My name is Ada Castillo-Leon this is my ninth year participating in this amazing event. I am walking in memory of my sister Marilyn Castillo who died of Aids in 1998 and all those who are living with this disease. In its 31 years, AIDS Walk New York has inspired nearly 890,000 people to walk and millions more to donate, raising more than $144 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 men, women, and families affected by the disease in the tri-state area our mission is to fight to end the AIDS epidemic and uplift the lives of all affected.

Please support me and help me reach my personal fundraising goal of $2,000.00 and team goal of $5,000.00. I am confident that with the help of my family and friends I will achieve my goal.

The funds we raise benefit GMHC and more than 40 other tri-state area AIDS service organizations. These groups serve as a lifeline to thousands of people living with the disease in need of medical care, food, counseling, housing assistance, and much more. AIDS Walk New York funding also powers prevention programs as well as critical efforts to demand a cure.

Here are more statistics that show HIV/AIDS is still a threat here in the U.S.:
• Every 9 ½ minutes, someone in the U.S. is infected with HIV.
• Half of those infected with HIV are under the age of 24.
• One in seven of those infected with HIV is unaware of their infection.
Together, we can turn these numbers around. That is why I am calling on you and many others to help.

To securely donate online, click on the link to my personal donation page here: https://ny.aidswalk.net/AdaCastilloLeon. Checks for any amount can be made out to "AWNY" with my name in the memo and sent to: AIDS Walk New York, P.O. Box 7607, New York, NY 10116. Thank you for supporting me in this critically important effort.