DAPCAN - October 25, 2012

provider forum 2 Desert AIDS Project and the Client Advocacy Committee invite all clients to join in a dialogue with medical providers at its Palm Springs campus. While attendees enjoy lunch, Dr. Homayoon Khanlou, D.A.P.'s new Medical Director, and others on his staff will speak briefly about their experience and expertise in treating HIV and AIDS. As they listen, clients will be able to anonymously write any questions or concerns they have on cards, which the panelists will address. As Medical Director, Dr. Khanlou is responsible for providing primary and HIV-specialty client care through D.A.P.'s various clinics. Before taking his new position, the doctor was Medical Director and Principal Investigator at he AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) in Los Angeles where he had been employed since 1999. If you can, please RSVP to Robin Johnson at 760.323.2118, ext. 229 or by email at rjohnson@desertaidsproject.org. (jl)

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Saturday, November 3, 3:00 - 8:00 PM

Join us at Wang's in the Desert for the Ninth Annual Food Drive

Join us on Saturday, November 3, (Pride weekend) from 3:00 to 8:00 PM at Wang's in the Desert for the Ninth Annual Food Drive, benefiting D.A.P. Bring your donations of non-perishable food items such as canned vegetables and fruits, soups, tuna, beans, cereal, pasta, granola bars, pet food for client pets...OR, if you don't feel like shopping and schlepping groceries, just bring local grocery store gift cards and/or cash donations! Wang's will be offering $2.00 cocktail happy hour prices for the event and will serve complimentary passed tray hors d'oeuvres! Contact Kandy Lee at 949.510.5894 with questions or for more information. (jl)

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Sunday, November 4, 7:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Palm Springs AIDS Walk

aw12 There is still time to register now to join the 25th Anniversary Palm Springs AIDS Walk, which will begin at 7:30 AM at 1100 N. Palm Canyon Drive. This year only, there will be two sections of the Walk. Some Walkers may choose to complete only the first half; others may decide to complete the second half when the Walk joins the Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade on Sunday, November 4. The Walk--and thousands of Walkers who have raised AIDS awareness and funds all these years--will be honored with the inaugural Spirit of Stonewall Advocate of the Year Award for helping to provide care, prevention, advocacy and love for those affected by HIV/AIDS. Anne and Kirk Douglas, and late First Lady Betty Ford chaired the very first Desert AIDS Walk in a year that reported more than 100,000 AIDS diagnoses. Today, about 1.1 million Americans are living with HIV, as are 34.2 million people around the world. Click here for full information on the D.A.P. website about this year's AIDS Walk. (sb)

Saturday - Sunday, November 3 - 4

Palm Springs LGBT Pride Weekend

prideflag12 It's almost Gay Pride time in Palm Springs. This year, the celebration will feature an unprecedented number of performers and attractions with a phenomenal lineup of 128 artists gathered to celebrate equality, freedom and diversity in the LGBT community. Seven stages and three dance venues will be set up throughout the festival grounds at Sunrise Park and downtown Palm Springs, giving way to a wide range of musical genres that include rock, electronic pop, jazz, country, hip-hop and more. Click here for full information on Pride activities. (sb)

Tuesday, November 13, 6:00 - 9:00 PM

Positive Life Series

Due to the elections on November 6, the November Positive Life program will be delayed one week to Tuesday, November 13. This will be a special town hall forum on the HIV cure, featuring "Berlin Patient" Timothy Brown (pictured), who is the only person who has been cured of HIV to date. Timothy will share his amazing story, followed by three leading HIV cure researchers talking about their work and upcoming clinical trials here in Southern California. This special program will be three hours, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, to allow for all the presentations and a panel discussion. As always, a light supper is served at 6:00 PM and the program begins at 6:30 PM. The timbrown3

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). Because of high expected attendance, we ask that you please RSVP for this program to guarantee that we have enough food for everyone. Plan to attend!

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Tuesday, November 16, 6:00 PM

Dancing with the Desert Stars

Who will win the mirror ball trophy at the Second Annual Dancing with the Desert Stars at the Renaissance Palm Springs? Come for cocktails at 6:00 PM and maybe some of the eight contestants, paired for the evening with professional dance partners, will give you a preview of their best moves before the competition begins at 7:30. You can cheer for morning news anchor and reporter Bianca Rae from KESQ, Mark Winkler, president and publisher of The Desert Sun, local restauran teur/hotelier Marco Rosetti, philanthroper and D.A.P. board member Terri Ketover, businessman Jerry Green, man-about-town Kerry Hendrix, plastic surgeon Dr. Suzanne Quardt or real estate broker Margie Taft. "We were delighted when Reaction Marketing told us they wanted to stage this benefit for a second year because everyone had so much fun last year, when it netted $10,000 for Desert AIDS Project," said David Brinkman, CEO of D.A.P. "Dave Morgan, president of Reaction Marketing, has been a long-time major donor. His company is staffed with consummate professionals, just like the two beautiful judges they have brought us in Peggy Cravens and Shanna Moakler." You can purchase your tickets at DesertAIDSProject.org or by calling 760-969-5743. To purchase tickets, or for additional information, click here. (jl) (sb)

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.

