CLEARLAKE — The first “AIDSWalk Lake County” was a tremendous success with more than $3,000 reportedly raised for the cause.
The event, held on Saturday at Austin Park Resort, introduced an array of resources for counseling, treatment, information and testing related to the infection and prevention of AIDS and HIV.
The event was sponsored by Community Care HIV/AIDS Program (CCHAP).
“We are dedicated to the AIDSWalk and we will do it again next year. Community Care is an organization with a heart and it is absolutely our pleasure to do so,” said Dennis Fay, CCHAP executive director for Lake and Mendocino counties. “Every one of you have proved that you are the kind of caring people that Lake County deserves. We owe it to this community to reach out to people living with HIV/AIDS.”
Participants of the event enjoyed leisurely strolls around the lakeside resort as they raised money for programs such as the CCHAP food cupboard and medical travel fund. Money was raised through sponsorship and other contributions. Many in attendance expressed their appreciation for the event and the awareness it raised. “I was here nine years and didn”t know about CCHAP for the first four,” said Jack Troyer. “I”m so thankful for the services they provide.”
While supporters were not engaged in walking, they listened to inspiring words offered by keynote speakers, District Three Supervisor Denise Rushing and AIDS/HIV Specialist Dr. Marshall Kubota.
“I”ve been fortunate to be able to be a part of the main teams of caring and talented individuals that, over the years have dedicated themselves to the fight against AIDS and the care of those persons living with HIV infection,” said Dr. Kubota, who has been specializing in the field since 1982.
“We have incredible systems of medical care. Through hard work on the part of the clinicians, social workers, dentists and the devotion of patients, we have been able to bring under control this literally heartless virus and allow for the immune systems of persons living with HIV to be restored and health to be regained.”
Dr. Kubota said that there is more to beating the HIV virus and AIDS epidemic than just medicine. “Ignorance, homophobia, racism, sexism, criminalization or medical conditions continue to infect society and are allied with the virus, partners with HIV and will continue to spread misery and perpetuate the epidemic.
These diminish us as a society and must be eliminated,” he said. “So, we come together here today, strong to fight not only this virus, this hardly alive entity, but perhaps more important to fight together against these other illnesses of our society.”
Several organizations joined in the first annual AIDSWalk Lake County. Lakeside Health Center and Hospice Services of Lake County were on hand providing information regarding their respective services as was The Medicine Tray, which is a home delivery service for prescription medications. “Basically we specialize in AIDS medicine,” The Medicine Tray owner Dan Gomes said.
“We deliver to people throughout Northern California who can”t get to the pharmacy. We fill that gap.”
“Any Positive Change,” was also in attendance.
The organization has been in existence for 13 years according to representative Annina van Voorene. “Any Positive Change is a street-based, harm reduction program serving active drug users in Lake County,” Voorene said. “This program has not cost the county a penny and it”s saved so many lives.”
Voorene added that Any Positive Change would like to be the organization that the county signs a Memorandum of Understanding with upon the initiation of a needle exchange program in Lake County.
Lil” Acorns Preschool and Clearlake Oaks Community United Methodist Church also joined the event.
Lake County Public Health Department was on hand as well providing free, quick and easy HIV/AIDS testing.
About 20 youngsters from Lake Center for Support, which also contributed to the organization of the event, showed their support for the AIDSWalk, contributing money, walking, setting up and cleaning after the event.
For more information regarding available resources for persons living with HIV/AIDS, contact CCHAP at 995-1606.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
