Monday, February 21, 2011

President's Day holiday

Desert AIDS Project and LabCorp will be closed in observance of Presient's Day.  Walgeen's will be open regular hours. (jl)

Tuesday, February 22, 2011, 2:00 PM

Client Advocacy Committee special meeting

The newly restructured Client Advocacy Committee is holding a special meeting on Tuesday, February 22.  The committee is now directing its energies towards getting clients to become active advocates and is looking for motivated clients to join them to help solicit more funding, etc.  Join them on the 22nd to see how you can help.  Please also see the Advocacy section below for more information on how you can get involved. (jl)

Thursday, February 24 and Friday, February 25, 2011

No client services

There will be no client services offered next Thursday and Friday as all D.A.P. program staff will be off-site at a 2-day workshop.  The front reception desk, LabCorp and Walgreen's will be open for business but there will be no groups, computer lab, Community Center/movie, HIV Health Center, Dental Clinic, Case Management, etc.   Thursday HIV Testing will occur as normal. (jl)

Tuesday, March 1, 2011, 6:30 PM

Positive Life Series

The next Positive Life program will be Tuesday, March 1 at the Sinatra Auditorium at Desert Regional Hospital (on the corner of Tachevah & Miraleste)  Dr. Rick Loftus will talk about HPV, anal warts & cancer, and the Gardasil vaccine.  A light supper is served beginning at 6:00 PM, and the program begins at 6:30 PM.  ASL translation provided. Program sponsored by Jewish Family Service of the Desert.  Contact Jeff Taylor at jefftaylorps@gmail.com or 760.835.1926 for more information.  (jl)

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards Gala.  GO (lg)

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Tomorrow, Friday, February 18, Noon to 1:00 PM  

Community Center Presents - HIV & DIABETES

Please join us in the D.A.P. Community Center for this very important presentation on diabetes and HIV. Lunch will be served at 11:45 courtesy of ViiV. Please RSVP to Ed at 760.323.2118, ext. 295 or escarry@desertaidsproject.org. Take control!

As many of you know ADAP, Medicaid and Ryan White are all potentially on the chopping block in the next few years.  While President Obama has requested increases in HIV/AIDS funding in his 2012 budget, Republicans in the House of Representatives have proposed massive cuts to both domestic and global HIV/AIDS programs that will have severe ramifications to millions of people's lives both here in the United States and around the world.  GO  As you also know, California faces its own budget crisis that may result in cuts to funding.  As a result, now more than ever, there is a desperate need for clients to speak up and the Client Advocacy Committee has made this one of its primary goals. Please join them on Tuesday, February 22 at 2:00 PM to see how you can help. (jl)

What else can you do?

In addition to the D.A.P. Client Advocacy Committee clients can also advocate for funding priorities and allocation by becoming a member of the Inland Empire HIV Planning Council (IEHPC).  The council is involved with priority setting and resource allocation of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part A funds that are awarded to the Riverside/San Bernardino Transitional Grant Area.   Their decisions have a DIRECT impact on the level of funds awarded.  If you are interested you can visit them at www.iehpc.org, email them at  dtejada@dph.sbcounty.gov or call 909.388.0426 for more information.  There are also application forms in the D.A.P.front lobby located under "Forms" on the column opposite the front desk.  They will also have a representative in the D.A.P. front lobby on Wednesday, March 16 during food voucher distribution. Next Planning Council meeting is February 24th.  All are open to the public.  While this one is located at the Carousel Mall in San Bernardino, occasionally they are held here at D.A.P.  Client volunteers like you are urgently needed to advocate directly to the council for funding for our area!  (jl)

Action Alert - Call your representative now!

You can also be an advocate from the comfort of your home!  As you know, members of the House of Representatives have submitted a budget that proposes to slash funding to health programs and Ryan White programs might be included. These cuts could mean loss of access to key services like oral health, nutrition support and the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) for people living with HIV. The House will most likely be voting on these issues next week. As the House decides how to make these cuts tell them that the Ryan White Program needs more funding, not less. No cuts to Ryan White in 2011!

What You Can Do:

Call your Representative right now! Call toll-free: 1.800.828.0498 (or 1.202.224.3121). When you reach the Capitol Switchboard, ask to be connected to your Representative or Senator.  Tell your Members of Congress: 'Vote NO on any fiscal year 2011 continuing resolution that guts essential programs for people living with and at risk for HIV/AIDS.  These cuts won't fix our nation's fiscal mess, but they will unjustly sentence people living with HIV and other Americans in need to unnecessary hardship and suffering.'  Take Action Now! (jl) 

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Drug holidays/treatment interruption can cause long-term problems  

Lube Alert! 

While stressing that more research is needed, a forthcoming research report suggests a number of personal lubricants can damage anal tissue cells and increase HIV replication, potentially heightening the risk of contracting HIV, notably if condoms aren't used.  Click GO to read more. (jl)

Researchers may have discovered a new oral HCV compound

Scientists in the UK have developed a compound to combat the hepatitis C virus that could be taken as a pill.  A new compound would activate a protein in the immune system called TLR7 (toll-like receptor 7) which fights the infection. Toll-like receptors identify foreign DNA, such as a virus, and produce proteins that inhibit the virus' replication.   When they tested the compounds against a hepatitis C cell line, the team found that one of the compounds, a trifluoromethyl derivative, was highly selective for TLR7.  It also had comparable performance to injected alternatives at doses below 50mg.  (lg)  GO

Act by March 1 to get lower premiums for children's Health Care

If your children do not have health insurance, there are new options to obtain coverage for them, thanks to the federal and state health care reforms. And, if you act before March 1, you can take advantage of lower premiums offered during the initial open enrollment period.  Click GO for more information. (jl)

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"In executing the duties of my present important station, I can promise nothing but purity of intentions, and, in carrying these into effect, fidelity and diligence."  ~George Washington 

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