Wednesday, October 31, 2:00 - 4:00 PM

Community Center Presents: HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARTY & BINGO!!
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Whip up your wildest, scariest costume and come to D.A.P. for bingo, prizes and a chance at a $50 gift certificate for best costume! Besides all that, an early Italian dinner will be served! Please RSVP to Ray by Monday, October 29, 760.323.2118, ext. 295 or to rrobertson@desertaidsproject.org. This is for registered D.A.P. clients only. ASL Interpretation upon request. (Contact Ray at least 48 hours in advance.)

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Third Friday of Every Month, 1:00 - 4:00 PM

Community Center Presents: HAIRCUTS BY MITCH!

barberpole The D.A.P. Community Center is pleased to announce free HAIRCUTS FOR CLIENTS, the third Friday of each month from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Sign up outside the Walgreen's room in the Community Center. Six slots are available--first come, first served. NO appointments or reservations taken by phone ahead of time. Please show up with clean hair.

Look your best with a clip 'n snip!

Thursday, November 1, 1:00 PM

Community Center Presents: MOVIE & PIZZA

Premonition (2007)

A depressed housewife learns her husband was killed in a car accident the previous day, then awakens the next morning to find him alive and well at home. The next day, he is dead again! Starring Sandra Bullock and Julian McMahon. Directed by Mennan Yapo.

Get out for a good movie!

(please remember, doors don't open until 1:00 PM!)

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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
Afternoon tea, every Wednesday, 3:00 PM

Follow this link to see recurring activities on the Community Center Calendar.

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D.A.P. News

Revivals' annual clearance sale this weekend!

revhalfoff Make some time to hit Revivals this Saturday, October 27 for half-off prices on everything (except consignment items). The sale is on at all Revivals stores in the area and as always, proceeds benefit client services at D.A.P. (sb)

snoopyshop

St. Paul in the Desert supports Palm Springs AIDS Walk

stpaul

On Saturday, November 3, the Church of St. Paul in the Desert will offer a worship service at 4:00 PM, open to all, to honor those living with HIV or AIDS, as well as to remember all those who have died from the disease. The Rt. Rev. James Mathes, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, will preside. Members of St. Paul's congregation have walked every year since the first AIDS Walk. When they learned that the 2012 Palm Springs AIDS Walk had been moved from Saturday to Sunday, for this year only in honor of the Walk's 25th anniversary, the Rev. Andrew Green and leadership of St. Paul's decided to move the main Sunday service to Saturday. Unlike most other Christian denominations, the American Episcopal church is among the most welcoming and supportive of the LGBT and HIV/AIDS communities. The church includes many openly gay and lesbian priests. St. Paul's regular Sunday worship service will still be held, but with different celebrants. The church is located at 125 W. El Alameda in Palm Springs. (jl) (sb)

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HIV & Other Health News

Long-term use of Atripla producing central nervous system side-effects in some patients

Last week, we reported that new studies had shown central nervous system side-effects showing up in patients taking Isentress. Now, another study focusing exclusively on Atripla has produced similar findings. Since it was approved by the FDA in 2006, once-daily Atripla has proven one of the most effective antivirals to date. However, like so many other medications, long-term side effects are now showing up which have forced approximately 20% of Atripla patients to switch to other drugs. A study published in the July 17 issue of AIDS found marked increases in neuropsychiatric symptoms such as insomnia, abnormal dreams, dizziness, anxiety or depression. If you are currently on Atripla and experiencing such symptoms, speak with your doctor soon. Click here for more information and links to the study. (sb)

A reminder that healthy food choices are as important as meds

It's that time of the year when the weather cools and we may think of more wintry type dishes such as hearty soups, stews and casseroles. Last year, we ran a story about how a crockpot can make such cooking easy and healthful, especially when it's a challenge to prepare proper meals for yourself. Now our friend Nelson Vergel, longtime HIV activist and author, has produced a video with excellent suggestions on how to maintain good nutrition--starting with what we bring home from the grocery store. Nelson discusses a variety of foods that we may not be familiar with and the benefits they can provide to the immune-challenged. It's worth a look before you go shopping! Click here for the video and other helpful information from Nelson. (sb)

