CLEARLAKE ? The community rallied together Saturday at Austin Park in Clearlake for the second annual AIDSWalk Lake County. Dr. Marshall Kubota, HIV/AIDS specialist called the event an example of “the best humanity has to offer.”
“I so enjoy seeing everyone come together to help, to build and to support each other. I applaud your efforts to befriend each other,” Dr. Kubota said. “This is an example of the best humanity has to offer.”
The event was sponsored by Community Care HIV/AIDS Program (CCHAP). Dennis Fay, CCHAP executive director for Lake and Mendocino counties commended all those who contributed to the success of the event. “We”re going to stay with this every year. We are going to keep doing good things for the community,” he said. “We can”t do this without community partnerships. Our number of community sponsors and partners has tripled in one year.”
Fay continued thanking sponsoring organizations such as Sutter Lakeside, Moran”s and Lodi pharmacies, Hospice of Lake County, Lake County Public Health, Clearlake Oaks/Glenhaven Business Association (CLOGBA), Any Positive Change legal needle exchange program, Stonewall Democratic Club and more.
“Lake Center for Support is an honorary partner and we are grateful for what they do in the community.” Fay added, “And the City of Clearlake has just been fantastic to us this year, too.”
Great appreciation was extended by District 3 Supervisor Denise Rushing as well. “The word that comes to mind is gratitude,” she said. “To have people who really care and to have people who help really, really matters. The good side to a recession is you see surges in volunteerism. There is so much going on and so much volunteer effort here and I want to thank you.”
Dr. Kubota expressed gratitude not only for those in attendance, but also for the strides made in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. “The term ?living with HIV” has never been more true than it is today. It used to be about fighting hard when the odds were stacked against you. The horizon was short. No longer” he said “Our expectations for length of life for my patients who have controlled their HIV stretch into six, seven, eight decades. The bracket is open-ended. The horizon is far off. This is a miracle.”
Dr. Kubota continued, “It is my unhappy duty to tell a young patient that they have HIV infection. But, if discovered early I can also truthfully tell them that with treatment and good health habits they will out live me. Of this, I have no doubt. I am inspired everyday by my patients. They are not just ?living with HIV” they are ?LIVING, with HIV.” They, you are amazing people.”
Providing access to information and area resources was a primary goal of the event, along with raising funds for continued CCHAP services. Lake County Public Health Department provided free, confidential HIV testing and information regarding other health services. Hospice of Lake County and Any Positive Change spoke with guests regarding their respective services. Stonewall Democratic Club was also on hand registering voters while the CLOGBA promoted its fireworks display fundraiser and its annual catfish derby.
The event also provided an opportunity for local students to gain high school credits toward their graduations. “All the high school kids got community service credits for coming out,” Shanti Gallon, of Lake Center for Support said.
For more information regarding available resources for persons living with HIV/AIDS, contact the CCHAP Drop-In Center at 995-1606.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
