DAPCAN
Desert AIDS Project Community Action Newsletter
June 6, 2013
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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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Friday, July 19, 8:00 PM - 1:30 AM, Ace Hotel & Swim Club
Mid Summer Dance Party VI
More details here! (jl)
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Upcoming Programs:
July and August: Positive Life will be on hiatus--have a great summer!
September 3: HIV & the Law--What You Need to Know, with local attorney Andrew Alder.  And Positive Life is now on Facebook! Sign on, visit and like us here.
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Desert AIDS Project's Community Services Wing, also known as the Community Center, houses many activities and programs including arts and crafts workshops, bingo, movies, lending library and drop-in hours when clients may come in to just hang out with friends. The Community Center also hosts educational programs and classes designed to increase health literacy and empower clients to participate more in their own care. Follow this link to see details about next week's featured events listed below. If you would like to attend any of these events, please RSVP to Ray Robertson at 760.323.2118, ext. 295 or email rrobertson@desertaidsproject.org.
Upcoming Community Center featured events:
Friday group temporary cancellation
The Emotional Wellness Group which meets at 10:00 AM on Fridays is cancelled this week, Friday, June 7, 2013. This is for this week only and the group will resume on June 14 at 10:00 AM.
Wednesday, June 12, Noon - 1:00 PM
Luncheon presentation - Understanding the stigma of HIV
Every Wednesday, 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
ACUPUNCTURE THERAPY
Every Thursday, 1:00 PM (no RSVP needed)
MOVIE & PIZZA! Friends with Benefits(2011) Starring Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake
First &Third Friday of Every Month, 1:00 - 4:00 PM STARTING JUNE 7TH
Community Center Presents - HAIRCUTS BY ROBERT!!
Ongoing Community Center activities:
- 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
Check out the complete Community Center Schedule for all programs and drop-in hours.
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D.A.P. and Community News
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DJ phenom Kimberly S will spin the 6th Annual Mid Summer Dance Part
Bust out your sexiest neon beachwear - this year's theme - and head to The Commune at the ACE on Friday, July 19 from 8:00 PM to 1:30 AM for the 6th Annual Mid Summer Dance Party, benefiting client services at Desert AIDS Project. With convenient valet parking near the event entry and significantly upgraded air conditioning, you're sure to have a great time. So, get creative with that neon beachwear ... because fabulous prizes will be awarded for most creative and best attire! Tickets are $20, $45 and $75, depending on what you want your experience to be while you're at the 6th Annual Mid Summer Dance Party. General admission tickets at $45 include Commune access beginning at 8:00 PM, as well as cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, while the VIP wristband - available for $75 - includes valet parking, catered hors d'oeuvres and premium liquor, with access to two VIP lounges as well as The Commune. Those preferring just the Late Night Party Pass at $20 will have Commune access beginning at 10:30 PM and complimentary cocktails. Click here for more information and tickets! (jl)
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Dedicated phone line for RCHC HIV patient medications
 The Warm Line, also being called the Compliance Program Line, is a separate phone line for Riverside County HealthCare's (RCHC) HIV patients to order refills and receive medications from Riverside County Regional Medical Center (RCRMC) pharmacy. By calling the number below, patients will reach a dedicated team of pharmacists to ensure they receive the medications needed. Call: 951.486.4442, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding holidays. Also p lease allow 2 business days for medications to be ready for pick up at the RCRMC Pharmacy in Moreno Valley, and 7 business days for medications to be mailed to patient's home. If you leave a voice mail with your contact number, phone calls are generally returned within 1 business day. (rv)
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HIV/AIDS & Other Health News
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NIH scientists discover how HIV kills immune cells
 Untreated HIV infection destroys a person's immune system by killing infection-fighting cells, but precisely when and how HIV wreaks this destruction has been a mystery until now. New research by scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, reveals how HIV triggers a signal telling an infected immune cell to die. This finding has implications for preserving the immune systems of HIV-infected individuals. Read more here. (jl)
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HIV and aging
 Little more than a decade ago, it was almost inconceivable that the issue of aging with HIV infection would emerge as an important concern. But it has now become clear that combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) can suppress virus replication for many years, likely for life. Morbidity and mortality from HIV infection has plummeted, and the survival of HIV-positive individuals is edging ever closer to that of comparable HIV-negative people. With the specter of AIDS having finally been chased from the near horizon, attention has turned to health problems that may lie further down the road. Treatment Action Group (TAG) has published an interesting brief outlining current scientific knowledge regarding the immunologic connections between HIV and aging, and provides an introduction to some of the unresolved questions that are being addressed-or need to be addressed-by research. Read more here.
