from headliner Pepper Mashay and local talent Marina Mac. Desert Winds Freedom Band will perform along Palm Canyon Drive as walkers pass by.
Congressman Raul Ruiz and Palm Springs Mayor Robert Moon lead the group of distinguished community leaders and D.A.P. partners making remarks prior to the walk stepping off at 9:30am. Joining them will be Desert AIDS Project CEO David Brinkman, D.A.P. Board Chair Steve Kaufer Carolyn Caldwell, CEO of Desert Regional Medical Center, presenting sponsor of the 2016 Desert AIDS Walk.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
8:00 DJ welcomes walkers with energizing music.
Breakfast courtesy of Koffi
Health & Wellness Festival opens
8:30 David Brinkman, CEO Desert AIDS Project
Steve Kaufer, D.A.P. Board Chair
8:35 Robert Moon, Mayor Palm Springs
8:40 Raul Ruiz, Congressman
Carolynn Caldwell, CEO Desert Regional Medical Center
8:45 Urban Yoga Warm-Up
Marina Mac Performs
9:00 Pepper Mashay Performs
9:30 Walkers Step Off
10:30 Walkers Return to Park | Health & Wellness Festival | Live Performances Continue
Gay Mens Chorus Performs
Marina Mac Performs
Pepper Mashay Performs
2016 Desert AIDS Walk Sponsors
Presented by Desert Regional Medical Center.
Major sponsors: Grace Helen Spearman Foundation, Gilead, Wells Fargo, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Eisenhower Medical Center, City of Palm Springs, MDVIP, The Desert Sun, KMIR, Desert Oasis Healthcare.
Other Sponsors include: Revivals, Jus Chillin, Koffi, The Old Spaghetti Factory, Zin American Bistro, United Way of the Desert, VIP Mobile Suites, The Standard Magazine, Gay Desert Guide, and CV Independent
About Desert AIDS Project
Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.) serves our community with primary and HIV-specialty services, including medical care, case management, and social services, including food, housing, and counseling. D.A.P. also provides HIV prevention education and free and confidential HIV testing at dozens of community test sites and events through its Get Tested Coachella Valley campaign. They also offer The DOCK, a sexual health clinic, whose services include STD testing and treatment; PEP & PrEP education and referral to treatment; free and confidential HIV testing; and well woman exams. With new advances in treatment, improved access to care through health reform and new prevention technology, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), D.A.P. is committed to bringing the HIV epidemic to an end.
About Pepper Mashay
Pepper MaShay exploded on the dance scene in the summer of 2000 with her mega smash hit “Dive in the Pool” (the un-official theme song from Showtime’s Queer As Folk & best described as the “It’s Raining Men” of the 21st Century).
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