DAPCAN
Desert AIDS Project Community Action Newsletter
January 31, 2013
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 You can win tickets to the gala!
See information below
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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, February 2, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Tret Fure live at The Rock Garden
Benefiting Women's Programs at The LGBT Community Center of the Desert
Click here for more information. (jl)
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Tuesday, February 5, 6:00 - 8:00 PM - Positive Life Series
 The next Positive Life program on February 5 will be a town hall forum on Hepatitis C--new treatments, what's in the pipeline and transmission risks for gay men. This program is for anyone with questions about Hepatitis C, not just people with HIV, so spread the word and bring any friends w ho might be interested. The speakers will be HCV researcher Dr. David Wyles, of the University of California at San Diego, and Tracy Swan from the Treatment Action Group (TAG) in New York City. 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. Plan to attend... and bring a friend!
Upcoming programs:
March 5: HIV & Diabetes--managing blood sugar and insulin resistance with HIV meds, with Dr. Miguel Torres from Oasis Clinic, Los Angeles.
April 2: Update on latest in HIV treatments and cure research from the Retrovirus Conference, with D.A.P. medical director Dr. Homayoon Khanlou.
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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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Friday, February 8, PRESENTATION LUNCHEON, Noon to 1:00 PM
Community Center Presents: HIV AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH
 Joseph Leahy will speak on the emotional health and well being of people with HIV. Lunch starts at 11:45 AM. Registered DAP clients only. ASL interpretation available upon request, with 48 hour notification. Sponsored by Janssen Therapeutics. You are requested to RSVP to Ray Robertson at 760.323.2118 ext.295, or by email to rrobertson@desertaidsproject.org.
Improve your quality of life through education!
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Tuesdays, starting February 12, 12:00 - 1:00PM
THE COMMUNITY CENTER PRESENTS: New Meditation Group  Healing Compassion is about a journey to a wellness state-of-being. Jeff Skorman is a teacher, counselor, and certified Chopra Center Perfect Health and Ayurvedic Lifestyles, Meditation, and Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga Instructor. Contact Ray Robertson at 7 60.323.2118 ext.295, or by email to rrobertson@desertaidsproject.org for more information. (jl)
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Every Thursday, 1:00 PM -- Movie and Pizza!
February 7: Save the Last Dance (2001)
Let's get out to a movie!
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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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You can win tickets to the Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards Gala!!
ADMISSION TICKET DRAWING FOR 20 CLIENTS!!! DROP YOUR ENTRY IN THE ENTRY BOX IN THE LOBBY AT D.A.P. OR CALL OR E-MAIL RAY WITH YOUR NAME AND PHONE NUMBER TO ENTER! DRAWING WILL BE ON FEBRUARY 4 AT NOON. ONE ENTRY PER PERSON! REGISTERED D.A.P. CLIENTS ONLY!
Get out your tuxes and gowns!
For 18 years, the Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards gala has raised millions of dollars for direct client services at Desert AIDS Project. This year, twenty free tickets to the gala will be available in a drawing to be held at D.A.P. on Monday, February 4! See above for instructions on how to enter. If you can buy a ticket, great. If not, try your luck in our drawing! The gala itself will be held at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Saturday, February 9 at 5:30 PM. This year's gala host is Jesse Tyler Ferguson from "Modern Family", with performances by Melissa Ethridge, Queen Latifah, Mathew Morrison, Stephanie J. Bloch, Megan Hilty, and Marko and Chehon from "So You Think You Can Dance"!
