Whitman-Walker Clinic may reduce services (6360)

Washington, D.C.'s Whitman-Walker Clinic, one of the nation's largest medical facilities focusing on gay health and HIV/AIDS care, may be forced to reduce services if the clinic's October 5 AIDS Walk doesn't raise enough money, The Washington Post reports. About 2,300 people have signed up for this year's walk, down from 3,500 last year and well below a high of 30,000 walkers in 1999.

Clinic executive director A. Cornelius Baker said the clinic may have to cut services if the walk doesn't bring in its goal of about $850,000 in donations. "If the walk does not meet our expectations, we will be forced to make some very difficult decisions," he said.

A clinic spokesman said the agency has already cut more than $2 million from its current operating budget due to shortfalls in donations to the clinic. For more information about the AIDS Walk or to register for the fund-raiser, go online to www.aidswalkwashington.org.