During the past twelve weeks the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW), in partnership with Milwaukee community newspapers and radio stations, has been drawing attention to the status of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

This awareness campaign has raised the level of awareness about HIV prevention, care and treatment in our community.

"Today, people living with HIV and AIDS have an opportunity to live a long and healthy life provided they get access to medical care," said Dan Mueller, ARCW Chief Development Officer.

"However, many people living with HIV do not have health insurance or the ability to pay for their own care."

To ensure everyone with HIV has access to the life-saving medical care they need to regain or keep their health, the ARCW Medical Center provides care to everyone with HIV, regardless of their ability to pay. Last year, ARCW provided more than $1 million in care to people who did not have insurance or the ability to pay for their care.

As chief fundraiser for the agency, it is Mueller's job to make sure ARCW has enough private financial support to provide care regardless of economic status or ability to pay.

"ARCW is able to provide this large amount of quality care because of the generosity of people from throughout our city and state who raise money for AIDS Walk Wisconsin or who make donations in some other way," said Mueller.

Special events like AIDS Walk Wisconsin help ARCW meet the growing demand for HIV care and treatment services in our community. AIDS Walk Wisconsin 2007 will be held on September 29 at the Summerfest Grounds in Milwaukee. This year marks the 18th anniversary for AIDS Walk Wisconsin.

"We encourage everyone to register, recruit pledges and walk with us on September 29th," said Mueller.

Registration for AIDS Walk Wisconsin is free and participants are encouraged to collect donations from friends, family and coworkers to support the fight against AIDS. Registering is easy by calling 1-800-348-WALK or going to www.aidswalkwis.org. Walkers can register as individuals or can form teams of walkers to help combine their individual efforts. Great prizes are available to walkers who raise money at certain levels.

"AIDS Walk Wisconsin is an event for the entire family with music, free food and a beautiful walk route along Lake Michigan and the new Lakeshore State Park," said Mueller. "And as always, the money raised at AIDS Walk Wisconsin supports HIV care, treatment and prevention efforts right here in Milwaukee and across Wisconsin."

HIV/AIDS is a real threat in Milwaukee, especially for African Americans who currently make-up one half of all new HIV cases. In Wisconsin, one-half of the more than 6,000 people living with HIV are people of color. African Americans are 10 times more likely to have HIV than are whites and HIV is now the leading cause of death for young African American women between 25 and 34 years old.

"The four zip codes 53204, 53206, 53208, and 53212 have the highest concentration of HIV infection of anywhere in Wisconsin," said Mueller. "This disproportionate affect of HIV in the African-American community here in Milwaukee means it is vital for everyone to get involved in the fight against HIV and AIDS."

ARCW is Wisconsin's largest AIDS service organization. With the support of AIDS Walk Wisconsin and other funding sources, ARCW provides medical care, dental care, mental health therapy, legal representation, housing services, a food pantry and social work case management to 3,000 Wisconsin residents living with HIV/AIDS. Additionally, ARCW also reaches 150,000 people annually at risk of contracting HIV with life saving prevention information and resources.

HIV tests are available through ARCW and are free, anonymous and confidential. Test results are available within 20 minutes and people who test positive through an ARCW testing site have immediate access to care and treatment services to help them begin living with HIV.
To schedule an HIV test or to learn more about ARCW care and treatment services, please call 273-1991.