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DAPCAN
Desert AIDS Project - Community Action Newsletter
June 23, 2011
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June 27 is National HIV Testing Day
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Editorial Staff | |
David Brinkman
Chief Executive Officer
Barry Dayton
Director of Marketing and Communications
Alexis Ortega
Interactive Marketing
Specialist
Rick Vila
Volunteer Co-editor
John Lewis
Volunteer Co-editor
Steve Bolerjack
Volunteer Co-editor
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Save the Date
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Saturday, July 23, 2011, 8:00 PM - Midnight
Time Warp - Mid-Summer Dance Party IV
Let's do the Time Warp again!!
The cult-classic "Rocky Horror Picture Show" is the theme for Desert AIDS Project's fourth annual Summer Mixer at the Commune at the ACE Hotel & Swim Club, beginning at 8:00 PM on Saturday, July 23. Whether it's "just a jump to the left and then a step to the right" or you bust out your own signature dance moves, you'll love the music spun by DJ Corey D from PNN Radio as you join the crowd of up to 500 revelers! "We're hoping to see lots of Rocky Horror costumes because this will definitely be THE summer party,' say event co-chairs Scott Hines and Kimberly Nichols. "Where else can you get all you can eat and drink PLUS dancing to a live DJ who will keep you grooving all night for such a low price? And it's all to benefit a great organization!" Your $45.00 admission gets you hosted cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, live DJ, entertainment PLUS complimentary membership in Red Band with year round benefits! Click here for more details and to order tickets. (jl)
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| Community Center Events | |
The Community Center hosts regular activities and events every week. Special featured events are listed below. For the complete calendar of upcoming events, just click GO.
Friday, June 24, Noon - 1:00 PM
Community Center Presents - INTERNATIONAL ADHERENCE CONFERENCE
Please join us in the D.A.P. Community Center for this informative luncheon / presentation on the latest news from the International Adherence Conference. Lunch will be served at 11:45 courtesy of Tibotec. Please RSVP to Ed at 760.323.2118 ext 295, or escarry@desertaidsproject.org. Stay on track!
Tuesday June 28, Noon - 1:00 PM
Community Center Presents - ALL ABOUT ANOSCOPIES
Please join us in the D.A.P. Community Center for this educational luncheon / presentation with D.A.P.'s own Medical Case Manager, Alex Monteiro, LVN. Lunch will be served at 11:45. Please RSVP to Ed at 760.323.2118, ext. 295 or escarry@desertaidsproject.org.
Be your own advocate!
Thursdays 1:00PM
Community Center Presents - LET'S ALL GO TO THE MOVIES
June 30 - SIDEWAYS (2004)
Two men reaching middle age with not much to show but disappointment, embark on a week long road trip through California's wine country, just as one is about to take a trip down the aisle.
Please join us in the D.A.P. Community Center for movie screenings every Thursday starting at 1:00 PM. Free pizza, salad, sweets, and drinks provided. Roll film!
Regular recurring Community Center activities include:
- Support groups
- Spiritual Living 101
- Hepatitis C Therapy Education
- Diabetes Educatiion
- Community Center Computer Lab
- Lending Library
To see the Community Services Wing calendar of support groups/activities, click here.
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National HIV Testing Day at D.A.P.
Monday, June 27, is National HIV Testing Day. Desert AIDS Project will be holding extended testing hours at the main campus, 1695 North Sunrise, Palm Springs, from 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM. There will also be extended testing hours at the Indio location, 81-880 Dr Carreon, Suite B107, Indio, CA 92201 from 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM where there will also be $10 gas cards offered to those who are eligible. Additionally, D.A.P. will be hosting a luncheon entitled "HIV Awareness" at noon on Monday the 27th. The luncheon is sponsored by Serenity Hospice, who will be inviting staff members of local senior living facilities. Their attendance will earn them one hour of Continuing Education credit and, hopefully, help them to better understand the needs of PLWHA who come to them for services. (jl)
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Celebrate LGBT Pride Month at the Tolerance Education Center
The Tolerance Education Center in Rancho Mirage is holding a series of presentations, receptions, panels and a play this week to address issues facing the LGBT community. The four-day event starts today and concludes on Sunday with a picnic. The events are free and are open to the public. The center is located at 35-147 Landy Lane, Rancho Mirage, CA. Visit their website or call 760.328.8252 for more information. (jl)
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How to survive the summer heat
 Now that the temperature is hovering around 110+ there are some simple things you can do to deal with the summer heat:
- Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat, or use an umbrella for shade.
- Limit outdoor activities to the cooler morning or evening hours.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose clothing.
- Slow down-rest in the shade or a cool place when possible.
- Never leave a child, elderly, disabled person, or animal alone in a vehicle.
- Check on your friends and neighbors who are elderly or have medical conditions or at higher risk for problems when it is very hot.
