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Planned Giving: Legacy Society |
"I have spent over 20 years as an advocate in the fight against AIDS -- as a donor, an advisor and as a leader. It gives me confidence and purpose to know that I can still be a part of the fight against HIV/AIDS by having CAP in my will. It only makes sense that my commitment to CAP lives on. It is my hope that others will join me in making CAP a part of their legacy as well." - Terry Bean.
On Feb. 9, 2012, CAP held its first Legacy Society induction and pinning ceremony at the home of Terry Bean. More than 40 attendees witnessed the pinning ceremony and heard testimony from the five people inducted in this first-ever event. The following people were inducted: Terry Bean, Dave Eckert and Robbie Sherwin, Charles Washington, and Foy Renfro. Kathyn Vaughn will be pinned in a later ceremony. Anyone who has included CAP in their will should contact Michael Sorensen to be included in the society.
"The fight against HIV/AIDS is one of long-term commitment, as we deal with the consequences of the virus today and the cure for it on the horizon, while still trying to prevent new infections today," said Michael Kaplan, CAP's executive director. "We can have a real impact on this epidemic, but it will take renewed and continued effort to get us there. We are grateful to those who have included us in their will and other estate planning."
Inquiries about CAP's Legacy Society should be sent to legacy@cascadeaids.org or to learn more about the CAP Legacy Society, click here.
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New Volunteer HIV Testers Program
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Over the past few years CAP has seen a dramatic increase in the number of individuals coming to us to know their HIV status. Last year we provided HIV testing and counseling for over 3,000 individuals, the year before that around 2,100 and the year before that 1,400. Approximately a quarter of the CAP staff are now trained to do HIV counseling and testing, and we're thrilled to see more and more folks wanting to know their HIV status. We know that expanded case finding and linkage to care will truly be the path for breaking the back of this epidemic. At the same time, the growing demand on testing has our staff stretched as they try to fit testing in among other responsibilities.
With the increased demand and the importance of testing, we're thrilled to announce a new grant from the Collins Foundation, to implement a program to train volunteers to become HIV testers and strengthen our prevention work. This is a first for CAP and an exciting new venture for volunteers. Out of 24 individuals who applied, six were chosen for the first round and will be trained at the end of March. Over the next two years CAP plans to train 12-15 testers. The added support is welcomed by our current HIV testing staff and will ultimately allow us to expand our HIV testing efforts, reach new communities and finally bring an end to this epidemic.
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Working Choices Employment Program
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CAP's Working Choices program provides employment counseling for people living with HIV/AIDS who want to return to work. We can help with job search strategy, career exploration, navigating
 | | Katy Byrtus |
educational options (GED, computer classes, general skill building, and higher education), identifying volunteer opportunities at area non-profits and connecting job seekers with a multitude of area resources to assist in the employment process. In 2011 we helped 27 people obtain employment or pursue higher education. Where do you want to be? Meet with us and we can help you make a plan; we will offer support to help you reach your career and/or educational goals.
We are happy to announce the addition of Katy Byrtus as Working Choices' new Job Development Assistant! Katy was previously a CAP volunteer who co-facilitated the Positive Directions Rent Well sessions. She also works part-time at SHARE Homestead/ Orchards Inn in Vancouver, WA where she provides case management support to residents of the shelter. She has prior experience working with people living with HIV and is excited to join the Working Choices team and help people with barriers to employment find jobs.
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2012 CAP Art Auction
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 The Annual CAP Art Auction is just six weeks away, and we couldn't be more excited! CAP is thrilled to have the Hedinger Family Foundation once again as our Presenting Sponsor as we host the event at the Historic Memorial Coliseum. Bing and Carolyn Sheldon are serving as Honorary Chairs for 2012 and Bonnie Laing-Malcolmson, curator of NW Art at the Portland Art Museum is this year's Guest Curator.
The art has now been juried, and all live auction and honorable mention works can be viewed at our on-line gallery. In addition, a complete list of the more than two hundred participating artists, the sixteen galleries that help make it all possible, and our framing partners can also be seen on-line.
 | | Nicole Henry |
Beyond an impressive array of art to bid on and a wonderful three course meal, entertainment at the Patron Dinner this year includes the sultry sounds of Nicole Henry, the beautiful voices of the Portland Gay Men's Chorus, and the Rose City Gay Freedom Band.
