Desert AIDS Walk shows that health equity is for everyone – Desert Sun
The 2022 Desert AIDS Walk brought together more than 2,000 supporters of health equity for everyone at Ruth Hardy Park on Oct. 29. Convening at 8 a.m. under a clear blue sky at a nippy 58 degrees, the majestic mountains provided a spectacular backdrop for the largest gathering of health equity advocates in the Coachella Valley.
“Health equity for everyone” became the cheerleading mantra for the event. Breakfast and coffee were provided by Koffi, and lunch was provided by Sysco.
DAP Health CEO David Brinkman announced the goal of providing health services and care to 25,000 people by 2025. Currently, the organization provides health services to 10,000 valley residents.
“Health equity is about social justice which is about health justice to make sure that those who need the resources the most receive the health services they need,” said Congressman Raul Ruiz. “Under the banner of social justice and equity, I look forward to DAP growing in Indio and other locations in our most impoverished areas in our community. Let’s let our voices be heard.”
District 1 City Council member Grace Garner shared a personal story, representative of so many similar stories. She has been coming to the HIV/AIDS walk since she was a toddler. Her uncle was diagnosed with HIV in the 1980s. He was dealing with the backlash of begin gay, HIV positive and Latino. DAP stepped up and provided the medical care to her uncle and family support groups for her mother.
Presenting Sponsor Desert Health Care Network’s CEO Michele Finney acknowledged the superb partnership Desert Health Care Network had with DAP Health. She presented a $25,000 check to Brinkman to support and expand the services DAP Health provides. “David stepped up at DAP Health in ways unknown to the broader community.” Finney continued by sharing the “whenever Desert Regional Hospital discharged a monkeypox patient, David provided post-hospital care to that individual. That is an awesome partnership.”
DAP Health board chair Patrick Jordan reminded the crowd that DAP Health stepped forward not only during the AIDS crisis, but more recently, to confront the COVID and moneypox crises.
Top five fundraising teams and individuals
Brinkman and Jordan introduced the top five fundraising teams and the top five individual Walkers: The top teams, raising $77,300 total, included, in rank order: PS Properties, Partners for Life, Modern Men Coachella Valley Men’s Chorus, Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus and Fallen Arches. The top five individuals, raising $60,000 total, included in rank order: Patrick Jordan, Ken Goodman, Jerald Miller, Wes Freas and Jerry Keller.
Event Sponsors
The presenting sponsor was Desert Care Health Network. The health and wellness village sponsor was Walgreens.
Major sponsors included Gilead Sciences Inc., NBC Palm Springs, Revivals Stores, The Desert Sun and Steve Tobin and Johnny Krupa of the Grace Helen Spearmen Charitable Foundation.
The event raised more than $337,000.
Al Jones was appointed by the city council as a Trustee of the Palm Springs Library, where he serves as its treasurer. He was the former chairman of the Palm Springs International Airport Commission and is a member of the board of directors of Dezart Performs, the CSU Palm Desert Campus Advancement board, the Advisory board of Priority One Coachella Valley and a member of DBA and Main Street. Prior community engagement includes DAP Health Partners for Life Leadership Committee; the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, where he served as the Board secretary for five years, and Sanctuary Palm Springs.