Every 9-½ minutes, someone is infected with HIV in the U.S., with more than 900 people known to be living with HIV/AIDS in Northwest Ohio alone. There is still no cure and no preventative vaccine for HIV/AIDS.

In a continuing mission to raise awareness, the Toledo office of AIDS Resource Center Ohio will host the 2011 Northwest Ohio AIDS Walk Saturday, Sept. 10 at International Park on Toledo’s scenic waterfront.

“We are faced by a perplexing dilemma,” said Bill Hardy, executive director of AIDS Resource Center Ohio. “While more people than ever in Ohio and the U.S are being infected by and living with HIV/AIDS, public perception is that HIV is no longer an issue. As a result, funding for HIV services in Ohio and nationwide is decreasing.”

According to Hardy, the N.W. Ohio AIDS Walk will focus on increasing awareness and raising support for the organization’s prevention, care and testing services.

In order to promote equitable care, increase program quality and efficiency, ARC Ohio recently merged with the Columbus AIDS Task Force. As a result, the organization will provide services and linkage to core medical care for more than 2,500 HIV-positive individuals statewide, including more than 500 in Northwest Ohio. Thousands more will be reached with HIV testing and prevention outreach.

The money raised by participants of the AIDS Walk will support efforts to carry out this mission specifically in Toledo and throughout Northwest Ohio.

“Given the drastic cuts at the state and local levels for HIV prevention and care ¬– including medication, medical services, nutrition, transportation and testing – we are concerned about how we will continue the critical services we provide to our community,” said Julie Embree, regional director of AIDS Resource Center Ohio in Toledo. “Financial support is crucial in helping us get there.”

The 2011 Northwest Ohio AIDS Walk includes a 5K Walk, 5K untimed Fun Run and 1-Mile Stroll. Registration begins at 8 a.m. The event is family-friendly and wheelchair-accessible, and pets on a leash are welcome. Participants will enjoy live music and entertainment, children’s area and more.

Participant registration and donations may be made on the walk website www.arcohio.org/walktoledo or by calling 419-241-9444 ext. 407.

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