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DAPCAN
Desert AIDS Project - Community Action Newsletter
July 21, 2011
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Editorial Staff
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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, 8:00 PM - Midnight
Time Warp - Mid-Summer Dance Party IV
 It's finally here! The cult-classic Rocky Horror Picture Show will be the theme for Desert AIDS Project's fourth annual Summer Mixer at the Commune at the ACE Hotel & Swim Club, at 8:00 PM this Saturday, July 23. DJ Corey D from PNN Radio will spin music for a crowd of up to 500 revelers! Your $45 admission gets you cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, entertainment plus complimentary membership in Red Band with year-round benefits! And don't forget to email Ray at rrobertson@desertaidsproject.org with your name and contact information if you want to be entered in the drawing for free tickets. Look for the flyer around the agency along with entry forms. Click here for more details and to order tickets. (jl)
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| Community Center Events | |
 The Client Community Center hosts regular activities events every week (listed below). Community Center special events and other activities are now listed under the main D.A.P. website. Click here for the complete list of upcoming special events.
August 1 through September 5, 1:00 - 2:30 PM
Community Center Presents:
THE WRITER'S WAY TO A BETTER YOU
Please join us in the D.A.P. Community Center for this six-week creative writing course. Join Instructor Ted Luciani as he helps you channel your creativity through poetry and prose. Please RSVP to Ray at 760.323.2118, ext. 295 or rrobertson@desertaidsproject.org
This class is limited to 10 participants so sign up now!
Regular Client Community Center activities include:
- Support groups
- Spiritual Living 101
- Hepatitis C Therapy Education
- Diabetes Education
- Community Center Computer Lab
- Lending Library
- Free films, Thursdays, 1:00 PM
Follow this link to see the recurring activities on the Community Center Calendar.
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Young AIDS activist Hydeia Broadbent to receive Partners in Activism Award at 2012 Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards
When she said, "I am the future and I have AIDS" at the 1996 Republican National Convention, 12-year-old Hydeia Broadbent drastically changed perceptions about her once-fatal disease. Born in 1984 (the same year Desert AIDS Project began), she had inherited HIV in utero from her crack-addicted mother. Among the first generation of people born HIV-positive, Broadbent has been an activist for most of her young life, appearing on The Oprah Winfrey Show, 20/20 and Good Morning America. Not since Ryan White has a young person spoken out so passionately about having the virus and fighting the fear and stigma that still surround it. In February 2012, Broadbent will receive the Partners in Activism Award as part of the annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards. We'll bring you more about this remarkable young woman in coming months. (sb)
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How can we improve client services at D.A.P.?
 One of the primary functions of the Client Advocacy Committee (CAC) is monitoring client suggestions. Each month the committee reviews the suggestions from the lobby boxes. In recent months, the committee has addressed suggestions concerning Ryan White/client eligibility issues and changes in staffing at the Health Center. If you have a suggestion or comment that you think would improve client services, CAC would like to hear from you. Suggestion forms are available at the main reception desk and in the hallway outside the Client Community Center. You can also address CAC at its meetings on the first Tuesday of each month at 2:00 PM in the D.A.P. Community Center or email the CAC secretary at Cletus.Warren@yahoo.com. (jl)
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Fun and remembrance
 We loved them and then lost them so near to each other that we couldn't resist one more farewell photo of two great ladies together. Both Elizabeth Taylor and Betty Ford will long be remembered as unforgettable supporters of D.A.P. and the HIV/AIDS community. (sb) Back to top |
U.S. Senate confirms first openly gay man to federal bench 
The Senate made history on Monday by confirming J. Paul Oetken (pictured) to the federal judiciary. Other gay men and lesbians have served as judges, but Oetken is the first to go through the nomination and confirmation process as an out gay person. Read more here at The Washington Blade. (sb)
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Broadway music legend Jerry Herman turns 80
Famed Broadway composer, multiple Tony winner and longtime HIV survivor Jerry Herman recently became an octogenarian and one of the oldest celebrities to frankly discuss his experiences and actitivies in living with HIV for more than 20 years. The whole world knows his music and of course, songs from Hello, Dolly!, Mame and La Cage Aux Folles have become gay community anthems. Click here to read more about Herman's life and encouraging story. (sb)
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World snapshot: Successes and failures of AIDS fight
The world has made tremendous progress in fighting AIDS, but as this chart shows, we have a long way to go. Click here for a larger, higher resolution image and more about this graphic. (sb) Back to top |
Cautious optimism on "PrEP" therapy