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Annual fundraiser events benefiting D.A.P. just around the corner  Two annual events that are among the most significant sources of funding for D.A.P. services are coming up next month. In fact, both will take place on the same day, Saturday, February 9. Starting at a very early 6:30 AM, the Tour de Palm Springs Bike Ride will roll out through the city streets. The Tour is more popular every year and benefits not only D.A.P., but 150 other local nonprofits as well. If you're up to it, you can still register to participate. Click here for the T  our website and complete information. Saturday evening will bring the 19th Annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Always a glamorous event, the gala will honor Lorna Luft, Mario Lopez, Julian diCiurcio, Jake Glaser and D.A.P.'s own special benefactor, Annette Bloch, who has been a longtime generous donor and recently funded the new Cancer Center at our facility which bears her name. Click here for the D.A.P. website's information on the event. (sb)
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Innovative HIV gene therapy study soon to start enrollment
 Calimmune, a small biotechnology company, has been given the go-ahead by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to start enrolling HIV-infected people in a first-of-its-kind gene therapy study that will modify two HIV attachment sites in CD4+ cells. This early phase study will be looking at whether an experimental gene transfer, called LVsh5/C46 (also known as Cal-1), is safe and if it can protect the immune system from the effects of HIV without the use of antiretroviral drugs. Click here to read more. (jl) Other clinical trials Remember, you can always check for upcoming clinical trials at the National Institute of Health (NIH) clinical trials registry. Click here for more information. (jl)
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Researchers find "Achilles Heel" of key HIV replication protein
 University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers report they have developed a way to track -- and perhaps block -- the activity of Nef, an HIV protein that is critical to HIV replication. According to researcher Thomas Smithgall, Ph.D., the team reasoned it might be possible to stop HIV replication by preventing Nef's "usual interactions with other proteins." Click here to read more. (jl)
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New Orleans will host AIDS Conference in September
 The 2013 United States Conference on AIDS (USCA), will take place September 8 - 11, 2013, at the Hyatt Regency, in New Orleans, LA. For nearly two decades, USCA has been one of the important gatherings of case managers, physicians, public health workers,  advocates, people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) and policymakers. Its purpose is to build national support networks, exchange the latest information and learn cutting-edge tools to address the challenges of HIV/AIDS. Click above to link to the National Minority AIDS Council and learn more about the Conference and how you can apply for a scholarship to attend. (rv)
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Federal benefit paper checks to stop in 2013
 Do you still get your federal benefits in the form of a paper check? People who currently receive Social Security, SSI, VA and other federal benefits by a mailed paper check are required to switch to an electronic payment option by March 1, 2013. Options include direct deposit to a bank or credit union account or receiving benefits on a Direct Express Debit Mastercard. Those applying for federal benefit payments for the first time will now be required to choose an electronic payment method at the time they apply. Electronic payments are safer, easier and more convenient for benefit recipients. Now with direct deposit beneficiaries can have immediate access to their funds from virtually anywhere. If you do not have a bank account, or are not sure you can get one, look into a Treasury Department sponsored ETA account. To learn more about the switch, visit the Go Direct website. (jl)
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You can be an advocate: Participate in these surveys
 Health Assessment Resource Center (HARC) is conducting a telephone survey to assess the state of health in the Coachella Valley. On behalf of HARC, calls will be made by Kent State University to a select number of residents. Help your community by accepting the call from HARC and Kent State University. HARC is a trusted and reliable data resource for non-profit organizations, hospitals, and local government throughout the Coachella Valley. If you have any questions regarding the survey, please contact Eileen Packer, HARC's CEO, by phone at 760.404.1945 or by email at epacker@harcdata.org. Visit www.HARCdata.org for more information.
HARC will also be conducting a first-of-its-kind online survey of valley LGBT residents that will take place over the next four months. The information the survey will provide will be used to identify gaps in health care and could help to provide funding to the Desert AIDS Project and AIDS Assistance Program, for example, that require specific data benchmarks. The survey was the front page story in yesterday's Desert Sun. You can read the full article here. This survey hasn't started yet but we will keep you posted and provide information on how you can participate. (jl)
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Tell the Boy Scouts of America to end the ban on gay scouts and leaders! The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is asking for your input on whether it should end its decades-old ban on gay Scouts and Scout leaders. More than a million people have taken action urging the Boy Scouts of America to end its ban on gay scouts and leaders, and now the BSA Board of Directors will vote on a proposed policy change to end the ban. The vote takes place in just a few days, so it is important that the BSA hears from you today! You can be sure those opposing this change will be making their voices heard! Follow this link to see how you can let them know it's time to end the ban! (jl)
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Have you seen these locally published LGBT magazines?