Side-effects central

At the risk of stating the utterly obvious and risking hypochondria, several facts remain true for all of us: we're living with HIV/AIDS, getting older fast, taking strange medications whose long-term consequences are just now becoming apparent and perhaps dealing with other non-HIV related health concerns to boot. Who's to say if that's just a bad cold or maybe pneumonia? Do you have just a headache or maybe toxoplasmosis? Did you just work out too hard or is that ache arthritis and/or osteoporosis? Is the tightness in your chest a heart attack or mere indigestion? Well, before you rush to the doctor, it's wise to check on the side-effects of the myriad of drugs we're all taking. You'd be surprised what certain

combinations of say, blood pressure, cholesterol, beta-blockers and antiviral medications can render. With various new combo drugs available, along with everything else you're taking, it's wise to check what may be causing what and interacting in strange ways. Of course, this is always a topic to discuss with your doctor, but in the meantime, click here for an update of common side-effects related to HIV and other medications and a good portal to more information. (sb)

One more thing to ask your doctor--preventative shot for pneumonia?

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has recently updated its recommendations for prophylaxis against pneumonia for people living with HIV/AIDS. CDC notes that Streptococcus pneumonia remains a leading cause of serious illness, including infection of the blood (bacteremia), meningitis and pneumonia in the U.S. Those with HIV/AIDS and other chronic health conditions are especially susceptible and in most cases, ought to be immunized. Adults living with HIV who have already received the Pneumovax-23 vaccine should speak with their healthcare providers about receiving the newer Prevnar 13 vaccine, which should be given no sooner than one year after Pneumovax 23 was last administered. Conversely, adults living with HIV who have not received either vaccine should first receive Prevnar 13, followed by Pneumovax 23 eight weeks later. It's a bit confusing, so consult your doctor. Incidentally, pneumonia shots are not required annually like flu shots, so be sure to keep records of your immunizations. Click here for more. (sb)

Community News & Events

Film review: How To Survive A Plague

by Steve Bolerjack

Stonewall paved the way, but nothing the LGBT community has ever done compares to 1987, when ACT UP--an improbable mixture of gay men diagnosed with a new and deadly disease--got organized with various allies, especially some terrific women, to literally challenge and demand that the federal government address the disease which was and still is killing millions. Yet How To Survive a Plague isn't a documentary about AIDS itself. "It's a story of disenfranchised outsiders faced with a terrible challenge who find a way to surmount the insurmountable," says filmmaker David France. Many of us were there or nearby and know the story all too well. And despite ongoing hassles with government agencies and pharmaceutical companies, we should never forget that those of us living with long-term HIV literally owe our lives to the efforts of some of the people featured in this film. Despite ongoing illness and death from AIDS, this is essentially a success story--of how the human spirit--indignant, fed up, ostracized, ignored and up against the wall--can finally succeed. Indeed, as we learned in the civil rights movement, troublemakers and extreme tactics are often necessary simply to get any attention at all.

But this gritty-yet-not-grim documentary is not necessarily for those of us who were there or even nearby. The film is more for the people who were not there--those unconcerned, unaware, too afraid or mostly too young to realize what was happening. It's a history lesson, a period piece that all younger people, especially gay people under 40 or so, ought to see. They must learn who the villains were: a recalcitrant Ronald Reagan, an obtuse Cardinal O'Connor and if you can stomach it, a vicious and hateful Senator Jesse Helms, whose comments on the Senate floor are as infuriating today as 25 years ago. Other images, captured via early videocams, balance the bile: the first scenes from the AIDS quilt, the pictures of activists spreading the ashes (illegally) of AIDS victims on the South Lawn of the White House. You must see how many billy clubs were used against non-violent protesters at the FDA, NIH and several other places in New York, Maryland and San Francisco (frighteningly similar to what we've seen at Occupy protests). It shows how deeply homophobia ran throughout the government and to a lesser extent, the medical, pharmaceutical and media communities. News coverage of AIDS had exploded after Rock Hudson's death, but media attention to ACT UP was surprisingly sparse until the notorious protest at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York. Although the communion wafer incident is not mentioned, film footage of what went on inside the church during the protest is worth the ticket price. See this film preferably with someone younger, perhaps even HIV-negative. Use it to help share what you know and what can be done when people are forced to teach themselves to find their own solution. Click here for an article by Spencer Cox, one of the founders of ACT UP and TAG and a participant in the film. Click here to read some other reviews, here for showtimes at Cinema Palm D'Or in Palm Desert and here for the film's own website and trailer.

Palm Springs Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Seventh Annual Luminaria

Join the Palm Springs Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence on Tuesday, October 30, 8:00 PM to Midnight for an evening of remembrance of loved ones who have passed away. Help the Sisters line the sidewalks of Arenas Road with luminarias of love and light. Follow this link for more information about the Sisters and this link for more information on luminaria events. (jl)

spi

Positive Pedalers - Second Annual PosPeds Phil Gondor Memorial Ride
posped

Positive Pedalers is holding the Second Annual PosPeds Phil Gondor Memorial Bike Ride on Pride Weekend here in Palm Springs. Phil (pictured below) was a longtime D.A.P. client and enthusiastic biker who continued to ride philgonder

doggedly through several illnesses, yet always remained upbeat and optimistic up to his death in 2010. He was a good friend to us here at DAPCAN. The ride is scheduled for Saturday, November 3, 2012. Riders will meet at 7:00 AM at Koffi South and head out by 7:30 AM. The ride will take the Whitewater Canyon route and will be about 40 miles. Contact Stefen Burchard at 760.702.0555 or at his website, http://www.stefenray.com for more information. (jl)

POZ Life weekend seminar comes to Palm Springs, November 17 - 18!