Two African studies of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) may provide additional evidence that antiretroviral drugs can reduce HIV transmission between heterosexuals at higher risk of HIV. Adherence to a course of Truvada and Viread showed a 63 percent reduction of HIV transmission among test participants. Such results suggest potential to reduce, but certainly not eliminate, AIDS in Africa, where infection is primarily through heterosexual sex. Click here to read the report. While the Centers for Disease Control lauded the study, others in the U.S. are more skeptical. See the following article for another point of view. (sb)
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Editor of POZ questions "PrEP" study
 Regan Hofmann (pictured), editor of POZ magazine, has expressed doubts about the value of the "PrEP" study described above. Hofman, who is HIV-positive, raises several concerns, quite reasonably pointing out the logistical and financial challenges of providing prophylactic medication to populations who are not even infected, however at risk. Read her concerns here. (sb)
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Anderson Cooper's roundup show on 30 years of AIDS While this special, "Defining Moments," ran on CNN some months ago, it's worth another look as it recounts stories from many well-known researchers, activists and celebrities about how they reacted to loved ones with AIDS, and what they have (or haven't) done to help fight the disease over the years. Click here for links to the videos. (sb)
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Tell us your story
 Just like you, your editors have been through it and lived to write about it. In our ongoing series highlighting 30 years of AIDS, we've run a couple of stories on fellow survivors, one or two local, some from elsewhere. But since we prefer to focus on D.A.P. clients, we'd like to hear from you. What did you go through upon diagnosis, starting meds, becoming ill? What were reactions from family, friends? We all have our own individual stories and we'd like to run some of them here at DAPCAN. Of course, the more unusual and instructive the better, but if you're an HIV/AIDS veteran, have worked on the front lines, or have any interesting tale to tell, we'd love to hear it and publish it. Please email us at info@desertaidsproject.com with anything you'd like to share and a photo too! (sb)
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Call your senators and representatives to ensure protection of Social Security and Medicare
 At this writing, there is still no agreement between Congress and the Administration on the debt ceiling/deficit reduction talks and proposed cuts to entitlement programs including Social Security and Medicare. Apparently, everything is "still on the table." We're all for controlling spending and addressing the deficit, but not on the backs of those who in good faith paid into Social Security and now rely upon it for survival. It may not help much but it can't hurt for as many people as possible to contact their senators and congresspersons and remind them how important these programs are for those living with HIV/AIDS (see contact information at the end of this newsletter). And click this link to sign a national petition conveying these messages. (jl) (sb)
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D.A.P. working with California HIV Alliance to prevent premature transition into low income health programs (LIHPs) for people with HIV
The California HIV Alliance and D.A.P. have requested suspension of any mandated transfer of persons with HIV into Low Income Health Programs (LIHPs) until federal, state and local partners have had adequate time to plan and prepare for a safe and thoughtful transition of this population into Medi-Cal. Both organizations want to prevent any disruption or potential for adverse effects on HIV-positive people currently relying on other programs. However, these changes are still in discussion and DAPCAN will follow and report developments as they occur. (sb) Back to top |
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Free POZ Life Weekend Seminar in Long Beach
 The POZ Life Weekend Seminar is a place where compassion, education, community and love is offered unconditionally. It's a place where HIV-positive men, women, youths and family members can come be themselves, feel comforted and supported in their effort to learn how to either live a long healthy productive POZitive lifestyle, or help someone they know and love overcome the fears associated with being HIV-positive. The next seminar is August 27 - 28 in the Long Beach area. To register, log onto www.TheLifeGroupLA.org for an online reservation form and they will contact you to complete your registration. Or call Sunnie Rose at 888.208.8081. Come to the seminar, then go visit the Queen Mary! (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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Help with 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 older LGBT adults. The center is led by Services & Advocacy for LGBT Elders (SAGE) in partnership with 10 leading organizations from around the country. Its website offers information on everything from health and wellness to elder abuse. It is also an excellent resource for those aging with HIV. (jl)
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"Go without hate, but not without rage. Then heal the world."
--Paul Monette |
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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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