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DAPCAN
Desert AIDS Project Community Action Newsletter
August 30, 2012
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Labor Day 2012 Meets
Democratic National Convention
Next Week!
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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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Tuesday, September 4, 6:00 - 8:00 PM - Positive Life Series returns!
 Positive Life will begin its fall series on Tuesday, September 4 with Dr. Jorge Rodriguez discussing the latest in HIV treatments. As always, a light supper is served at 6:00 PM and the program begins at 6:30 PM. The location is the Sinatra Auditorium at Desert Regional Medical Center (corner of Tachevah and Via Miraleste in Palm Springs) and the event, sponsored by Jewish Family Service of the Desert, is always free. ASL translation is 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, October 2 and will feature Chicago physician Daniel Berger, M.D, speaking about treatments for HIV lipodystrophy. (jl) Back to top
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Watch DAPCAN for more on these events coming later this fall!
Sunday, October 21, 2012 at 6:00 PM
Les Dames Du Soleil - LAST DANCE: World Farewell Tour
Click here for more information. (jl)
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Sunday, November 4, 7:30 AM - 12:30 PM
25th Anniversary of Palm Springs AIDS Walk
See below for more information or click here. (jl)
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Friday, November 16, 6:00 PM
Dancing with the Desert Stars returns!
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| D.A.P. Community Center Events |
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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.
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COMING SOON! "FROM GRIEF TO HOPE" WRITING WORKSHOP --
SIGN UP NOW! SEATS WILL BE LIMITED 
 Dolores Carruthers (pictured), a local author and mother who lost her adult son in an accident, recorded her journey through feelings of grief, anger, disbelief and despair in her book, A Vow Made True: From Despair to Hope. In this workshop, she will teach individuals who have had similar experiences how to write their way to hope and healing! Contact Ray for details and how to sign up. Date and time will be announced soon.
Learn how to express yourself more effectively!
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Tuesday September 4, Noon - 1:00 PM
Community Center Presents - JANSSEN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
TOPIC: ENGAGEMENT IN CARE!
 Joseph Leahy will discuss specific healthcare needs for people living with HIV and better ways to take care of yourself. Lunch starts at 11:45 AM. RSVP to Ray at 760.323.2118, ext. 295 or email 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, September 6 - The Piano (1993)  A mute woman, along with her young daughter and her prized piano, are sent to 1850s New Zealand for an arranged marriage to a wealthy landowner, and she's soon lusted after by a local worker on the plantation. Starring Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel and Sam Neill. Directed by Jane Campion.
Come out for some great films; remember
doors don't open until 1:00 PM sharp!
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Ongoing Client Community Center activities include:
- Support groups
- Hepatitis C therapy education
- Diabetes education
- Stitch in Time (needlecraft) - Third Wednesday of each month
- Community Center Computer Lab
- Lending Library
- Free films, Thursdays, 1:00 PM
Follow this link to see recurring activities on the Community Center Calendar.
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Revivals Palm Springs reopens with gala reception tomorrow! Come by the newly remodeled Revivals Store in Palm Springs and enjoy a celebration party with music courtesy of the Jeri L. Jazz Trio and light noshes by LULU's California Bistro! The reception will be tomorrow, Friday August 31 from 6:00 to 8:00PM. (sb) 
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Register now to join Palm Springs AIDS Walk and Palm Springs Pride in marching together!
 The Palm Springs AIDS Walk has become one of the most important annual events for D.A.P. over the last 25 years. Our supporters have continued to "show the love" by ever-increasing participation in the Walk, raising much-needed funds for D.A.P. client services. In its first quarter-century, the AIDS Walk has netted nearly $6.25 million through individual walkers who secure donation pledges from friends and family, as well as through significant sponsorships from community partnerships. This year we'll make history as we walk together with Greater Palm Springs Pride, honoring the AIDS Walk legacy and all of our community supporters. The AIDS Walk is also honored to receive the inaugural 2012 Spirit of Stonewall Advocate of the Year Award from the Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade. Register for AIDS Walk here and come out to walk with us! (jl)
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D.A.P. is now an approved RCHC provider!
 As we reported in the March 1, 2012 issue of DAPCAN, conflicting information about Riverside County's new Low Income Health Plan (LIHP), called Riverside County Healthcare (RCHC), was causing confusion for both D.A.P. clients and staff members. Now that D.A.P. is an approved RCHC provider:
- Clients who are enrolled members of RCHC should contact their Medical Case Manager for instructions on how to select Desert AIDS Project as their new medical home. This step must be completed before the D.A.P. Medical Clinic is able to serve you.
