April 12, 2012

wovenvoices Share the life experience of three long-time survivors of HIV/AIDS at a reading of their collective work, entitled "Woven Voices," in the Sinatra Auditorium at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs on Thursday, April 19 at 7:00 PM. The one-hour reading will be followed by a Q&A session. Those considering attending should be aware that some "adult language" will be used throughout the reading. (rv)

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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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Tuesday, May 1, 6:00 PM

A Positive Life - The Series: HIV & Your Heart - Cardiovascular Health

The next seminar in the Positive Life Series will feature speaker Ruben Gamundi discussing HIV and cardiovascular health. 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! The following Positive Life Series seminar will be on Tuesday, June 5th and feature Dr. Rick Loftus. (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 be found on the main D.A.P. website. Click here for the complete list of upcoming special events.

Tuesday, April 17, Noon - 1:00 PM

Community Center Presents: Gilead Sciences presents: HIV and inflammation

Gilead

Join us for a luncheon sponsored by Gilead Sciences. The presentation will be facilitated by Mike Roy. Luncheon will be served at 11:45 AM. Please RSVP to Ray at 760.323.2118, ext. 295 or at rrobertson@desertaidsproject.org

Improve your quality of life through education!

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Every Thursday, 1:00 PM

Community Center Presents: MOVIE & PIZZA
Thursday, April 19 - Brokeback Mountain (2005)

The story of a secretive and romantic relationship between two cowboys! Directed by Ang Lee, and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Heath Ledger, Michelle Williams, and Randy Quaid.

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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D.A.P. & Community News

Inland Empire HIV Planning Council @ D.A.P.

The next meeting of the Inland Empire HIV Planning Council (IEHPC) will be held in the D.A.P. Library on April 26th from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM. The IEHPC is the local appointed body that participates in setting priorities, allocating resources, and issuing directives within the terms and conditions of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part A funding awarded to the Riverside/San Bernardino Counties Transitional Grant Area. The public is welcome to attend. Public comments are welcome at the beginning and end of the meeting/agenda. If you wish to make a public comment, be sure to fill out a speaker form when you arrive at the meeting. The Chair, Henry Nickel, will invite you to submit your comment forms when the meeting begins. Comments are limited to 2-3 minutes. The IEHPC will hear your comments but it is not typical for them to respond or ask questions. The IEHPC is also actively recruiting consumer members. To learn more about membership and the IEHPC's work, visit www.iehpc.org. (rv)

Meet I. Jean Davis

One of our local providers at the main Palm Springs campus, I. Jean Davis brings decades of experience to D.A.P. as an educator, clinician, and researcher. Her extensive education includes a BA in Psychobiology, a BS in Human Anatomy, a Doctoral degree in Chiropractic Medicine, and a PhD in Preventative Medicine. Dr. Davis is widely known and recognized for her research and expertise as an HIV specialist, having held faculty positions at such colleges and universities as Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science and UCLA's Geffen School of Medicine. Currently a consultant for the AIDS Education and Training Center National Multicultural Center (AETC NMC), her focus has been on getting individuals into care and keeping them there. Demonstrating her passion and dedication to treating HIV/AIDS patients, she maintains a membership with the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care, the American Academy of HIV Medicine, and the National Medical Association, among others. I. Jean Davis is well-respected among the staff at D.A.P., who see her as hands-on and thorough when it comes to the dozens of patients she treats on a daily basis at D.A.P. clinics in Palm Springs and San Bernardino. (rv)

Click to view D.A.P.'s 2012 Springs Progress Report, with great new information about how D.A.P. is positioning itself to play a role in what CEO David Brinkman hopes is the final chapter of the devastating HIV/AIDS epidemic. (rv)

HIV & Other Health News

New guidelines recommend antiretroviral treatment for all people with HIV

Newly updated US antiretroviral treatment guidelines are recommending antiretroviral treatment for all people with HIV infection, with particular emphasis on treatment for: people with CD4 cell counts below 500; anyone at risk of transmitting HIV to partners; pregnant women; and people with hepatitis B co-infection or HIV-related kidney disease. Read more. (jl)

