The number of people participating in the annual AIDS Walk for Life has been dropping every year, but the need for awareness is as pressing as ever, say Craig Dales, who is helping to organize this ThursdayB次元官网网址檚 walk.

B次元官网网址淭he numbers year after year after year keep dropping and dropping,B次元官网网址� said Dales, executive director of Vancouver Island Persons Living with HIV/AIDS Society, which has 198 members.

B次元官网网址淎 lot of people are thinking that HIV isnB次元官网网址檛 a big issue B次元官网网址� but it still is, for sure.B次元官网网址�

While advancements have been made in medication, managing the disease still comes with many challenges, such as side effects to drugs and stigma, Dales said.

VPWAS hosts the walk along with the Victoria AIDS Resource and Community Service Society.

B次元官网网址淧eople are still being infected and ongoing support from the public is crucial,B次元官网网址� said Karen Dennis, executive director of VARCS.

The event begins at 5 p.m. at Centennial Square with speakers and entertainment. At 6 p.m. the walk begins, down Government Street to the legislature, where a closing ceremony takes place.

In 2010, there were 33 positive HIV tests on Vancouver Island, according to AIDS Vancouver Island.

Decades ago, gay men in their 30s were the most likely to be diagnosed, but today infection rates are up among youth, Dales said.

B次元官网网址淚n the last couple of weeks, IB次元官网网址檝e had several new members come in and theyB次元官网网址檝e all been in their early 20s,B次元官网网址� he said.

For more information, visit www.varcs.org.

rholmen@vicnews.com