- If you have already completed an intake class and are an established client with D.A.P., once you have switched your RCHC medical home to Desert AIDS Project you may call the D.A.P. Medical Clinic to make an appointment with Esmeralda at 760.323.2118, ext. 219.
- If you will be a brand new client of Desert AIDS Project, please contact Ray at 760. 323.2118, ext. 295 after you have switched your RCHC medical home to Desert AIDS Project.
If you have any difficulty along the way, please contact your Medical Case Manager. They're here to help you. (jl)
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Quad pill approved in US but exorbitant cost likely to limit use in Europe The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved Gilead Sciences' new combination antiviral drug, noting that while commonly known as "Quad," the trade name will be "Stribild," which some wags in the HIV communities suggest may be a shortened version of "Strive to Build Profit." This is because Gilead plans to market the drug in Europe at a price that is likely to exclude access for most HIV patients there. And Quad will be launched in the US at a 36% increase over current market leader Atripla, incidentally also marketed by Gilead. The annual wholesale list price for Quad is around $28,500, while Atripla's is about $21,000. Although the latter is now a widely prescribed 3-in-1 combination, its use will change significantly when patents expire for its brand-name component drugs. Quad/Stribild is a formulation of four compounds, all developed by Gilead: elvitegravir, cobicistat, tenofovir and FTC. (Some observers have noted that it can be taken with or without caviar.) Click here and here to read more on issues surrounding this new drug. As with pricing and availability of so many antivirals, this one is likely to remain controversial for some time. (sb)
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"A Day with HIV" observance planned for September 21
 Each day almost 7,000 people around the world contract HIV, joining an estimated 34.2 million people already living with HIV-1. During any 24 hours more than 4,600 people around the world still die of AIDS-related causes. But on Friday, September 21, people everywhere, both HIV positive and negative, can share an image of coping and care through the lens of a camera. On that day, Positively Aware is asking people to take a digital photograph to record a moment of their day that will focus the world's attention on the daily trials and triumphs of people living with HIV. This will be the third year of A Day with HIV, in hopes that it will help remove the virus' stigma advance an international community of care through this collective photographic portrait. On that day, anyone can record a special image, with friends and family, at work or play, or any moment in the day that helps people better understand how HIV impacts people, loved ones, colleagues and communities. Click here for information on how to participate in A Day with HIV. (sb) |
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HIV in the hinterlands
 Many of us now living in southern California started somewhere else. In your editor's case, it was Kansas City--about as Midwestern as you can get. Sometimes, it's easy to forget that many people in smaller towns and rural areas are also living with HIV/AIDS. And they often face inadequate healthcare, lack of community support and narrow, provinical attitudes and prejudices. If you come from somewhere that looks sort of like this photo, you may find this article interesting, especially if you ever have considered going back. (sb)
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AIDS Conference 2012 and women's health
 With women's health issues so prominent in political news lately, it's encouraging to know that significant time was devoted to women and HIV at the July AIDS Conference in Washington. Dr. Gina Brown, Coordinator of Microbicides Research at the National Institute of Health's (NIH) Office of AIDS Research, pointed out that arguments over contraception and abortion issues can overshadow healthcare, education and policy discussion of the importance of protecting women and girls from HIV infection. Click here to read more of her input at the Conference and on women's health and HIV, and here for updates on pap smears for cervical cancer and HIV. (sb)
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Grindr meets HIV: "don't infect me, dude!"
 There is a growing perception among younger, HIV-negative gay men that antiviral medications, which reduce the amount of virus in blood to undetectable levels, is a contagion cure-all and therefore, a free pass for unprotected sex. "Poz but undetectable" is a common description on new technology sex connection sites such as Grindr, Growlr and Jack'd. This leads to some vivid and interesting conversations in the pre-hook-up phase. For an interesting story about what guys discuss before they meet via iPhone these days, click here to read an article on Gawker. (sb)
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Gonorrhea becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics
 The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported earlier this month that common gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) has become alarmingly resistant to traditional treatments. The sexually transmitted disease, which if present can be easily passed during sex and can affect men and women equally, has developed resistance to everything except the Cephalosporin class of drugs, which includes Suprax (cefixime) and Rocephin (ceftriaxone). Older treatments of zithhromax (azithromycin) or doxycycline are no longer reliably effective. New CDC guidelines now urge health care providers to start using the powerful injected antibiotic Rocephin and to strictly follow post-treatment testing practices to effectively control the disease in the U.S. For years, early treatment of gonorrhea had rendered it annoying but not initially dangerous. Now, as bacteria evolve resistances to antibiotics, lack of effective treatment can lead to serious long-term consequences. Of course, those with HIV/AIDS can be especially vulnerable. Read more here and about symptoms here. Don't hesitate to discuss this with your doctor if you are sexually active. (sb)
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Learn more about testosterone levels and whether you may need therapy
 As many of us know all too well, low testosterone is very common among older, HIV-positive men--even moreso if on antivirals. The condition can contribute to weight loss, fatigue, bone mineral decreases, mood changes, depression and dwindling libido. Many patients have some confusion about the meanings of "free" and "total" testosterone levels, which are usually measured with our regular blood draws. Click here to learn more about what each measurement may mean to your overall health and well-being. And don't hesitate to talk to your doctor about supplemental testosterone therapy if your levels are regularly low. (sb)
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What does it take to be a gay Republican?
