|
DAPCAN
Desert AIDS Project - Community Action Newsletter
January 19, 2012
|
|
|
 Welcome to Paradise! |
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, February 7, 6:00 PM
A Positive Life - The Series
 The next seminar in the Positive Life Series will feature new Hepatitis C (HCV) treatment options. Speakers will include Dr. David Wyles, (UCSD) and Tracy Swan from Treatment Action Group (T.A.G.). A light supper will be served at 6:00 PM, and the program will begin at 6:30 PM. The location is the Sinatra Auditorium at Desert Regional Medical Center (at the corner of Tachevah and Via Miraleste in Palm Springs), and is always free. ASL translation will be provided. Please email or call Jeff Taylor at jefftaylorps@gmail.com, or 760.835.1926, with any questions. However, YOU DO NOT NEED TO RSVP! (jl)Saturday, February 11, 6:00 PM
Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards
 Click here for information and tickets. (jl)
|
| Community Center Events | |
The Client Community Center hosts regular activities and events every week (listed below). Community Center special events and other activities can now be found on the main D.A.P. website. Click here for the complete list of upcoming special events.
Wednesday, January 25, Noon - 1:00 PM
Community Center Presents - a luncheon presentation
LEARN TO LIVE THROUGH CANCER: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW AND DO
Meet author, Stewart B. Fleishman, M.D. and learn how to take charge of your recovery and start to feel better right away, avoid fatigue & weight changes before they start, and learn from the experiences of patients who have finished treatment. Lunch will be served at 11:45 AM. RSVP to Ray Robertson @ (760) 323-2118 ext: 295 or by email at rrobertson@desertaidsproject.org by 3:00 PM, Tuesday, January 24th.
Show up and learn!
Every Thursday, 1:00 PM - Movie & Pizza
Community Center Presents - LETS GO TO THE MOVIES
Thursday, January 26 - Catch Me If You Can (2002).
 A true story about Frank Abagnale Jr. who, before his 19th birthday, successfully conned millions of dollars worth of checks. Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. Come out for a good flick!
Ongoing Client Community Center activities include:
- Support groups
- Spiritual Living 101
- Hepatitis C Therapy Education
- Diabetes Education
- Stitch in Time (needlecraft), Wednesdays, 10:00 AM
- 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.
|
The Client Advocacy Committee needs volunteers for new focus groups
 Would you like to help improve services at Desert AIDS Project? The Client Advocacy Committee (CAC) is looking for clients who fall into the various categories listed below to invite to focus groups to help improve services Desert AIDS Project:
Group 1: Clients who have only been served by D.A.P.
Group 2: Clients served by other HIV service provider(s) prior to coming to D.A.P.
Group 3: Women clients
Group 4: Minorities/People of color
If you fall into one or more of these categories and would like to be a client advocate for improved services at D.A.P. please contact Robin Johnson at rjohnson@desertaidsproject.org or at 760.323.2118. (jl)
=================================================================
The Client Advocacy Committee (C.A.C.) at Desert AIDS Project is a group of D.A.P. clients who endeavor to:
- Help D.A.P. improve their services to clients through client suggestions and comments;
- Advocate for funding for all people with HIV/AIDS;
- Educate and increase awareness of services offered to clients through D.A.P.
Clients are encouraged to give suggestion and comments to the C.A.C. These cards are available in the hallway at D.A.P. and at the front desk. They are collected by C.A.C. members, not staff. The C.A.C. reviews all comments and suggestions and discusses new ideas during their meeting, deciding how best to take action. All actionable items are brought forward to D.A.P. staff for brainstorming and planning. All individuals who drop off cards are responded to with an update if they have left contact information. If the card is a grievance, it is given directly to staff to be dealt with in a formal grievance procedure by D.A.P. staff.(rv)(jl)
|
|
D.A.P. Creative Writing Group - an encore performance!
 The D.A.P. Creative Writing Group is still going strong! In December, the group presented a preview of "Our Story" which gives a glimpse into the lives of long-term survivors of HIV/AIDS. Over 50 people attended the event, many visiting D.A.P. for the first time. Writers Timothy Hobson, Ted Kristian, Frank Culberson and writer/director Skip Warren read the first section of their work in progress. Due to the response of the audience, which included some D.A.P. staff, the group has been invited to present the preview again... this time for the full staff of D.A.P.! This group is a wonderful opportunity to raise awarness of what it's like to have HIV today. The group will continue with their plan to eventually create a fully realized theatrical production for the greater Palm Springs community. The group is still looking for additional writers/performers to add to a longer script. They will also be doing theater improvisation for planned new sections. Please contact Skip Warren for more information at cletus.warren@yahoo.com or 760.835.2492. (jl)
|
DAPCAN Archives now available online
 Did you need to take another look at something that you read in DAPCAN last month only to find that you had already deleted the issue from your inbox? Now you can find past DAPCAN issues online by clicking this link. As always, you can also read the most current edition of DAPCAN, on the D.A.P. website by visiting www.desertaidsproject.org/newsletter. (jl)
|
Tour de Palm Springs
 If you and your bike would like to participate in Tour de Palm Springs (the annual bicycle tour/ride that benefits many organizations, including Desert AIDS Project), now is the time to sign up here. The ride will be February 11, 2012 and you can designate D.A.P. as your beneficiary charity. (sb) |
Improper use of a Neti Pot can be fatal
 With cold and flu season upon us, a word of warning for those of us that use Neti Pot type sinus rinses. Two Louisiana residents died of a rare brain infection after they used tap water instead of boiled or bottled water in Neti Pots. Remember to use only distilled, sterile or previously boiled water to make up the irrigation solution. Read more here. (jl)
Back to top
|
A plant based solution to chronic HIV-associated diarrhea?