- Turn on your air conditioner. If you do not have an air conditioner, use a fan and keep your curtains/blinds drawn during the heat of the day.
- Take a cool shower or bath.
- Visit a friend with air conditioning or a mall, library or a senior center.
- Visit a local County of Riverside Cool Center.
- Visit the D.A.P. client Community Center for any of the various scheduled activities or just stop by and cool off during drop-in hours. (jl)
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Resources for healthy aging
 The National Resource Center on LGBT Aging is the country's first and only technical assistance resource center aimed at improving the quality of services and supports offered to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults. The center is led by Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) in partnership with 10 leading organizations from around the country. Their website offers information on everything from health and wellness to elder abuse. They are also an excellent resource for those aging with HIV. (jl)
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A look back: Testing wasn't always an option
 June 27, National HIV Testing Day, is an annual observance to promote HIV testing. As testing becomes more routine it's easy to forget that 30 years ago a test for HIV hadn't yet been invented. When first discovered in 1981, AIDS, or GRID (Gay Related Immune Deficiency as it was known then), was a medical mystery. It wasn't until 1983 when HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) was first identified and another two, very long years before the first antibody test was approved by the FDA. The creation of "the test" was considered a major milestone in the treatment and prevention of AIDS. Since 1985, testing has improved from the ELISA test (where patients often had to wait a week or more for results) to rapid-result tests where results can be obtained in about 20 minutes. You can now even test in the privacy of your home. If you would like to know more about the history behind HIV testing, the Kaiser Family Foundation has prepared a fact sheet that you can view here. (jl)
Another perspective-
Why Aren't More Americans Getting Screened For HIV? (jl)
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Panel issues new guidelines on ideal vitamin D levels
An expert panel has issued new recommendations suggesting that people with HIV might require two to three times the level of vitamin D as their HIV-negative peers. The new guidelines also recommend supplementation of higher doses of vitamin D than another recent government panel. Read more here. (jl)
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Vacations and retreats for people with HIV/AIDS
 With summer here, many folks with chronic health issues may simply need to get away! But finding appropriate destinations and manageable activities can be complicated for people living with HIV/AIDS. Increasingly, there are more options available designed for them, from camping to cruising, from rafting to riding. Some activities are for HIV-positive folks only, which can help make socializing easier and eliminate the need to explain oneself. Click here and here for links and more information. One of our favorites is San Francisco-based Healing Waters Wilderness Adventures. Click here for its rafting/kayaking information. (sb)
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Demand President Obama intervene to save ADAP
On this, the 30th year of the AIDS epidemic, our country is at a perilous time in the fight against HIV/AIDS. ADAP and other life-saving HIV/AIDS programs across the country are being reduced or eliminated. Although California does not have an ADAP waiting list at this time there are over 8400 people on waiting lists in other states. Please sign this petition asking President Obama, Secretary Sebelius of Health and Human Services, and Congress to intervene in this public health crisis and find the money needed to fully fund ADAP. (jl)
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AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) phone numbers
ADAP for Riverside County has a new fax number. Clients can now fax their verifications to the Moreno Valley office at 951.486.4434. You can also contact the County of Riverside directly at 951.486.5400 to make an ADAP appointment or get more information. (jl)
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Call 211 for essential human services in Riverside County
2-1-1 is a toll-free service for residents looking for information about essential human services such as affordable housing, food pantries, help for an aging parent, free or low cost health services, addiction prevention programs, employment, support groups, volunteer opportunities, and 1,700 additional services! (jl)
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"Samantha: Have you all had an AIDS test?
Carrie: Good morning... and where did that come from?
Samantha: I just met this very hot guy and he won't sleep with me, unless I have a test.
Charlotte: Samantha, we're looking at wedding gowns, could you please not talk about AIDS right now?
Carrie: Wait, you've never had an HIV test?
Samantha: No! Have you?
Carrie: Two.
Miranda: Three. How can you not have had an AIDS test?
Carrie: She doesn't mean that the way it sounds. It's just that, well, why not, sweetie?
Samantha: I always practice safe sex.
(Carrie stares at her)
Samantha: Alright, I'm terrified. What if I have it?
Carrie: You don't have it.
Samantha: Sometimes, it takes me a really long time to get over a cold.
Carrie: That's not AIDS, that's central air."
-- A perspective on HIV testing from the ladies of Sex and the City.
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Desert AIDS Project - Community Action Newsletter (DAPCAN) presents published material, reprinted with permission, and neither endorses or opposes any material. All information contained in this newsletter, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. Always discuss treatment options with a physician who specializes in treating HIV. Publication of the name or likeness of any individual in articles in this newsletter is not to be construed as any indication of the HIV status of such individual. If you do not wish to receive this e-newsletter, please notify us by using the email address below.
For questions, comments, or unsubscribe contact us at : DAPCAN@DesertAIDSProject.org
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