 Presidential election news is more-or-less unavoidable this week so your editor feels empowered to be blatantly political and look into a question that has long troubled him: why any gay person would choose to identify as a Republican? For a couple of fairly reasoned and calm discussions (which are hard to find these days) click here and here to read how two gay Republicans attempt to explain their membership in a party that apparently wants nothing to do with them or anyone else in the LGBT community, and often appears to be working actively against their interests. (sb)
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From quarks to quasars and beyond
We here at DAPCAN have a high geek factor and enjoy stories about new findings in cosmology such dark energy, dark matter, new planets, the Mars expedition, why the universe is inexplicably expanding and generally living in a "golden age" of astronomy and  discovery. We recently ran across a very cool graphic that will definitely put us all in our place in the universe. It shows the incomprehensible scale of size of all existence, starting with the single proton of a hydrogen atom all the way up to the limits of the observable universe. (It doesn't get into even more parallel universes as suggested by quantum physics; we'll save that for another issue.) Click here for a mind-boggling graphic trip from the sub-atomic infinitesimal to the eternal and infinite. (sb)
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"I do not believe that just because you're opposed to abortion, that that makes you pro-life. In fact, I think in many cases, your morality is deeply lacking if all you want is a child born but not a child fed, not a child educated, not a child housed. And why would I think that you don't? Because you don't want any tax money to go there. That's not pro-life. That's pro-birth. We need a much broader conversation on what the morality of pro-life is."
--Sister Joan Chittister, Catholic Benedictine nun, on PBS', Now with Bill Moyers
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Meds reference chart
 Wonder what other meds are out there? Have trouble keeping your nukes and non-nukes straight? Do you sometimes (like your editor) want to throw your pillbox out the window? (See his weekly regimen below). Then  check out and bookmark this handy chart from Positively Aware, which lists all currently approved antiviral medications, dosages, restrictions information and even photos of the pill just in case you really get confused! It's updated regularly and is a good resource and checklist before you talk to your doctor about meds. (sb)
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Help with Medicare
 Whether you're new to Medicare or an existing beneficiary, you may need help navigating the system. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a national program offering one-on-one counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and their families. This includes information about original Medicare, Medicare Health Plans, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, Medicare Supplemental policies and Long Term Care Insurance. The California Department of Aging (CDA) is responsible for statewide administration of SHIP, which is delivered through the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP). HICAP services can be accessed via a toll-free line at 800.434.0222. The local HICAP office is located in Riverside and the phone number is 951.241.8723. Follow this link for more information. (jl)
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More help paying for prescription medications
 Among the resources available to HIV-positive people to help pay for prescription medications is NeedyMeds. The mission of NeedyMeds is to make information about assistance programs available to low-income patients and their advocates at no cost. Go to the website, look up the  medications you need and you'll be directed to the patient assistance program website for that manufacturer. The site also offers a free drug discount card that is accepted at more than 62,000 pharmacies. If you are having trouble paying for your medications this site is worth a look! (jl) (sb)
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D.A.P. website and toll-free phone
 The Desert AIDS Project toll-free phone number is always available at 866.331.3344, as is the website at www.desertaidsproject.org. (jl) |
DAPCAN archives always available online
 Need another look at something you read in DAPCAN? You can find past issues online by clicking this link. As always, you can also read the most current edition of DAPCAN on the D.A.P. website at www.desertaidsproject.org/newsletter. And we've recently updated these links to ensure that the very latest issues of DAPCAN are always available. (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 across the driveway, south of Desert AIDS Project, at the Palm Springs Family Care Center. 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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