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 News from Around Banderas Bay | February 2008 
Breakfast Club Benefits Vallarta HIV Group
 Paul Crist - Vallarta Enfrenta el SIDA, A.C.
| | Approximately 115 attendees enjoyed great food while supporting V.E.S. at the Breakfast Club meeting at Boca Bento on February 1st. | 
| | Paul Crist, President of Vallarta Enfrenta el SIDA, A.C. with V.E.S. Secretary Juan Carlos García and volunteer Miguel Moran. | | |
On Friday, February 1, the popular monthly Breakfast Club organized by Pamela Thompson met at Restaurant Boca Bento. Approximately 115 attendees enjoyed great food, an opportunity to network and meet new and old friends, and to assist an important local non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the HIV epidemic in Puerto Vallarta.
Many people donated needed office and medical supplies to support the work of Vallarta Enfrenta el SIDA, A.C. In addition, representatives from the organization were on hand to welcome guests and to sell their 2008 "Men of Vallarta Calendar," which is on sale to raise funds for the group.
Pamela Thompson has been organizing the monthly Breakfast Club events for several years, and the event continues to grow in popularity. Each month, a different beneficiary charity is selected.
Past events have benefited local children's shelters and organizations dedicated to various health issues. Pamela is a nurse and local healthcare expert, and the founder of Healthcare Resources Puerto Vallarta. Services include English-speaking assistance on such matters as locating a physician in PV; information and assistance with medical insurance matters; and providing the community with access to personal support groups and up-to-date health information.
The February Breakfast Club beneficiary organization, Vallarta Enfrenta el SIDA, A.C. was formed in early 2007, and works closely with the CAPASITS HIV clinic located near El Pitillal at the Regional Hospital.
CAPASITS (acronym for Centro Ambulatorio para la Prevención y Atención de SIDA e Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual) provides HIV services for over 300 patients currently, and with the assistance of Vallarta Enfrenta el SIDA, their goal is to double the number of patients in treatment during the next three months.
It is unfortunately estimated that up to 80% of persons who are infected with HIV in the Bahía de Banderas region have not been tested, and do not know their status. The large majority of these persons are asymptomatic, as the incubation period before symptoms appear can be 8 to 10 years.
Besides providing a full-time psychologist dedicated to patient counseling, Vallarta Enfrenta el SIDA provides patients with medicines, laboratory studies, and even covers some administrative expenses at the CAPASITS Clinic.
In addition, they organize health fairs where HIV testing and counseling are provided, and they operate condom distribution and other prevention and education programs. Additional information may be found on the organization's website, VallartaEnfrentaSida.org or by calling their offices at (322) 223-0535. |
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