The POZ Life FREE weekend seminar is a place where compassion, education, community and love is offered unconditionally. It's a place where HIV-positive men, women, youths and family members can be themselves, feel comforted and supported in their effort to learn how to either live a long healthy productive POZitive lifestyle, or help someone they know and love overcome the fears associated with being HIV-positive. November's POZ Seminar brings Palm Springs a great line up of amazing presenters and topic's including: Drug Treatment Options, Disclosure, Sex and Intimacy, Art Therapy, "L.I.F.E.", Adherence, Complementary Therapy, Meditation for Wellness, Yoga, Communication Workshop, Support Groups, Experiential Exercises and much more! Pre-Registration is REQUIRED!! Please log onto www.TheLifeGroupLA.org for our online reservation form and we will contact you to complete your registration. Or call Sunnie Rose at 888.208.8081. Your editor has attended two POZ Life weekends and can confirm they are a re-affirming weekend seminar you will never forget! (jl)

Advocacy

After the election--what happens to healthcare?

Regardless of who wins the presidency and which parties take majorities in Congress, innumerable issues will be affected. For the HIV/AIDS community, healthcare is likely to be the most urgent and immediate concern. Simply put, if President Obama is re-elected, the Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA) will continue to be implemented and coverages, Medicare and Medicaid will continue, although reform somewhere in the future will be necessary. Despite the Supreme Court's validation of the ACA, we've heard Governor Romney repeatedly promise to "repeal" the ACA on his first day in office, although exactly how he might accomplish that is highly debatable. Click here for a summary of consequences of each possible election outcome. (sb)

Election Year Cautionary Quote of the Week

Ongoing Benefits, Resources & Information

Contact information for D.A.P.

hiviphone The Desert AIDS Project local phone number is 760.323.2118. The toll-free phone number is 866.331.3344 and the website can be found at desertaidsproject.org. (jl)

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Want to participate in D.A.P. client issues?

makevoice Remember that the Client Advocacy Committee (C.A.C.) meets on the second Tuesday of every month and meetings are open to any D.A.P. client. The C.A.C. acts as liaison between D.A.P. and clients' interests and needs, giving them a voice in planning and provision of programs and services. For more information, email clientcom@desertaidsproject.org; or, to add your input on an issue, fill out the comment form on the D.A.P. website. (sb)

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Desert AIDS Project holiday closings for remainder of 2012 and 2013

Closed 2012

November 22-23 - Thanksgiving

December 24-25 - Christmas

2013

January 1 - New Year's Day

January 21 - MLK Jr. Day

February 18 - Presidents' Day

April 1 - Cesar Chavez Day

May 27 - Memorial Day

July 4 - Independence Day

September 2 - Labor Day

October 14 - Columbus Day

November 11 - Veteran's Day

November 28-29 - Thanksgiving

December 25 - Christmas Day

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Help with Medicare
The State Health Insurance medicare9

Assistance Program (SHIP) offers 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) (sb)

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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 www.needymeds.org, 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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DAPCAN archives always available online
tallfile

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)

Medically Indigent Services Program (MISP)

AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP)

*Note: MISP has changed its scheduling policy and now recommends that applicants call for their appointments no sooner than four weeks before their ADAP expiration date. (Our previous recommendation of six to eight weeks is no longer valid.)

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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Riverside County Healthcare System (RCHC)

rchc If you are a member of RCHC, you know that D.A.P. recently negotiated a contract with it to become an in-network provider for medical care. Since then, D.A.P. Medical Case Managers have worked to reduce barriers transitioning to this health plan, in switching your provider assignment to D.A.P.'s HIV Health Center and linking you to RCHC benefits.

If you have questions or difficulties in linking to care at D.A.P. through RCHC, contact your Medical Case Manager, who may advise you on navigating the system. Be aware, however, that D.A.P. has no jurisdiction over RCHC operations and that you may need to deal with RCHC directly. If you continue to face barriers or have concerns about RCHC's service provisions, call the following numbers to file a grievance: 888-860-1303 or 1-888-860-1304 (TTY/TDD). You can also mail the grievance to:

Riverside County HealthCare

PO Box 8957

Moreno Valley CA 92555-8957

RCHC Website: http://riversidecountyhealthcare.org

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

riv211 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