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DAPCAN
Desert AIDS Project Community Action Newsletter
March 8, 2012
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this week in Seattle:
Conference on
Retroviruses &
Opportunistic Infections
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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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Saturday, March 31, 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Third Annual Celebrity Doodles to benefit D.A.P.
 Celebrity Doodles has become an annual opportunity to mingle among some of your favorite stars in an evening of fun, food and festivities. Afterward, the proceeds of both silent and live auctions of art by some of these celebrities will be donated to the Desert AIDS Project. This year will feature performances by Suzanne Somers, Lorna Luft and Meredith Patterson. Click here for the event website, a list of celebrities expected to attend and more information. (sb) |
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Tuesday, April 3, 6:00 PM
A Positive Life - The Series: What's New in HIV? - An Update from the 2012 Retrovirus Conference
 The next seminar in the Positive Life Series will bring the latest information from CROI 2012, the 19th Annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections being held this week in Seattle, Washington. Drs. John Stansell and Clayton Barbour will be the featured speakers. 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
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Thursday, April 26, breakfast, lunch & dinner
Dining Out for Life
 You can support HIV/AIDS services at Desert AIDS Project simply by dining at any of the Dining Out for Life participating restaurants throughout the Coachella Valley on Thursday, April 26! Follow this link for more information and a list of participating restaurants. (jl)
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| D.A.P. Community Center Events | |
The D.A.P. 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.
Every Wednesday, starting March 14, 10:00 - 11:30 AM
Community Center Presents: PATHWAYS TO HOPE - A DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY SUPPORT GROUP
 This group will discuss ways to deal with anxiety and depression. You will learn coping skills and ways of experiencing a better quality of life! Group will meet in the Walgreens Room in the Community Center. For questions or more information contact: Melanie Wolfe, Ph.D, LMFT at 760.323.2118, ext. 247.
You don't have to do it alone!
Tuesday, March 20, Noon - 1:00 PM
Community Center and Gilead Sciences, Inc. Present:
HIV AND YOUR HEART
Mike Roy will discuss the effects of HIV on your heart and cardiovascular health. Lunch will start at 11:45 AM. RSVP to Ray at 760.323.2118, ext. 295 or at
rrobertson@desertaidsproject.org.
Improve your health through education!
Starting Wednesday March 21, 10:00 - 11:30 AM in the Computer Lab
Community Center Presents: COMPUTER COACHING CLASSES - LEARN BASIC COMPUTER SKILLS!
 Need to learn or brush up on your computer skills? Come to our three-lesson course. You MUST sign up for all three consecutive Wednesdays from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM, beginning March 21, concluding April 4. Topics will include introductions to Windows, the Internet and email. Computer availability is limited so please contact Ray at 760.323.2118, ext. 295 or at rrobertson@desertaidsproject.org.
Improve your quality of life through education!
Fridays through April, 2:30 - 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). And watch for details on the group's upcoming reading at the Sinatra Auditorium at Desert Regional Medical Center on Thursday, April 19 at 7:00 PM. For more information contact Skip at 760.835.2492 or by email at Cletus.warren@yahoo.com.
Every Thursday, 1:00 PM - Movie & Pizza
Community Center Presents: LET'S GO TO THE MOVIESMarch 15, - P.S., I Love You (2007)
 A young widow discovers that her late husband has left her ten letters intended to help ease her pain and start a new life. Starring Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler. Directed by Richard LaGravenese.
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.
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Second Annual HIV/AIDS Conference - featuring the "Berlin Patient"
 The HIV Provider Network will hold its Second Annual HIV Conference in the Coachella Valley on Saturday, March 10 at the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at Eisenhower Medical Center. Free and open to the public, the conference will be held from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with registration starting at 7:30 AM. The deadline for reserved meals has passed but lunches will be available on a walk-in basis for $5.00 purchase and anyone can still attend the conference. For more information, please call 760.282.HIV1 (4481) or visit www.sites.google.com/site/hivprovidernetwork. This year, the HIV Provider Network is proud to announce that Timothy Brown, the first human cured of AIDS, will join the conference as guest panelist. Known worldwide as the "Berlin Patient," Brown's story serves as a remarkable account of the power of science as well as a message of hope for those battling the disease. HIV/AIDS experts from Eisenhower Medical Center, Clínicas De Salude, ABC Recovery Center and other organizations will participate in discussions that include bone health and nutrition, HIV and street drugs and an HIV/AIDS research panel. Walgreens and Riverside County organized the Provider Network committee, which includes Eisenhower Medical Center, Walgreens, Riverside County, Bienestar and others. (jl)
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D.A.P. Client Satisfaction Surveys - due tomorrow!
