DAPCAN
Desert AIDS Project Community Action Newsletter
August 8, 2013
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Another smokey summer day in Palm Springs!
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Editorial Staff
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David Brinkman
Chief Executive Officer
Barry Dayton
Director of Marketing & Communications
Alexis Ortega
Integrated Communications Associate
Rick Vila
Volunteer Co-editor
John Lewis
Volunteer Co-editor
Steve Bolerjack
Volunteer Co-editor
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Positive Life Series will resume on September 3
The popular and informative Positive Life Series is on hiatus for the remainder of summer. But mark your calendar for the September 3 program: HIV & the Law--What You Need to Know, with local attorney Andrew Alder. Watch future issues of DAPCAN for schedule information. Meanwhile, stay cool and enjoy your summer! And Positive Life is now on Facebook! Sign on, visit and like us here. 
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DAPCAN's summer schedule; new features and volunteers coming in fall
 Remember that DAPCAN is publishing bi-weekly during July and August while your editors take a little time off. We will resume our regular weekly editions every Thursday after Labor Day with several additions, new features, some fresh writers and a very welcome new volunteer editor--longtime friend and D.A.P. client, Eric Janke. (rv) (sb)
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Desert AIDS Project's Community Center, houses many activities and programs including arts and crafts workshops, bingo, movies, lending library and drop-in hours. The 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 for details about next week's featured events listed below. If you would like to attend any of them, please RSVP to Ray Robertson at 760.323.2118, ext. 295 or email rrobertson@desertaidsproject.org.
Upcoming Community Center featured events:
Tuesday, August 20 - LUNCHEON! Noon - 1:00 PM
Community Center Presents - HYPNOMEDITATION!
Certified Consulting Hypnotist Michael Myers MA,CH, CI, Creator Of HypnoMeditation, will use his 15 years of experience in hypnosis, and 40 years in meditation to teach you self-hypnosis and meditation.
Every Wednesday, 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
ACUPUNCTURE THERAPY
Every Thursday, 1:00 PM (no RSVP needed)
MOVIE & PIZZA!August 15, The Mask of Zorro
The Mask of Zorro is a 1998 American swashbuckler film based on the Zorro character created by Johnston McCulley.
First &Third Friday of Every Month, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
HAIRCUTS BY ROBERT!
Sign up outside the Walgreen's room in the Community Center. Twelve slots are available. First come first served. NO appointments or reservations taken by phone ahead of time. Please show up with clean hair.
SNIP SNIP!
Ongoing Community Center activities:
- Support groups
- Hepatitis C therapy education
- Diabetes education
- Stitch in Time (needlecraft) - third Wednesday 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, activities and drop-in hours.
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Palm Springs still rocks during summer heat
 A Palm Springs summer may be a bit quieter and a lot hotter than other seasons, but our town is increasingly becoming a year-round destination. Every year as the economy recovers,  there are more new businesses, restaurants, exhibits, free films, festivals, sporting events and other things you may not have heard about. Click here for a great list of activities going on all summer around town. (sb)
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HIV/AIDS & Other Health News
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D.A.P. encourages all immune-compromised people to take precautions against West Nile Virus
 As The Desert Sun reported earlier this week, trapped mosquitoes in Palm Springs have tested positive for West Nile Virus. "Heeding the simple tips that the newspaper outlined will go far in helping people to avoid possible infection with West Nile Virus," said Dr. Steven Scheibel, interim medical director for Desert AIDS Project. "Use insect repellant, stay indoors or in a screened-in location at times of day when mosquitoes are most likely to be present, wear protective clothing, and avoid areas where standing water might attract mosquitoes to lay their eggs." Most people infected with West Nile Virus will not experience any symptoms - such as fever, headache, or body aches. If you should experience these symptoms, please don't hesitate to visit D.A.P.'s Health Center or call 760.323.2118 for an appointment. (jl)
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Scientists may have created the first HIV vaccine
 Brazilian scientists announced that they will begin testing a new HIV vaccine on monkeys later this year. The vaccine works by maintaining a viral load so low that it will keep an HIV-positive person from developing an immunodieficiency and transmitting the virus to an uninfected person. Even though the vaccine will not totally rid the virus from an infected patient, it is expected to stop transmission between an infected and uninfected person, and may also lead to further understanding of new ways to stall HIV's progression in people who are positive. You can read more here. (jl)
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Drinking alcohol doesn't increase the risk of HIV treatment failure
