February 23, 2012

The next seminar in the Positive Life Series will focus on HIV and Depression and will feature Dr. Neva Chaupette. 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 the event, sponsored by Jewish Family Services of the Desert, is always free. ASL translation will be provided. Questions? Email positivelifeseries@gmail.com, or call 760-566-6POZ (6769). However, YOU DO NOT NEED TO RSVP!

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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.

Tuesday, March 6 12:00 - 1:00 PM

Community Center Presents - Monica Lopez from

who will discuss Laws, Regulations and your Rights; Lunch starts at 11:45 AM. Please RSVP to Ray Robertson @ 760.323.2118 ext 295 or rrobertson@desertaidsproject.org

Friday, March 2 through April - 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Community Center Presents: Theater Improvisational Group for the Creative Writing Project for "The Poz Effect," directed by Skip Warren

Creators of the "The Poz Effect" (formerly titled "Tell Your Story") presentation are adding an improvisational component to their program. They are looking for a few committed people to join this group. Participants need to be able to walk without assistance and project their voices. Anyone who is a D.A.P. client or is living with HIV is welcome. The new members will add their own creative talents to this program, which has performed to two standing ovation previews for D.A.P. Future plans include performing for other community groups and a fully realized evening at a theater next fall (after a summer hiatus the program resumes in September). For more information contact Skip at 760.835.2492 or by email at Cletus.warren@yahoo.com.

Further improve the quality of your life through education!

Monday, Wednesday, & Friday, Noon - 12:45 PM

Community Center Presents: Guided Meditation and Affirmation meditate

These meditation sessions use guided imagery and affirmations as narrated by Belleruth Naparstek. You'll gain deeper relaxation, healing and wellness. Just show up to the Meditation Room on designated days and time.

Lower anxiety, stress and depression!

Every Thursday, 1:00 PM - Movie & Pizza

Community Center Presents: LET'S GO TO THE MOVIES

March 1st
YUMA (2007)

A small-time rancher agrees to hold a captured outlaw who's awaiting a train to go to court in Yuma. A battle of wills ensues as the outlaw tries to escape. Directed by James Mangold. Starring Russell Crowe, Christian Bale.

Come out for a good flick!

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.

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Ongoing Client Community Center activities include:

D.A.P. & Community News

D.A.P. Ryan White Client Satisfaction Surveys accepted until March 9

D.A.P. receives funding from the Ryan White program to link low-income people living with HIV/AIDS to services if they meet federally mandated eligibility criteria, and have no other insurance options. Our local Ryan White program office at the San Bernadino County Department of Public Health will be mailing out Client Satisfaction Surveys to D.A.P. clients who:

1.Have not opted out of receiving mail

2. Received any Ryan White-funded service this past program year

3.Are age 18 and over

Surveys will include a pre-paid return envelope. The survey is ANONYMOUS and OPTIONAL. Completing this survey is the client's choice. D.A.P. will never know who chose or chose not to participate. A client's eligibility for services is not affected by their choice either way. Surveys will be accepted until March 9, 2012. If you have chosen not to receive mail, printed copies will be made available shortly at D.A.P. (rv)

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This event is also sponsored by Walgreens! (rv)

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Beware of phony collection calls

Officials report that individuals falsely representing collection agencies are targeting unsuspecting individuals through intimidating telephone calls. The callers will state that an unpaid bill is due and will attempt to gain your personal information such as your social security number, drivers license number, or credit and bank account information. Do not share your information!

To protect yourself from this type of criminal activity:

Never provide your personal information to a caller.
Ask for written copies of any bills be mailed to you.
Request copies of original invoices for you to review.
Obtain the callers name, address and telephone number for your records.
Telephone the company the caller claims you owe a debt to and verify if the claim is legitimate. Do NOT use a telephone number provided by the caller to verify the debt.

The District Attorney's office recommends that everyone should obtain a copy of their credit report each year. The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 protects your right to receive a free copy. To order yours, call the Annual Credit Report Request Service at 1.877.322.8228. If you think you may be a victim of a scam, contact San Bernardino County Adult Protective Services (APS) at 877.565.2020, or your local police department. (rv)

New dance therapy program begins at D.A.P.

dancetherapygroup Our new Dance Therapy Group will start next week on Thursday, February 23 at 10 AM in the Zen Room (downstairs). We are excited to add this program to the many and varied groups we offer our clients. The new group will offer gentle and therapeutic methods of movement to music, connecting body, mind and spirit in healing ways. Clients with mobility issues can participate sitting in a chair or even their wheelchairs. For more information contact Ralph Gonzalez at 760.323.2118, ext. 703. (sb)

