Money raised for AIDS Walk LA

A team of nearly 50 Emerson College Los Angeles community members walked through West Hollywood on October 12 to raise money in support of eradicating AIDS.

Emerson Los Angeles students, wearing Emerson STANDS T-shirts, participate in AIDS Walk Los Angeles on October 12. (Photo by Daryl Paranada)

Approximately 25,000 people took part in the 6.2-mile AIDS Walk Los Angeles, raising about $2.26 million for AIDS-related organizations. The ELA team members donned specially designed purple shirts that read “Stand Together, Act Now, Do Something,” in support and promotion of the new Emerson STANDS program, which encourages students to intervene in cases of interpersonal violence.

ELA's top fundraiser was Elizabeth Rule ’14 from New Haven, Connecticut. The Writing, Literature and Publishing major raised $305.

“My mom was a nurse who conducted some of the first AZT trials,” said Rule. “It’s a cause that's always been close to her heart and I wanted to raise money in support of that.”

Emerson Los Angeles director Kevin Bright '76 shakes hands with Elizabeth Rule '14 who raised the most money for AIDS Walk LA among her fellow students. (Photo by Daryl Paranada)

Rule said she publicized the walk on her social media accounts, but didn't try any special techniques to raise money.

“I’m glad to have raised $305 and hope I can do more in the future,” said Rule.  

Kevin Bright ’76, ELA's founding director, said he would match the amount raised by Rule and other students for AIDS Walk Los Angeles. Bright treated the ELA team to pizza in the middle of the walk, which took about six hours to complete.

“This is the second year that ELA has participated in AIDS Walk Los Angeles and it was a resounding success, doubling the amount of participants from the first year,” said Bright.

Amie Sandillo '14, Kevin Bright '76, and Elizbeth Rule '14 at AIDS Walk Los Angeles on October 12. (Photo by Daryl Paranada)

AIDS Walk Los Angeles was the world’s first fundraising walk to benefit organizations dealing with AIDS and has raised nearly $80 million since its inception in 1985.

Among the students walking in support of the cause was Amie Sandillo ’14, a Visual and Media Arts major. Sandillo said she was walking to support the millions of people who have been affected by AIDS.

“It’s the least I can do,” said Sandillo. “It’s a great cause.”

The Emerson Los Angeles students who participated in AIDS Walk LA on October 12. (Photo by Daryl Paranada)