 So maybe an occasional cocktail isn't so unhealthy after all. According to recent Swiss research alcohol consumption has little impact on key markers used to monitor the health of individuals with HIV. The study involved people starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) for the first time and individuals who remained treatment naïve. There was no evidence that drinking alcohol increased the risk of HIV treatment failure or affected CD4 cell count. However, like many things in life, moderation is the key. Patients who were heavy drinkers were more likely to interrupt their antiretroviral therapy compared to non/light drinkers. You can read more here. (jl)
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Plant-based compound may inhibit HIV
 A compound found in soybeans may become an effective HIV treatment without the drug resistance issues faced by current therapies. It's in the early stages, but genistein, derived from soybeans and other plants, shows promise in inhibiting the HIV infection. Read more here. (jl)
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Investigators identify genetic profile associated with better treatment outcomes in people with HIV/HCV co-infection
 Several genetic characteristics are associated with a successful response to treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) in people with HIV co-infection. The study involved people with the difficult-to-treat HCV genotypes 1 and 4, who received dual therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. The treatment response rate was almost 80% for participants with the most favorable genetic profile compared to a response rate of just 7% for people with the least favorable profile. The investigators hope their research will help doctors and patients predict the likely outcome of HCV therapy prior to its initiation. Read more about this here. (jl)
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Don't throw them away! You can donate HIV meds you no longer need
 Every once in a while you and your doctor may decide to update your medication regimen. This may leave you with a supply of perfectly good HIV medication that you no longer need. There are a number of organizations that will take these medications and get them to people who need them who might not otherwise have access to them! Please visit the D.A.P. website for information on these organization and additional information about donating your unused meds. (jl)
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Social Security Turns 78 - Sign the Petition to Keep it Strong!
 We already know that our Social Security system works. During the recent economic collapse, when home equity, 401k's and savings were devastated, Social Security was the one source of retirement and disability security that Americans could rely on. With so much uncertainty about the future, we will rely more than ever on our Social Security benefits. Instead of cutting benefits through the chained CPI, we should ensure that Social Security's cost of living adjustments adequately reflect the living expenses of retirees and the disabled. We should improve the long-term condition of the Social Security trust fund by requiring millionaires and billionaires to pay the same rate on taxes toward Social Security as the rest of us. Sign here to support strengthening Social Security on its 78th anniversary! Let's not be the last generation to retire. (jl)
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Ongoing Benefits, Resources & Information
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Positively Aware's online HIV drug guide
  Check here anytime for the latest information about your antivirals: dosages, side-effects, interactions, classification, etc., courtesy of Positively Aware. (sb)
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Dedicated phone line for RCHC HIV patient medications
 The Warm Line, also known as 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. The number below enables patients to reach a special pharmacist to ensure they receive the medications needed. Call: 951.486.4442, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding holidays. And allow two business days before picking up meds at RCRMC Pharmacy in Moreno Valley, and seven business days if mailed to a patient's home. Voice mails are generally returned within one business day. (rv) (sb)
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Centers for Disease Control's HIV website
 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains a website dedicated to HIV/AIDS issues. It covers the latest HIV science and public health information, as well as educational materials, policies and guidelines. 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 for the website. (jl) (sb)
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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. You should also follow up by phone after your application to ensure all paperwork was received and is complete and do so each year after your annual eligibility meeting with ADAP. The agency still relies on paper faxes which have been known to go astray often.
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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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D.A.P. contact information
 The local phone number of Desert AIDS Project is 760.323.2118,  the toll-free number is 866.331.3344 and the website is www.desertaidsproject.org.
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D.A.P. holiday closings for remainder of year
Monday, September 2 - Labor Day
Monday, October 14 - Columbus Day
Monday, November 11 - Veterans' Day
Thursday-Friday, November 28-29 - Thanksgiving
Wednesday, 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 needing 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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