Florida Clinic Keeping AIDS Under Control by Testing, Treating Patients

The Community AIDS Network's Comprehensive Care Clinic, founded in 1991, offers dental care, therapy, case management, education and anonymous HIV testing to residents of Sarasota County. The clinic is funded by grants, Sarasota County, Sarasota Memorial Hospital and community donations.

Supporters have launched a campaign to raise money for patient services. The major fundraiser, "CAN Goes Hollywood," will take place March 29; tickets are $100.00.

"All of the money raised goes directly into patient care and education," said Susan Terry, clinic president and CEO. Clinic clients range in age from 13 to 80.

Terry said about 100 of the clinic's 600 active patients are female and half of those are black. The other women are mostly white. Gay males comprise the remaining 500 patients, with around 20 percent black and 10 percent Hispanic. Terry said "white, gay, well-educated men are still the primary patients and their numbers are growing again."

"What's happening is long-term patients started feeling better because of the medication," she said. "They are now back out being more social." And they risk passing a mutated strain of HIV on to new partners. "If I'm on the AIDS drugs and I give the HIV virus to you, it's probably resistant to any of the current drug treatments when you come in and try to get help," Terry explained.

She noted that the cost of treatment is increasing because many long-term HIV/AIDS patients are developing other conditions normally associated with aging. Sarasota Memorial Hospital CEO Dr. Duncan Finlay said the clinic helps defray hospital costs. "Patients are getting treatments at the clinic that prevent them from being in a crisis situation, which helps lift the burden off our medical system," he said. "We're very proud of the program." For information, telephone 941-366-0461.

Back to other news for January 22, 2004