After nearly four decades of unwavering dedication to the fight against HIV, Action Wellness has announced that the AIDS Walk Philly will officially be retired. Since its founding in 1987, the walk has united tens of thousands of participants, advocates and supporters, raising millions of dollars to fund vital HIV prevention, treatment and support services across the Greater Philadelphia region. The decision to sunset the event follows the closure of the AIDS Fund in 2024 and comes after careful consideration of rising costs, limited resources and the shifting landscape of HIV awareness and funding. To honor the legacy of the AIDS Walk Philly and AIDS Fund, Action Wellness will team up with the William Way LGBT Community Center (1315 Spruce Street) for a AIDS Walk Philly Retrospective on Sunday, October 19, 2025, from 10:00am to 2:00pm. The event will include an assortment of curated items on display and guided tours, light refreshments and a guest book for attendees to sign. The event is open to all, especially those that have participated in the walk over the years. Past participants are encouraged to wear their past AIDS Walk Philly gear or red to the event. A donation of $25 to attend is suggested, along with RSVP here by Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
Action Wellness recognizes that this event has brought together thousands of participants, advocates, and supporters each year, fostering a sense of community and raising vital funds for prevention, treatment and support services for those with HIV. The decision to retire the event was a difficult one but it was made in response to the changing landscape of HIV awareness and funding.
“We are incredibly proud to have been part of the impact that AIDS Walk Philly has had over the years in raising awareness and supporting individuals living with HIV,” said Action Wellness Executive Director Mary Evelyn Torres. “The commitment from participants, sponsors, and volunteers has been nothing short of inspiring. While we are sad to see this tradition come to a close, we look forward to continuing the work and honor the spirit of the Walk as we serve the community in other ways.”
“We must all be thankful for the incredible advances in HIV prevention, care, and treatment that have brought us to the point,” said former AIDS Fund Director Robb Reichard. “As we continue to strive towards the ultimate goal of getting to zero, I hope that the community will find other ways to support people living with HIV disease and honor the memory of those we’ve lost to the epidemic.”
HISTORY
In 1987, volunteers from Philadelphia’s gay and lesbian community center, then known as Penguin Place (now the William Way LGBT Community Center), organized the very first AIDS Walk to raise funds for local AIDS agencies and to increase public awareness about the epidemic. That inaugural walk raised $33,000 and marked the beginning of what would grow into the region’s largest annual HIV/AIDS public awareness and fundraising event. Over the next four decades, tens of thousands of walkers gathered each year, uniting the community and raising $18.5M to support critical HIV services.
Now, as AIDS Walk Philly sunsets, it is only fitting that the retrospective celebration return to its roots at the William Way LGBT Community Center – the direct successor to Penguin Place and a space dedicated to preserving Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ history. Home to archives, exhibits, and community programs, William Way provides the perfect setting to honor the Walk’s nearly 40-year legacy and the profound impact it has had on both the fight against HIV and the fabric of the Philadelphia community.
“When Action Wellness approached us about partnering on an event to commemorate the AIDS Walk Philly we immediately knew it was a ‘yes’ for us,” said William Way LGBT Community Center Acting Executive Director Darius McLean, Ed.D. “The legacy of the AIDS Walk was started by Penguin Place which was also the genesis of The William Community Center. This is a full circle moment where the evolution of a particular event itself has come to its natural conclusion but the intersection of the work and mission of Action Wellness and William Way continues to be as important today as it has ever been. We could not be happier or more proud to partner together to honor and celebrate the impact of The AIDS Walk and strengthen our community and networks in new and meaningful ways.”
RETROSPECTIVE FUNDRAISER
To honor AIDS Walk Philly and AIDS Fund, a special retrospective will take place on Sunday, October 19th, from 10:00am to 2:00pm, at WWCC. Past participants, donors, volunteers and others involved in AIDS Walk Philly – as well as the public – are invited to come together to celebrate the event’s memory and wear their past AIDS Walk Philly gear. There will be an assortment of curated items on display and tours given every 20 minutes by WWCC staff. Attendees are invited to sign the event guest book and share memories. There will be light refreshments served. RSVP is requested by Thursday October 16th and a suggested donation of $25 is highly encouraged.
All funds raised will be split between Action Wellness and William Way to support individuals with HIV or at high-risk of acquiring HIV as well as diverse LGBTQIA+ communities in the greater Philadelphia area through arts and culture, empowerment, and community connections. Past supporters of AIDS Walk Philly are encouraged to learn more about and support Action Wellness via its fundraising events: GayBINGO!, Black-Tie GayBINGO! and Dining Out For Life.
For more information about the final celebration and to learn about ongoing efforts in the fight against HIV, please visit www.actionwellness.org/ or contact Kevin Vuernick at KVuernick@actionwellness.org.