 While we may have lost "The Bottom Line" last year there are two local magazines that are helping to fill the void, and both are free! "Desert Outlook" is a print magazine that is produced by the Desert Sun. It is available at more than 160 distribution points across the valley. You will find it at major grocers, hotels and resorts, many restaurants, both Koffis, Desert AIDS Project, and many more sites. The news and culture magazine celebrates how we live and closely examines the politics and issues that affect our lives. Also new to the desert is "The Standard", an online magazine that just launched a couple of months ago. Each month, "The Standard" presents diverse content that reflects the LGBTQ lifestyle and culture, including arts and entertainment, health, fashion, news and views, and inspiring features. "The Standard" is sharp, sophisticated, contemporary, stylish, intelligent, entertaining, and instantly available via desktop, laptop and soon mobile devices. You can see more of "Desert Outlook" here and "The Standard" here. (jl)
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Free recycling: waste collection event offers shredding as well Do you have some papers to shred or old electronics to get rid of? Take them to the free recycling event from 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM or until trucks are full, on Saturday, February 2, at Lowe's, 5201 E. Ramon Road, Palm Springs. Material for shredding is limited to three file containers no larger than 9 inches by 13 inches by 17 inches per vehicle. Accepted electronic items include computers, monitors, microwaves, keyboards, printers, televisions, cell phones, fax machines and batteries. Items not accepted include tires, household hazardous waste, appliances, trash, car batteries, air conditioning or heating units. All electronic equipment dropped off at the event is dismantled and recycled. Any information stored is destroyed. For more information, call 760.323.8214 or 760.323.8263 or follow this link. (jl)
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Seven things happy people say every day
 Every day we get a fresh start and have the power to choose how we look at the day and life in general. Here are some suggestions of things you can say to yourself to help make every day a happy one. They are surprisingly simple yet effective. You might also want to check out some of the other posts when you visit the site! (jl)
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Have you ever wondered how Palm Springs became a gay mecca?
 Why do so many gay and lesbian travelers flock to Palm Springs? Why is it there that the lesbian Dinah Shore festival and men's White Party hold their annual events every April, and why in the fall do hundreds head to the LGBT Cinema Diverse film festival? And why do so many people keep going back to a town where the summer heat consistently tops 100, and the winter months aren't much cooler? OUTtraveler.com attempts to provides some insight to these questions in a recent article that also includes excerpts from the book A City Comes Out: How Celebrities Made Palm Springs a Gay and Lesbian Paradise. You can see the full article here. There is also a feature article highlighting some favorite gay spots in Palm Springs. See that article here. (jl)
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"People cannot discourage, insult, ridicule, or belittle you if you do not believe what they say. Believe in yourself rather than buying into the opinions other people have of you. Opinion is not fact, so don't accept it as if it were."
- Regina Victoria Cates
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Ongoing Benefits, Resources & Information
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ADAP may pay Medicare Part D premium
 Since we at are the start of a new policy year, this bears repeating: 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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Help with Medicare
The State Health Insurance  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, phone is 951.241.8723. Follow this link for more information. (Shown above is an interesting landmark artifact: the first Medicare card, issued to former President Harry Truman by then-current President Lyndon Johnson in 1966.) (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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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, the local ADAP office is right across the driveway, south of D.A.P., 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. Many people 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 uninterrupted services with your D.A.P. medical doctor visits.
**NOTICE: 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.) Back to top
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Riverside County Healthcare Patients: LAB DRAW LOCATIONS
 Riverside County Healthcare (RCHC) Lab services are provided at both Riverside County Regional Medical Center (RCRMC) in Moreno Valley and Quest Diagnostics. All RCHC patients currently going to LabCorp are now directed to Quest Diagnostics. Please call Quest before arriving at the location to ensure that they have received your lab order. If not, contact your provider. And always get your blood draw two weeks before
your next appointment with your doctor. (rv) (sb)
Here are local Quest Diagnostics locations for your convenience:
555 Tachevah Drive, Suite 102W
Palm Springs, CA 92262
36101 Bob Hope Drive, Suite E6
Rancho Mirage, CA
760.318.4387
760.323.8833
701 Highland Springs Avenue, Suite 6
Beaumont, CA
951.845.8013
1011 E Devonshire Avenue, Suite 103
Hemet, CA
951.652.3674
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Help with paying private health insurance premiums may be available
 If you or someone you are close to are HIV positive and paying for private health insurance, there may be help in paying premiums. The California Department of Public Health, Office of AIDS (OA) administers the Health Insurance Premium Payment (OA-HIPP) Program. OA has expanded OA-HIPP to make this program available to more individuals with health insurance who are at risk of losing it, and to individuals currently without health insurance who would like to purchase it. Follow this link to see if you qualify. (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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D.A.P. holiday closings for 2013
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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D.A.P. contact information 
 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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DAPCAN back issues always available online
 Need another look at something you read in DAPCAN? 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 here. And we've recently updated these links to ensure that the very latest issues of DAPCAN are always available. (jl)
(cartoon from New Yorker Magazine, 2011)
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Contact information for state and federal officials--click on name:
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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