The McGregor Clinic, a non-profit health care clinic for Lee County residents living with HIV and AIDS, will host its first-ever “Bowl in Your Pajamas” event tonight.
Bowlers are encouraged to attend the event at 6 p.m. at the Friendship Lanes in Cape Coral. It costs $25 per person, which includes shoes and games, or a team of six can sponsor an entire lane for $100. While some people already registered, the games are open to anyone who wants to attend.
Proceeds from the event will benefit local people living with HIV and AIDS through the McGregor Clinic’s social services.
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 60,000 people are diagnosed with HIV every day in the United States. The local clinic estimates there are approximately 3,500 people living with the disease in Southwest Florida, and infection rates continue to climb.
“They are going up considerably, the message is still not getting out there that this is preventable,” said Sharon Murphy, executive director of the McGregor Clinic. “They can prevent it with common sense behavior.
The clinic is also celebrating its 10th anniversary this weekend. It started in Nov. 15, 1999 with only one doctor, one nurse and 130 clients. Today, the number of staff has increased and it now works with 685 clients, said Murphy.
“The unique part of the clinic is that it’s founded and governed by the clients who use it,” she said.
Through a grant received over the summer, the clinic has partnered with Source of Light to begin community outreach. The clinic already provides primary medical care, case management, on-site laboratory, community education programs, HIV testing, counseling, a food bank and clothes closet.
“They are doing the outreach and as they identify someone who needs service, we partner with them,” she said.
Even though the event is called “Bowl in Your Pajamas,” guests don’t have to wear pajamas. Murphy said they are asking for bowlers to dress casually and comfortably. For more information about the event, call 334-9555.