AIDS Walk For Life kicks off in Toronto

Participants in the country's largest AIDS walk flooded downtown Toronto streets on Sunday to raise awareness and funds for HIV/AIDS research.

The 16th annual "AIDS Walk for Life" began at Church and Wood Streets at 11 a.m. and will travel a route along Yonge, Bloor, Jarvis and Church Streets.

Former Health Minister George Smitherman and Coun. Kyle Rae were in attendance at the event.

According to the AIDS Committee of Toronto, last year's event raised more than $500,000 for AIDS research and HIV/AIDS programs in the city.

The event was first launched in 1989 and has since raised more than $8.5 million through the participation of 100,000 walkers, corporate sponsors and community teams.

ACT estimates more than 60,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS in Canada with approximately 30 per cent unaware they are HIV-positive.

More than 66 per cent of Ontarians living with HIV reside in the Toronto area.