LAKE COUNTY ? The second annual AIDSWalk Lake County will take place today 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Austin Park in Clearlake. Success of the event is vital to continue services to those living with AIDS/HIV in Lake County.
The event includes addresses by Lake County Board of Supervisor Chairperson Denise Rushing and AIDS/HIV Specialist Dr. Marshall Kubota. Rushing will speak at 11:30 a.m. followed by Dr. Kubota at noon. It is sponsored by Community Care HIV/AIDS Program (CCHAP) and includes an information fair of area health care resources. “Now, more than ever, small agencies such as CCHAP are answering the call to create funding to continue to provide services such as food vouchers and gas vouchers so clients can get adequate nutrition and attend doctor appointments each month,” Ken Young, CCHAP Drop-In Center Coordinator said. “This is our second annual AIDSWalk Lake County. Last year, Lake County citizens responded and we had a successful first-time event and actually bailed out a program of ours that ran out of funds earlier this year. Because of last year”s funds we were able to continue vouchers, uninterrupted.”
According to Dr. Kubota, 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 during his address last year. “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.”
Dr. Kubota has been a leader dedicated to the fight against HIV/AIDS 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,” he said.
AIDSWalk participants may choose to walk the easy one-mile periphery of the park for a $5 donation. Participants may also walk in groups for company representation. Gaining sponsors is encouraged however not necessary for participation. People may simply donate what they can afford to share as well.
“Please help us continue to serve the health and wellness of Lake County citizens with your donations to Community Care HIV/AIDS Program and your time and spirit at AIDSWalk Lake County,” Young said.
For more information regarding available resources for persons living with HIV/AIDS, contact CCHAP at 995-1606.