Later that evening at the Grand Event, enjoy the music of the Pressure Point Band as you browse the silent auction artworks and nibble on sweet and savories from some of the best purveyors around Portland.
While invitations were dropped in the mail last week, already 80% of the 700 seats available for the Patron Dinner have been claimed. Meanwhile, for those interested in getting in on the action, tables and seats for the Patron Dinner, as well as tickets to the Grand Event can still be purchased on-line by following this link.
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Positive Force NW Event
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Positive Force NW held its first event of 2012 on Thursday, March 1st at the Glowing Greens indoor black light mini-golf course.
Over 50 people gathered to enjoy mini-burgers from Hamburger Mary's and the baked goodness of Cupcake Jones. Shawn Patrick, Positive Force NW Coordinator,  did a great job of welcoming folks, distributing Positive Force NW shirts and collecting more email addresses to add to the Positive Force NW email list, while DJ Pony entertained the group with music.
Prizes were awarded for those who were inspired to compete for best pirate costume, and all seemed to enjoy the clean and sober event. Folks from The Link, the Day Center, Quest, WOW, Positive Directions classes, and our Spanish-speaking group Reencuentro all showed up. Positive Force NW looks forward to the next big gathering, the 3rd Annual Positive Brunch this Spring, which often draws around 100 folks.
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Across The Country & Around the World
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Coming Soon in the U.S.: Over-the-Counter Oral AIDS Test -- In January, OraSure Technologies submitted a final module of clinical test results supporting its application to sell the OraQuick rapid HIV test to the public. The test uses oral fluid or blood; it currently is used widely in clinical settings. To assess issues regarding at-home rapid HIV testing, Columbia University researchers conducted a study in which they offered the OraQuick test in an office setting to men who have sex with men, then interviewed them about their attitudes toward it. More than 80 percent said they would use the kit to test themselves or their sexual partners. However, there was little agreement about how to raise the subject with a partner or how to handle an unexpected positive result. Opponents of at-home testing worry about how users would react if the test were positive. The next step in this study will commence shortly; the OraQuick rapid HIV test will be distributed to study participants to use at home.
Prevention in a Pill -- In December of 2011, Gilead sought approval from the FDA to market an anti-HIV medication, Truvada, for use as a Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP involves high-risk HIV-negative individuals taking Truvada daily in combination with practicing safer sex. In research, this approach has been shown to reduce new HIV infections by an average of 43.8%. If the FDA approves, Truvada would be the first agent indicated for uninfected individuals to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV through sex. HIV and AIDS advocacy organizations are split, where some believe this bio-medical approach to prevention could save millions from infections, others believe that the level of prevented infections hoped for will not be achieved due to challenges in getting populations to adhere to daily regimens and that instead, more drug-resistant strains of HIV may result. Further arguments against using PrEP include concerns of cost in an era where many HIV-positive folks in the U.S. are currently on wait lists to receive treatment, and the potential negative long-term effects of the medication on otherwise healthy individuals. On March 8th, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation filed a citizen's petition with the FDA to delay approval of the "HIV Prevention Pill." While FDA has agreed to an expedited review of Gilead's application, no final decision is anticipated for many more months.
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Thank You Donors!
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Our work at Cascade AIDS Project is only possible thanks to the generous support of thousands of contributors. While we can't list all of them here, we're grateful for every donation of any size. Below, we highlight those gifts of over $1,000 received from January 11 to March 12, 2012:
Ann and Mark Edlen Household
Blaine Kozak Household
Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.
Collins Foundation
Corvallis School District 509J
Daily Journal of Commerce
Darrell Jones Household
Donald N. McGregor Foundation
Dr. Robert Lusk and Christopher Bailey Household
Equity Foundation
Glen Ulmer Household
Heather and Tod Killough Household
Joan and Thomas Ryan Household
LANpro Solutions LLC
Miller Nash LLP
Nordstrom (National)
Northwest Reiki Association
Portland Housing Bureau
Richard & Mary Rosenberg Charitable Foundation
Sara Mann Household
Susan Svetkey and Stephen Houze Household
The Standard
The Vancouver Clinic
United Natural Foods, Inc.
West Cafe
Windermere Foundation
Wolf and Owl Productions
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