Thank you to everyone who supported me in AIDS Walks in Los Angeles and San Francisco over the years!

Uncertainty around access to medical care and rising costs of many necessities makes it more crucial than ever to raise as much as we can for our patients living with HIV.

The funds raised in these walks have and will continue to:
• Alleviate Financial Burden: Help patients manage the cost of essential health-related expenses such as labs and medication copays.
• Improve Health Outcomes: Ensure patients have access to necessities such as healthy food, medical equipment/supplies, hygiene products, clothing and/or other medically indicated resources leading to better health and wellness.
• Increase Treatment Adherence: Reduce the likelihood of patients skipping medications or medical appointments due to financial constraints.
• Enhance Patient Satisfaction: Provide tangible support that improves patient experience and satisfaction with their healthcare providers.

How the funds have been used thus far:
Between Nov 2024-March 2026, $14,637.24 has gone towards VIDA patient assistance.
• $8750 went to the purchase of 350 Safeway Gift Cards in $25 increments that were purchased to assist with food insecurity and fuel assistance.
• $338.74 towards medication copay assistance for patients uninsured or underinsured.
• $1537.56 towards SRCH’s Bags of Love (tote bags filled with food for both housed and unhoused patients)
• $2445.27 towards lab copay assistance for patients uninsured or underinsured.
• $269.13 towards direct patient assistance to address social determinants of health.

Examples of direct patient assistance provided include:
o Pots and Pans to assist with cooking and nutritional support
o Microwave, for a patient without access to a kitchen or a hot meal
o A humidifier for a patient with respiratory issues

While the funds raised have had a remarkable impact, continued fundraising and expansion efforts are necessary to reach more individuals in need. Future opportunities to explore include:
• Scaling up support services for patients to include material supports such as:
 Socks, scarves, gloves, blankets, hygiene products, etc. to be distributed to our unhoused population
 Purchase of Pneumonia or Mpox vaccines to be given to high-risk patients
 Coverage of the cost of lab copays for the uninsured or underinsured
 Coverage of the cost of medication copays for the uninsured or underinsured
 Cellphones and/or minute cards

Thank you again for your support!