If you received the D.A.P. Client Satisfaction Survey from the Ryan White program at the San Bernadino County Department of Public Health, and have not yet completed it, tomorrow March 9 is the deadline. The survey is an opportunity for clients to comment about the services they receive at D.A.P. and is ANONYMOUS and OPTIONAL. D.A.P. will never know who chose or chose not to participate and a client's eligibility for services is not affected by their choice either way. Please return your survey to D.A.P. by tomorrow! This survey can be an important factor in future D.A.P. funding. (jl)
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Discounts at Revivals!
 Did you know that Revivals stores offers 10% discounts for "seniors" every Tuesday? That's right, 10% off at the "Best of the Valley Thrift Stores" for everyone 55 and over! Additionally, Revivals offers 50% off men's clothing the first Thursday of each month and 50% off women's clothing on the first Friday of each month. Discounts are available on all donated items but does not include consignment or "new" items. Visit Revivals' website for store locations, hours and other information. (jl)
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What to expect from CROI 2012 in Seattle
 The Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) is one of the most important annual scientific meetings on HIV/AIDS, bringing together top researchers from around the world. Some of the major topics this year in Seattle include: biomedical prevention of HIV, new antiretroviral therapies currently in development, management of HIV- and treatment-related complications such as cardiovascular disease and neurocognitive impairment and as always, the search for a cure. For more about CROI, visit its website here and click here for The Body.com's predictions. And be sure to attend the Positive Life Seminar (listed above) to learn the latest from our local Drs. John Stansell and Clayton Barbour, who are attending the conference this week. (sb)
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"Starve" HIV, cure AIDS?
 A team of researchers believes it may have stumbled upon a protein (known as SAMHD1) that some immune system cells, such as white cell macrophages (pictured), use to prevent HIV from using their DNA to replicate itself. This protein essentially "starves" the virus. Macrophages literally engulf, ingest and destroy pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. The study, published in Nature Immunology, is significant because it may explain why HIV does not infect white cell macrophages, but instead has evolved to attack primarily CD4 cells, which do not have this key protein. Future research may focus on finding a way to introduce SAMHD1 into CD4s. This could potentially force HIV to remain dormant in all immune system cell lines, unable to replicate and therefore provide a potential functional cure strategy. As always, additional research needs to be done. Click here to read more. And click here for a cool short video showing how macrophages chase and gobble bacteria. (sb) Back to top |
Are HIV non-progressors really just very slow progressors?
 HIV-positive people traditionally classified as long-term non-progressors or viral controllers may in fact progress slowly over time, according to new research. But the findings also suggest that so-called non-progressors may in fact still benefit from antiretroviral therapy, possibly further delaying symptom onset, and could provide clues to aid in development of immune-based therapies. HIV "progression" remains a somewhat slippery term. Read more about it here and here. (sb) Back to top |
Gay men's aging issues getting more study
 While no accurate population figures exists, there are approximately 1.2 to 1.4 million older gay men in the U.S., with higher concentrations in urban areas such as New York City, Los Angeles and southern California, San Francisco and increasingly, south Florida. As healthcare experts attempt to better understand the needs of the overall aging American populace, information on health disparities experienced by aging baby boomers who are gay and HIV-positive remains minuscule. This group, now generally known as "the AIDS generation" (no surprise to us, of course), is fortunately gaining more attention as scholarly and demographic studies slowly become more common. And it's not just AIDS. Older gay men are more likely than heterosexual peers to experience a range of negative mental and physical health conditions throughout their lifetimes. Dr. Perry Halkitis (pictured) is a Professor of Applied Psychology, Public Health and Medicine at New York University. He is not only an expert in these fields, but is a member of the aging HIV-positive group as well. Click here for his summary update recently published on The Huffington Post on what we must do to ensure quality healthcare delivery to our community. (sb)
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Perception of HIV-positive men may slowly be changing
The familiar stereotype of tragic and desperate gay men dying of AIDS may still be with us, but it's becoming, fortunately, increasingly rare. And writers and observers are beginning to take notice. Click here to read a brief comment in FrontiersLA about how attitudes toward HIV-positive men are finally beginning to shift toward a more optimistic point of view. (sb)
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IAC 2012 speakers announced
 The International AIDS Conference (IAC) of 2012 is expected to be one of the most significant gatherings of HIV/AIDS researchers, activists, healthcare providers and public policy advocates in recent memory. Leading the group are long-time AIDS researcher Anthony S. Fauci, of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Phill Wilson of the Black AIDS Institute and Sheila Tlou of the United Nations HIV/AIDS program, UNAIDS. IAC is always one of the highest-profile AIDS-related event in the world. This year, it will be held in July in Washington, DC. Click here for IAC's press release and lineup of speakers and topics, and here for the federal government summary. (sb)
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Blunt amendment would harm women and HIV-positive community as well
 Lost in the cross-talk about the Blunt-Rubio Amendment (sponsored by Republican senators Roy Blunt of Missouri and Marco Rubio of Florida and fortunately defeated by a vote 51 - 48 last week) was the fact that it had very negative implications not only for women but for HIV-positive people as well. The amendment would allow any employer to deny medical insurance to employees based solely on the employer's religious beliefs. In other words, if an employer felt that homosexuality or having HIV was "sinful," or in any way at odds with his religious or even "moral" beliefs, it would become perfectly legal for him to drop an employee from coverage. Considering official positions of most religious denominations and statements by viciously anti-gay religious apologists such as Brian Fisher, Tony Perkins and the late Jerry Falwell (who declared AIDS was "God's punishment for homosexuality") you can easily see where this could go. Various Republicans have vowed that despite this vote, the bill could be reintroduced in the Republican-led House of Representatives or in the Senate next year if the GOP wins a majority. So the amendment still has potential to be a major challenge and rallying call for the HIV community nationwide and we must be ready to fight. DAPCAN will watch this issue closely. Click here for more details. (sb).
