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SIERRA VISTA — The incidence of HIV/AIDS is increasing, not decreasing.
In an effort to help raise awareness about HIV and AIDS, there will be an AIDS Walk and Health Awareness event on Oct. 13. The walk will be held at Len Roberts Park, located next to Carmichael School at Carmichael and Theater in Sierra Vista. Sponsored by the Greater Huachuca Branch of the NAACP, Cochise Housing Opportunity for Persons Living With AIDS, Chiricahua Community Health Centers and SouthEastern Arizona Behavioral Health Services, this is the second year for the event, which is scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon.
“With the increasing number of AIDS cases in Cochise County, the high number of teen pregnancies and the meth and drug problems that we’re seeing in this area, these health issues should be sending up a red flag that AIDS is out there,” said Lydia Montoya, who is the HOPWA coordinator under the Cochise County Housing Authority. “AIDS is definitely a nationwide problem, but people in Cochise County don’t seem to think it’s an issue right here, this close to home. But it’s a very big issue.”
Murryelle Bothwell, health chairwoman for the local chapter of the NAACP, agrees with Montoya. “We want to heighten community awareness about AIDS and urge people to get tested,” Bothwell said. “And there’s no better time than now. We’re offering confidential, free testing the morning of the event, from 8:30 until 10:30.”
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It’s a misconception that only certain high risk groups are infected with the virus.
“That’s a myth that we need to dispel,” Bothwell said. “AIDS is not a gay, white, male disease; it’s a human disease. Every single person in this community and in this country needs to take AIDS seriously. It’s the only way we’ll stop its spread.”
African Americans make up 50 percent of the newly diagnosed cases of AIDS, Brothwell said, and that percentage includes women and children. Elderly populations also are being impacted by the disease.
“It’s literally going through all ages, genders and racial spectrums,” she added, “and people absolutely need to be aware of this.”
Along with the prevalence and warnings, the AIDS awareness event will provide information about prevention, screening and treatment options.
Probably one of the area’s most outspoken crusaders of HIV/AIDS prevention, testing and treatment is Tim Van Nattan, someone who has lived with the disease for 24 years. VanNattan has made AIDS prevention his life’s platform, speaking openly about his own experiences with the disease and how it has affected his life. He plans to attend the AIDS event.
“AIDS walks were created in the early days when government funding for AIDS awareness was not available,” Van Nattan said. “Since we have more people living longer with the disease, these walks have evolved as a fundraising event to help those infected with AIDS.”
All money raised at the walk will go to the Chiricahua Health Centers to help clients living with AIDS, Van Nattan said.
“This walk is something that just started here last year, but we’re hoping it will last for many, many years, at least until we can conquer this disease,” Van Nattan said.
T-shirts and gifts will be presented to the first 40 people who check in at the AIDS walk. There will be keynote speakers, healthy snacks, a number of informational booths addressing a variety of health issues, an opportunity for blood pressure checks, and free, confidential AIDS testing. The actual walk is about one-third of a mile. While the event is free, donations will be accepted to assist AIDS patients through Chiricahua Health Centers.
For information, contact Bothwell at mebothwell@cox.com.
Herald/Review reporter Dana Cole can be reached at 515-4618 or by e-mail at dana.cole@svherald.com.
SL wrote on Oct 2, 2007 7:37 AM: