Houston AIDS Walk raises $500,000 (8010)

More than $500,000 for HIV/AIDS service organizations was raised by about 7,500 people who participated in the Houston AIDS Walk, held March 9, the Houston Chronicle reports. Funds raised from the 14th annual walk will support AIDS Foundation Houston and 13 other agencies that provide education, counseling, housing, food, and medical care to thousands of people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Kelly Rowland of the Houston-based R&B group Destiny's Child appeared at the event to help raise awareness that HIV is hitting Houston's African-American community especially hard. About 57% of all new HIV infections in the city are occurring among African-Americans, according to health department data. About 22,000 people in Houston are HIV-positive.