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Look up! Rare dance of planets in western sky this month
 For the past few weeks, the early evening western sky has been putting on a magnificent show. A very bright Venus (about magnitude -4.0) and a sparkling Jupiter (about magnitude -2.2) have appeared to be moving toward each other. And in the east tonight, the Full Worm Moon will rise just after dusk in dramatic complement. The two planets will continue to seem to draw nearer until the Ides of March (15th) then will pass each other in mid-month, as Venus climbs higher in the west and Jupiter becomes the lower planet in the sky. Click here for a great video that shows how. This is one our favorite things about living in the desert: the relative lack of artificial light after dark allows us to enjoy beautiful night skies. And this one is just too  wonderful not to share: a NASA time-lapse video taken from the International Space Station (pictured) as it orbits the Earth at night revealing the worldwide scope of Thomas Edison's most famous invention, the astounding beauty of the Northern Lights and a sunrise every 90 minutes. It will make your day! (sb)
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Daylight savings time already!
 It seems we just went through this, but it's that time again. Daylight savings time kicks in this weekend, early Sunday morning at 2:00 AM. As always, it's Spring forward, which means you'll lose an hour of sleep or of whatever else you do on a Saturday night/Sunday morning. Don't forget to reset your clocks an hour ahead! (sb) | |
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 We are sad to announce that longtime reception volunteer John Mendes died early on March 8 after an extended illness. John had been an essential part of D.A.P.'s reception volunteer team since 2006 and had donated more than 2,000 hours of service. His dedication to the agency and clients was remarkable and he will be missed. Tim Perez, his good friend and fellow volunteer was by his side when he passed away. Tim can be reached at 323.547.6255 or midcenturymann@gmail.com. At John's request, no services will be held. (sb)
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 At times, it may seem that the editors of DAPCAN are just names on a masthead. You may wonder just who are these guys spouting all this stuff every week and why should we listen to them? Well, as we expand and we hope, improve this publication, we feel it's time to speak more directly to our readers and let you know that we have many of the same issues as you. In my own case, I tested positive in 1987, had no problems for awhile, then in the mid-1990s, developed sudden, full-blown opportunistic illnesses. But I was lucky; that didn't happen until the protease era and after starting meds, I bounced back, side-effects notwithstanding. Today, after not being sure I'd make it to 45, I'm happy to be pushing 60, upright and more-or-less functional, if occasionally creaky. As we all know, living with HIV is a challenge, but it has taught me many lessons that I wouldn't have learned otherwise and for that, I'm grateful. So the information we sort through each week to publish here is as important to us as it may be to you. And if it seems we veer into whimsical or unrelated-to-HIV articles in our This 'n That column, it's just our attempt to lighten up an often-grim subject, provide some alternative content, a little diversion and maybe a bit of humor. We greatly appreciated your responses to our survey a few weeks ago and are always receptive to any ideas you may have to improve DAPCAN. You'll hear from fellow editors Rick Vila and John Lewis in coming issues. Cheers and thanks for reading. Steve Bolerjack | |
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"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between Church & State."
--Thomas Jefferson, on the intent of the First Amendment, 1802
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The NestEggg Group offers free tax preparation for D.A.P. clients
 The NestEggg Group is offering free filings for 2011 IRS and California taxes for clients of D.A.P. The free service does not include research or amended returns, past years returns, or other complex tax matters. Processing fees apply for electronic filings and appointments are required. Please call NestEgg at 760.322.4622, ext. 205, or email them at accounting@nesteggg.com. (Be sure to reference D.A.P. taxes in the subject line). (jl) |
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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) 
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DAPCAN archives now available online
 Do you need to take another look at something you read in DAPCAN somewhere only to find that it's long gone 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)
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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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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:
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Additional Contacts/Social Networking
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