06:29 AM Mountain Standard Time on Tuesday, October 19, 2004

The Associated Press

MESA -- A service organization that raises funds for Arizona AIDS patients is shutting down after 21 years.

AIDS Project Arizona and its high-profile fund-raiser AIDS Walk Arizona served more than 2,500 people affected by AIDS or HIV.

Board and staff members from AIDS Project Arizona say financial problems, leadership changes, staff turnover and backlash against the agency contributed to its demise.

About 20 staff members at AIDS Project Arizona were laid off.

AIDS Project Arizona also announced the AIDS Walk scheduled for next month has been canceled.

Organizers say they'd like to put another event together to take the place of the AIDS Walk Arizona.

(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)