Duane Reade to be presenting sponsor for AIDS Walk New York

NEW YORK Duane Reade will be the first-ever presenting sponsor of AIDS Walk New York on May 16 and has pledged a minimum contribution of $225,000 through the Duane Reade Charitable Foundation.

Also as part of its sponsorship, Duane Reade is selling special $1 paper red-ribbon pinups in its more than 250 New York metro-area stores through May 15 -- the day before AIDS Walk New York. All of the funds raised by the ribbon sales will support GMHC and dozens of other local HIV/AIDS services organizations in the tri-state area.

It is estimated that 45,000 people will join the 25th annual AWNY, a fundraising walkathon beginning and ending in Central Park. Duane Reade's employee group will be one of an anticipated 2,900 corporate and community fundraising teams participating.

In addition, GMHC and Duane Reade are working together on multiple efforts to raise awareness about HIV, GMHC's work and the AIDS Walk. This includes in-store AIDS Walk registration drives and on-site free and confidential HIV testing through GMHC's mobile testing unit.

Duane Reade became a sponsor of AWNY in 2002, and has increased its sponsorship level in subsequent years.