The world’s largest public health conference, the XVIII International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2010), kicked off this past weekend in Vienna, Austria. The event brings together 20,000 people from across the world to discuss the current state and the future path of the global HIV/AIDS epidemic.
There are a TON of online outlets covering AIDS 2010 but here are a few links to get you plugged in:
Keep up with AFC in Vienna
– Check out what AFC is up to at the conference (PDF)
– International AIDS Conference website
– Webcast schedule (PDF)
– HIV Prevention Justice Alliance website
– International Rectal Microbicides Advocates website
– National HIV/AIDS Strategy website
– Coverage from The Body
– Scientific coverage from aidsmap
– View the poster: “Advancing a more coordinated, accountable, and outcomes-oriented response through advocacy toward a National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States” (PDF)
– Read the press release about the poster (PDF)
The AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s Care and Housing Teams mourn the loss of case manger and housing advocate Lester Ward. Lester was a committed and caring individual who formally began his work in the HIV community in 1999 at Asian Human Services. Lester managed to find balance between his career and personal life. He was an avid movie buff and lover of the theater.
As an advocate and person living with HIV/AIDS, Lester happily served on the NorthSide HIV/AIDS Coalition and was determined to help people living with HIV. Lester believed in people and the human ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable circumstances. He, too, basked in the glow of joy found on the faces of his clients once they achieved their goals. Success, whether large or small was worthy of celebration. For Lester, sharing client victories was the most rewarding aspect of his job.
AFC appreciates Lester Ward’s contributions to the sector. Rest in peace.
The details of Lester’s arrangements are as follows:
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Wake: 10:00 AM
Funeral: 11:00 AM
Life Center Church of God and Christ
5500 South Indiana Avenue
Chicago, 60637
Tel: (773) 288-1700
You may also send flowers and condolences.
Community Advocate Lonnie Fulton passed away on September 9, 2010. His fellow members of the AIDS Housing Advisory Council had these words to share:
Susan Armstrong – “Lonnie was a great mentor; my first effort at public speaking was with him.”
Fernando Blasco – “He was an honest man, a wonderful person and very valuable to the community.”
Patrice Dean – “Lonnie, the AVON Man, was a dedicated advocate for all issues for people living with HIV. He was willing to keep speaking up until a situation was resolved.”
Services will be Friday, September 17, 2010:
Rock of Ages Church
1309 W. Madison Street
Maywood, IL
Wake: 10:00am to 11:00am
Funeral: 11:00am to noon
Please contact his niece regarding services or donations:
Mary Ann – 773-827-3249
After three years of rigorous grassroots advocacy, the Obama Administration will release the country’s first National HIV/AIDS Strategy on Tuesday, July 13. The unprecedented plan sets forth an ambitious agenda to effectively address the domestic U.S. HIV epidemic.
Tuesday afternoon, administration officials will brief the public on the main features of the Strategy and will hold a reception to honor representatives from more than 200 HIV/AIDS organizations from around the country.
“This day marks the culmination of years of hard work and commitment from the HIV/AIDS community,” said AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) President and CEO Mark Ishaug. “We thank the President and his staff for delivering on their promise of developing a National HIV/AIDS Strategy and for doing so in a manner that is inclusive of so many diverse voices. Now we must transform the document’s inspiring vision into reality – and that will be no small task.” Read more at aidsconnect.net
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn announced today that state funding for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which provides life-saving HIV medications to low-income people with HIV, will be sufficient to “serve approximately 4,500 clients a month – an increase of 400” program recipients. In the last nine months, the program provided HIV/AIDS medications to an average of 4,165 Illinoisans per month and the number of new enrollees continues to climb. Read the rest.
Yes, we have a state budget. Well, sort of. Actually, it’s kinda complicated.
Let’s break it down.
The General Assembly passed on May 25 a state budget. However, this budget is deeply flawed. It doesn’t address the state’s nearly $6 billion in unpaid bills, relies too heavily on one-time revenue, and jeopardizes services for all Illinoisans. Most importantly, legislators failed to pass new revenue, the only sustainable solution to the state’s budget problems.
This week, the Illinois General Assembly sent Governor Pat Quinn a state budget bill (HB 859) that gives him unprecedented ability to fund – or not fund – state programs in fiscal year 2011. The ball is in the governor’s court.
HB 859 gives Governor Quinn sole authority to allocate funding to lifesaving HIV programs such as the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), HIV prevention programs, and housing and care services. Though the Governor will have large pots of funding to allocate among various priorities, it is painfully clear that the need far outpaces available funding.
Read more…
Facing an historic budget crisis that could destabilize HIV treatment access for more than 4,000 low-income Illinoisans with HIV/AIDS, a state advisory panel voted on May 21 to urge Illinois to immediately close the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) to new applicants and begin a waiting list. The recommendation is now under review by state officials.
“Because the program is deeply underfunded, Illinois must take immediate steps to preserve services for those who rely on ADAP for their life-saving care,” said David Ernesto Munar, vice president of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC), and a member of the ADAP Medical Issues Advisory Board, which made the recommendation. “The program faces total fiscal collapse unless immediate actions are taken.” Read more…
Raise your voice and let the President and Congress know that the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) needs help immediately. ADAP is funded by the federal government and states and provides lifesaving medications to people with HIV.
Nationwide, more than 850 people with HIV in 10 states are on waiting lists to access ADAP, meaning they cannot receive HIV medications. Financially broken states cannot fund this lifesaving program alone. Tell President Obama and Congress to provide $126 million in federal emergency supplemental funding for ADAPs nationwide to end the waiting lists and shore up ADAPs in states like Illinois.
Attention Individuals, Consumers, Service Providers and Friends! HIV/AIDS Funding Petition!
Beginning July 1, 2010, Illinois state government will need to operate with approximately half the revenue that was available one year ago. Life-saving services, including medications, supportive services, housing, and HIV prevention programs, are at risk of severe reductions or elimination. Please download, print, sign and fax back this letter, and share it with your friends and colleagues. In Spanish, too!