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Free POZ Life Weekend Seminar in Long Beach

pozlife April 28, 2012 is the next POZ Life Weekend Seminar, a free healing and transformational workshop for people with HIV/AIDS and their loved ones. April brings another great line up of amazing presenters and topics including Drug Treatment Options, Disclosure, Relationships, Insurance and Public Benefits, Sero-Different Relationships, Nutrition and HIV, Sex and Intimacy, Adherence, Healing Drum Circle, Art Therapy, Clinical Trials, Complementary Therapy, Support Groups and so much more! To Register, log onto TheLifeGroupLA.org for an online reservation form and they will contact you to complete your registration. Or call Sunnie Rose at 888.208.8081. The POZ Life Weekend is Re-Affirming Weekend Seminar you will never forget! (jl)

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Cognitive function improves through the first year of HIV therapy

Cognitive function continues to improve up to one year after starting antiretroviral therapy, according to the results of a small international study published in HIV Medicine. The investigators monitored changes in cognitive function six and twelve months after patients started therapy. Significant overall improvements were observed at both time points. Changes in cognitive function varied according to treatment regimen and improvements were less pronounced in patients taking a regimen based on efavirenz (Sustiva, also in Atripla) than those seen in people taking alternative regimens. Read more. (jl)

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Advocacy

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HIV and Aging Survey

A doctoral candidate at the California School of Professional Psychology in San Francisco is looking for volunteers to participate in his research of HIV and Aging. The study is looking at factors that contribute to health-related quality of life in HIV-positive, gay-identified men aged 50 and older. In an effort to understand some of the challenges encountered and the coping mechanisms employed by these individuals, he is looking for volunteer participants to complete a brief, completely anonymous online survey (average time 12 minutes). Your editor just completed the survey and found it essentially painless! Follow this link for more information and this link for access to the survey. (jl)

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Volunteer for AIDS 2012 Conference

The success of the AIDS 2012 Conference (July 22 - 27 in Washington, DC) will depend heavily on the support of up to 2,000 volunteers who will fill a range of crucial positions, including helping coordinate program activities, greeting and registering delegates and staffing various offices. Volunteering can be a great way to gain international experience and support the world's largest international meeting on AIDS. In addition, volunteers can participate in the conference, with unlimited access to all conference sessions outside their shifts. The online volunteer application will be available on the AIDS 2012 website as of April 1. Click here for more information on volunteering. (sb)

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Ready for your close-up? HIV-Positive men needed for photo shoot

From Frontiers magazine...

Positive Frontiers is a new national online HIV magazine for the LGBT community. We are a magazine focusing on lifestyle, art and culture and we're currently looking for HIV positive people to participate in a photo shoot. We'd like gay and bisexual men who are open and out about their HIV status. Previous modeling experience is not required. We're looking for real people of diverse backgrounds. All types of ages, ethnicities and body types are encouraged to submit. Please email a clear, recent photo along with name, age, city and how long you have been positive to Alex.Garner@frontiersla.com. (jl)

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Feline Announcement

Cat with FIV (similar to HIV in humans) needs loving home

Carole from Del Webb in Indio writes: "I have five cats and I recently rescued a small orange cat that tested positive for FIV, similar to HIV in humans. This lovable and smart kitty needs to be in a one cat home, with minimal stress.

I think it would be wonderful for an HIV patient to adopt him. I neutered him, and he is now a loving pet requiring only a serene environment, belly rubs, and love. My heart breaks to let him go but it is not safe to keep him around my other five cats. This cat needs no medicine and can live a long normal life. He can only infect other cats in bad fight situations." If you are interested, call Carole Nelson at 760.200.1861 or email reiki4cats@aol.com. (rv)

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Quote of the Week

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Benefits & Resources Section - Ongoing

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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Discounts at Revivals!

malemodels Revivals stores continue to offer 10% discounts for "seniors"--anyone over 55--every Tuesday. In addition, 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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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)

computeroldlady

DAPCAN archives always available online
archives2

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? 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