COUNTYWIDE : Walk to Raise Funds for AIDS Agencies

Ventura County Cares, an agency that assists people with AIDS, has scheduled a benefit walk Sunday in Ventura to raise money for an increasing caseload of county residents who have contracted the disease.

Organizers expect about 500 walkers to solicit pledges for the 6.2-mile walk that will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at San Buenaventura State Beach. Registration is at 8 a.m.

“In the last year, we’ve seen an explosion of AIDS cases,” said Reese Welsh, director of the nonprofit agency. “We’re having a tough time financially keeping up with the demand for services.”

Welsh said the organization is seeing “a big wave of cases” because more people who have been infected with the AIDS virus are just now getting sick.

A year ago, the caseload for Ventura County Cares was 25 to 30, but this year, the caseload is about 100, and is expected to rise to between 250 and 300 by next year, Welsh said.

In Ventura County, the disease has been diagnosed in 222 people, and of those, 149 have died, according to Martina Rippey, who compiles AIDS statistics for the county.

An estimated 1,000 to 3,000 people countywide are believed to be infected with the HIV virus but have not yet become sick, Rippey said.

Ventura County Cares provides non-medical services such as transportation assistance, a food bank, emotional support through a “buddy” system, and emergency financial help. Proceeds from Sunday’s walk will benefit Ventura County Cares and the county-run HIV Case Management Program, which provides medical services.

Supervisor Maggie Erickson-Kildee will present a proclamation in honor of the event. Also on hand will be state Sen. Gary K. Hart (D-Santa Barbara) and Ventura Mayor Greg Carson. Quilts honoring those who have died of AIDS will be on display.

Sponsoring the walk will be Curaflex Infusion Services, a Rancho Cucamonga-based corporation that provides home intravenous therapy for people with AIDS. Walkers who raise $100 or more will get a T-shirt commemorating the walk.

Pledge forms can be obtained from the Ventura County Cares office at 675 E. Main St., Ventura. For more information, call 643-0446.