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HIV & Other Health News

HEP C killing more people than HIV

Hepatitis C has surpassed HIV as a killer of U.S. adults, and screening all "baby boomers" could be one way to stem the problem, according to two new government studies. Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by a virus of the same name that is usually passed through contact with infected blood . An estimated 75-85% of infections become chronic, which can eventually cause serious diseases like cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)

and liver cancer. In one of the newest studies, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that by 2007, hepatitis C was killing more Americans than HIV -- the virus that causes AIDS. Of the estimated 3.2 million Americans with chronic hepatitis infection, about half of them don't know it, according to the CDC. That's because the initial infection causes no symptoms in most cases. Instead, the virus silently damages the liver over the years, and people may only discover they are infected when they develop irreversible liver cirrhosis. Chronic hepatitis C is most common in "baby boomers" -- about two thirds of U.S. infections are in people born between 1945 and 1964. That predominance among boomers has a lot to do with casual injection-drug use back in the 1960s, 70s and 80s, since sharing tainted needles is a major route for passing on the virus. Right now, health officials recommend that certain people at increased risk have blood tests to be screened for hepatitis C. That includes anyone who's used injection drugs, people who received blood transfusions or organ transplants before 1992 and people with HIV. Before 1990, the infection was virtually incurable. Then researchers found that a combination of two medicines, interferon and ribavirin, could boost the cure rate to 45% ("cure" meaning the virus is cleared from the body). Read the full Chicago Tribune article. (rv)

Cautionary news: tenofovir may increase risk to kidneys

Tenofovir, in the form of Viread, Truvada and Atripla is one of the most commonly prescribed and effective antivirals available today. Unfortunately, a new study has suggested that long-term use of tenofovir, in any of its forms, may result in kidney damage. "Clinicians treating HIV-infected patients should recognize," said researchers, "that while traditional risk factors such as hypertension, older age, and diabetes may increase risk for kidney disease, tenofovir is associated with elevated risk even in patients without pre-existing kidney risk factors. [But] despite tenofovir's association with progressive kidney disease, it is an important component of effective antiretroviral therapy that may be required in many patients to control viral load. The balance between its efficacy and probable adverse effects requires further study." That last sentence is the one to take to your doctor. As always, DAPCAN advises readers to confer with your physician regularly about your medications, especially when any issues of side-effects or risk factors such as these become known. We will follow developments on this closely. Click here to read a summary of the study. (sb)

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Advocacy

President's budget demonstrates strong commitment to HIV/AIDS causes, even amid Republican criticism

2013 fy budget While President Obama's budget for fiscal 2013 faces many challenges from Republicans, it does demonstrate the Administration's ongoing commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS on a worldwide basis. It requests $1.65 billion toward the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, although funds earmarked exclusively toward AIDS issues are likely to be less than in past years. It's important to remember that any president's budget is simply the next fiscal year's starting point and it is Congress that decides final appropriations. In any event, the proposal does fulfill the president's pledge to seek $4 billion over three years for the Fund. Click here to read more. (sb)

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This & That

Have you seen our native friend?

The Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard is a small, highly specialized reptile that inhabits the windblown desert regions of the Coachella Valley, making it our neighbor and friend. It derives its common name not only from its home, but also from the enlarged scales along its toes. This lizard has adapted other unique forms and structures to enable it to survive in the harsh desert habitat including a wedged-shaped nose which enables it to burrow through loose, fine sand, elongated scales cover the ears to keep out blowing sand, and specialized nostrils that allow it to breathe below the sand without inhaling sand particles. It has a whitish or sand-colored back and belly, with a light pattern of eye-like markings that form shoulder stripes. Fringe-toed lizards average 6 to 9 inches in length. Breeding occurs from late April through mid-August

. Little is known about the location and timing of egg laying, however, hatchlings begin to appear from late June to early September. They hibernate during the winter and are most active during the daylight hours. When summer temperatures reach or exceed lethal limits, the lizard escapes from the heat by "swimming" or burrowing beneath the sand and restricts its activities to the early morning and late afternoon hours. The Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard is threatened by a continual loss of habitat from human development. The majority of the lizard's historic habitat has been eliminated or degraded because of the direct and indirect effects of development. Structures erected on the sand transport corridor areas and the introduction of non-native, invasive plant species, such as tamarisk, are stabilizing the once free moving sand deposits, preventing the continued replenishment of the "blowsand" habitat which the lizard relies on for its long-term survival. Protection of the sand source for the "blowsand" ecosystem on which the lizard depends is very important to the long-term conservation of this native desert species. If you want to help protect this beautiful creature, let your elected representative know that you care about it's long-term survival. (rv)

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Quote of the Week

Resources

Tax assistance

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D.A.P. Resources: website and toll-free number

Remember that the Desert AIDS Project toll-free phone number is always available at 866.331.3344, as is the website at www.desertaidsproject.org. (jl) handsomecomputer

DAPCAN archives now available online

Do you need to take another look at something you read in DAPCAN last month only to find that you 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)

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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)

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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)

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)

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:

For questions, comments, or unsubscribe contact us at: DAPCAN@DesertAIDSProject.org

Additional Contacts/Social Networking