The New York Times also recently ran two excellent pieces about aging with HIV.
"Spared Death, Aging People With H.I.V. Struggle to Live".
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Canada to lift lifetime ban on gay blood donation
 Canadian Blood Services has modified its lifetime ban on blood donations from gay men . But it's not quite the victory advocates had hoped for. The agency will permit gay men who haven't had sex with another man for five years to donate blood. Advocates have welcomed the change, but they also insist that the five-year deferral is still too long and discriminates against gay men. The new policy is expected to be implemented this summer. Read more here. (jl)
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CoQ10 may help heart failure patients survive
 Taking coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplements improved overall survival in a randomized placebo controlled study of patients with moderate to severe heart failure, reports the Q-SYMBIO trial. Furthermore, the investigator-initiated study also showed improvements in hospitalizations, NYHA (New York Heart Association) classification and adverse events for the group receiving CoQ10. Read more here. (jl)
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Entertainer Rudy de la Mor to get star on Palm Springs Walk of Stars
 Entertainer Rudy de la Mor, a fixture in piano bars for the past 40-plus years passed away earlier this year. Thanks to the generosity of friends and fans Rudy will be getting his own star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars on Sunday, June 9 at 11:00 AM in front of Azul Lounge and Bar located at 369, North Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA. The dedication is open to the public and is free. Come out and show your support for one of the most iconic performers in our local community. You can read more about Rudy here and visit his Facebook page here.(jl)
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Are you HIV positive and over 50?
 Australian filmmaker Daniel Cardone, a Palm Springs resident, is making a documentary, which is intended to be showcased at film festivals around the world, about older people with HIV/AIDS who relocated to Palm Springs after their diagnosis. People of color and women, and persons living at the poverty threshold are especially being sought to be a part of this moving film which will weave personal stories about what it is like to live with HIV/AIDS in the Coachella Valley. Interviews take approximately 1-2 hours, with an additional "day-in-the-life" filming occurring subsequent to the initial interview. Interview questions touch on a variety of subjects, most of them highly personal. The documentary is intended to be open, emotional, and honest. This is your chance to share your story with the world. If you are interested in participating in this exciting project please contact Daniel Cardone via email at dfcardone@gmail.com (rv)
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Palm Springs Art Museum announces annual free summer film schedule
 One of the literally coolest things about summer in the desert is the free film program presented at the Annenberg Theater (pictured) at the Palm Springs Art Museum. The program begins on Thursday, June 6 at 6:00 PM and continues every Thursday all summer. It starts with selections from the 2013 Global Lens foreign film series, including intriguing titles such as About 111 Girls, Life Kills Me and Beijing Flickers. Classic American comedies come later in summer, including The Apartment, Harvey and Young Frankenstein. Click here for the schedule and start marking your calendars as the film series is very popular and you'll need to arrive early to ensure a seat in the comfortable and cool Annenberg Theater. (sb)
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Be an activist with your story
The Federal AIDS Policy Partnership's Ryan White Workgroup is working hard to educate Congress on the importance of a continued, robust Ryan White Program as our country prepares to implement the Affordable Care Act.
Established in 2002, the Federal AIDS Policy Partnership (FAPP) is a coalition of local, regional, and national organizations advocating for progressive federal HIV/AIDS legislation and policy. FAPP members are organizations that devote significant resources in support of federal HIV/AIDS public policy advocacy. FAPP is managed by a twenty-person Convening Group that consists of at-large members and a liaison from each of the affiliated working groups.
The Ryan White Work Group is an affiliated working group of the Federal AIDS Policy Partnership committed to ensuring that the Ryan White Program continues to provide appropriate primary care and treatment and support services to uninsured and underinsured individuals living with HIV/AIDS. The Work Group works on the reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act, implementation of changes to the law, interaction with other private and public health programs, and on-going communication with HRSA. Where we know that the Ryan White Program will continue, we want to make sure that Congress appropriates the funds necessary to operate the program.