 While HIV-associated diarrhea is not the problem it once was, chronic diarrhea still affects thousands of HIV-positive people in the United States and millions of people in other parts of the world. Salix Pharmaceuticals recently announced that it has submitted a New Drug Application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting approval for Crofelemer, a novel therapy for HIV-associated diarrhea. Crofelemer, which is based on a plant native to South America and is being sustainably harvested by growers there, acts by a different mechanism than current anti-diarrheal medications. Rather than being taken up systemically into the whole body, it acts locally in the gut and helps regulate the amount of water in the intestines. It also doesn't interact with other medications. You can read more here. (jl)
Back to top
|
Experimental vaccine partially protects monkeys from HIV-like infection
New vaccine research in monkeys suggests that scientists are homing in on the critical ingredients of a protective HIV vaccine and identifies new HIV vaccine candidates to test in human clinical trials. Read more here. (jl)
Back to top
|
A new epidemic - prescription painkiller overdose
 The United States is facing an epidemic: prescription painkiller abuse and overdose. According to a report released from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of overdose deaths from prescription painkillers has tripled in the last decade. The CDC notes that a big part of the problem is the nonmedical use of prescription painkillers... the use of drugs without a prescription, or using them just to get high. In 2010, nearly 12 million Americans over 12 years of age reported nonmedical use of prescription painkillers at least once over the past year. Read more here. (jl)
Back to top
|
Is a low viral load enough for successful HIV therapy?
Suppressing viral load to below 50 copies/ml may not be enough to ensure the long-term success of antiretroviral therapy, according to a UK study published in the March edition of Clinical Infectious Diseases. Using ultra-sensitive viral load assays, investigators at the Royal Free Hospital, London, found that patients with a viral load between 40 to 49 copies/ml were significantly more likely to experience a rebound in viral load. Read more here. (jl)
Back to top
|
| City of Palm Springs featured in LA Times travel section
 For those of us lucky enough to live here full time it's easy for us to forget that we live in a vacation paradise. Last Sunday's travel section of the Los Angeles Times was a good reminder of just how much Palm Springs has to offer. In addition to pointing out how the city has reinvented itself with its retro-chic look, striking scenery, hip hotels and restaurants, the article also highlighted some benefits that locals can enjoy such as a number of local restaurants (including LULU, pictured here) with entrees for less than $10. The article also featured a list of ten fun things you can do for FREE! See the full article and pictures here. (jl)
Back to top
|
|
The LGBT Center of Palm Springs - Not just for seniors any more
 The Golden Rainbow Senior Center is now The LGBT Center of Palm Springs, aka, The Center. The mission of The Center is to enrich the lives of the LGBT community. A thriving, community-based organization, the Center provides a safe and supportive environment for members to enjoy health, wellness, educational and social programs, where people of all ages and backgrounds are welcome. The Center advances its mission through senior programming, a clinical counseling and internship program, a weekly food bank, extensive social and recreational offerings, a free community cyber center, a growing volunteer program and periodic special events in the community. They also offer day trips, computer classes, exercise classes, support groups, and more. (Your editor is currently enrolled in a Beginning Spanish class!) For more information, visit their website. (jl)
Back to top
|
| "My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four. Unless there are three other people."
~Orson Welles
"The trouble with quotes on the internet is that it's difficult to determine whether or not they are genuine."
~Abraham Lincoln
|
|
Editors note: To improve your reading experience, the recurring Benefits & Resources section will now be at the end of the newsletter, after the Quote of the Week. (jl)
|
|
Discounted gym memberships for D.A.P. clients
 Maybe your New Year's resolution involves getting back to the gym. Did you know that several of the area gyms offer discounted memberships to D.A.P. clients? World Gym in Palm Springs and WorkOUT Gym (a new gay men's gym located behind Toucan's) both offer D.A.P. discounts. Keep this in mind when choosing where you will work out and be sure you ask about the discount when signing up as the savings can be significant. And take it from your editors--even on days you don't feel up to the gym, you never regret going afterward! (jl)
Back to top
|
D.A.P. Resources: website and toll-free number
 Remember that the Desert AIDS Project toll-free
|
|
Medically Indigent Services Program (MISP)
AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP)
For those who qualify, medical care and help paying for your medications are available through the MISP and ADAP programs. You can find out if you qualify by scheduling an appointment by calling the numbers below. You can schedule your MISP and ADAP appointments together for Moreno Valley office ONLY. If you qualify for ADAP only, there is a local ADAP office right here at Desert AIDS Project. Specify the Palm Springs office when you call to make your appointment. Here are the numbers:
877.501.5085 - toll free
951.486.5375 - English
951.486.5400 - Spanish
951.486.4635 - fax
NOTICE: Faxed MISP applications can get lost in the process. Most persons who have faxed their application have had to re-apply later. It's best to apply in person in Moreno Valley, and get a "receipt of application", and use that as proof that you applied to avoid any uninterrupted services with your DAP medical doctor visits. (rv) (jl)
Back to top |
|
ADAP may pay Medicare Part D premium
ADAP-eligible clients who have to purchase Part D prescription drug coverage may qualify to have their Part D premium paid by the State of California. Follow this link to the Part D Premium Payment Program Application. You can also call the State of California at 916.449.5900 for more information. (jl)
Back to top
|
|
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)
Back to top
|
|
To contact state and federal officials click on name:
President Barack Obama
Senator Diane Feinstein
Senator Barbara Boxer
Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack
Congressman Jerry Lewis
Governor Jerry Brown
State Senator Bill Emmerson
State Senator Juan Vargas
Assembly member Brian Nestande
Assembly member Manual Perez
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:
|
|
|
Additional Contacts/Social Networking
| |
|
|
|
|
|
number is always available at