600 Join Walk to Raise Funds for AIDS Services

For Lea Shadburn, Sunday’s benefit walk for AIDS stretched much farther than 10 kilometers.

The Ventura woman, accompanied by about a dozen family members and friends, was there as a special dedication for her sister, Suzi Morales, who has the virus.

“I’m here representing all the people who are losing or have lost someone to AIDS, or has the HIV virus,” she said moments before the 10 a.m. start of the 10-K walk.

“We’re 100% behind my sister, who we dearly love,” she said, brushing a tear from her eye. “It’s something we must do.”

Hundreds of people crowded San Buenaventura State Beach on Sunday morning at AIDS Care Inc.’s second annual “Walk and Run for Life” to share hugs, ideas and a commitment to beat the deadly virus.

Ambitious organizers had hoped that 1,000 people would participate in the event, generating $100,000 in pledges for the nonprofit agency, which provides support for AIDS- or HIV-infected Ventura County residents.

Volunteer coordinator Godfrey Cooper-Smith said about 600 people joined the walk and 75 people took part in the inaugural 10-K run. He was unsure how much money had been raised.

Although organizers were mildly disappointed with the turnout, they were quick to show their gratitude to the many supporters.

“This is an improvement over last year, but it always could be better,” Cooper-Smith said. “But we’re very happy. At least the residents of the county are more aware (of the problem).”

Health officials estimate that more than 3,000 people in Ventura County have acquired immune deficiency syndrome or carry HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

AIDS Care Inc., whose client list is almost doubling every year, provides counseling, support and other services. But officials say more money is needed to keep the program alive. They expect their annual budget to nearly double to more than $300,000 from other fund-raising activities this coming fiscal year.

Last month, they said, four clients died from the disease, but eight others enrolled in the program.

But Sunday morning, organizers did not dwell on a lack of funds. Volunteers at San Buenaventura State Beach pavilion provided fresh fruit, water and snacks to runners, walkers and others who gathered.

Most had personal reasons for getting involved.

Dave and Sue Horburg of Camarillo lost a friend to the virus Valentine’s Day.

“There are lots of HIV-positive people who need all the support we can give,” Dave Horburg said. “It’s almost an issue of prejudice and a lack of concern in our society.”

The couple, who help AIDS patients through Trinity Presbyterian Church of Camarillo’s care support group, raised $160 Sunday so AIDS Care can continue treating those like their friend, Kenny Peterson.

“We’re kind of walking in memory of him today,” Sue Horburg said.

Jill Hansen, Ventura YMCA physical programs director, who took first place in her division of the 10-K run, said researchers can use all the support they can get.

“There’s so much work to be done,” she said. “If everybody pitches in a little bit, then maybe we can find something to help get rid of this thing.”

Knowledge and awareness play a key role in battling the virus, AIDS Care volunteer Terrence Monk said.

“Teen-agers and those in the early 20s are showing up with AIDS,” said Monk, whose brother, Brian, died from the disease. “With a latency period of seven to 10 years, they were 13 or 14 when they got infected. With education, they can stop this from spreading.”

Others say shame and denial continue to plague the fight against the killer virus.

“An awful lot of (AIDS) deaths are not even reported correctly,” said Nancy Pedersen, who volunteers for the Ventura County Quilt Project, which displayed about a dozen quilts stitched in honor of local AIDS victims.

“My uncle’s death certificate says that he died” of another illness, “but that’s not what killed him,” she said. “He died of AIDS. The whole disease is a denial of reality.”

Scores of names were added to two quilts Sunday in tribute to those who have died from AIDS.

“It’s a way of saying goodby,” Pedersen said.

Shadburn does her best to cope with the sickness of her sister, who was too ill to attend.

“We just take each day one day at a time because she has so many needs,” Shadburn said of her sister. “There are things she can’t do, and we take them for granted. It really makes you appreciate life.”

For young Angela Morales, Suzi Morales’ 9-year-old daughter, the benefit Sunday translated to an outpouring of support for her mother and others like her.

“People should come because they love one of the people who are here,” Angela said. “They should never give up.”