To that end, we need your help. Congress needs to hear the impact the program has made to the lives of people living with HIV and AIDS. Tell your story on how the Ryan White Program has impacted your life. In one page or less please include:
- Your Name as you would like it shared
- Your City and State
- What service(s) you have received
- How your life has been changed because of these services (T-cell, viral load, quality of life, income, overall health and mental health, etc.)
- What might have happened had you not been connected to Ryan White-funded services
Please send your submission to campbell@housingworks.org or fax to 202-408-1142 by June 7th, 2013.(rv)
Thank you!
Editor's note: this is a direct appeal from APLA/AIDS Project Los Angeles
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HRC needs volunteers for Joshua Tree Pride
HRC (Human Rights Campaign) needs you to be a part of their efforts in support of LGBT equality! No experience is necessary - new and experienced volunteers are both welcome! If you're interested in volunteering or for questions, please email Mattie at gmflatrate@yahoo.com. Joshua Tree Pride will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2013, at Art Queen, 61855 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA. (jl)
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Please let the Ryan White Program hear your voice when their survey hits your mailbox!
 The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program--one of D.A.P.'s largest funders--has been mailing out its satisfaction survey to most clients. A postage-paid envelope is included. The survey is sent only to clients who have indicated they accept mail on their intake or update forms. So if your mailing preferences have changed, please contact your medical case manager, so we can update records accordingly. For clients who don't receive mail, hard copies will be provided upon request at D.A.P. Surveys in Spanish are also available. If you have visited another agency funded by the Ryan White Program in Riverside or San Bernardino Counties, you may receive  multiple surveys. Look for the agency name at the top of the survey before completing it. Although the Ryan White Program will provide D.A.P. with a cumulative summary of comments and ratings, your responses to the survey will be completely anonymous. D.A.P. is eager to learn where improvements can be made and this survey is a great opportunity to contribute your thoughts, so if you haven't done so already, please complete and return the survey. (jl) (sb)
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"One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure its worth watching."
-Unknown
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Ongoing Benefits, Resources & Information
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CDC launches re-designed HIV website
 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently launched its newly designed HIV website. With more than 8 million page views in 2012, the CDC site is one of the most-visited HIV websites on the Internet. Because so many people depend on CDC for the latest HIV science and public health information, as well as for campaign and educational materials, policies, and guidelines, the site was redesigned to give various audiences a more intuitive and useful way to find relevant, personal and useful information. Be aware that the site is somewhat front-heavy on HIV prevention but has portals to many other types of information. Click through sub-sections for more on living with HIV, treatments, etc. Click www.cdc.gov/hiv to experience the new site. (jl) (sb)
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Positively Aware's online HIV drug guide 
 You can check here anytime for the latest information about your antivirals--dosages, side-effects, etc, courtesy of Positively Aware. (sb)
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Keep track of healthcare reform changes
 The Affordable Healthcare Act is being implemented and it's important to keep track of changes in coverage and payment options. Regardless of your current insurance situation, click here for a government website that provides some guidance regarding Medicare, Medicaid and other possible insurance options (albeit limited) for those living with disabilities and/or chronic health issues (pay particular attention to the Medicare and Timeline tabs). And click here for an even more detailed summary. (sb)
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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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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 counselor is located at the Mizell Center in Palm Springs and can be reached at 760.323.5689. Follow this link for more information.
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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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Help paying for private health insurance premiums
If you or someone you are close to is 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. You do NOT need to be a D.A.P. client to access OA-HIPP. Follow this link to see if you qualify, and also check out the above links in the healthcare reforms article. (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.* Find out if you qualify: schedule an appointment by calling the numbers below. You can schedule your MISP and ADAP appointments together for Moreno Valley office ONLY. Call no sooner than four weeks before your ADAP qualifying expiration date (usually around your birthday). 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. Here are the numbers:
877.501.5085 - toll free 951.486.5375 - English
951.486.5400 - Spanish 951.486.4635 - fax
*NOTICE: Faxed MISP/ADAP applications can get lost in the process. 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. Otherwise, follow up your annual meeting with ADAP with a call to ensure all your paperwork was received and is complete.
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D.A.P. contact information 
 The local phone number of Desert AIDS Project is 760.323.2118. The toll-free phone number is 866.331.3344 and the website is desertaidsproject.org.
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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)
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D.A.P. holiday closings for 2013
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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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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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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