News

All News

Two new vice presidents at AFC strengthen connections to Illinois' HIV/AIDS community

January 26, 2015

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) is taking a decisive step toward deepening its valued partnerships with community organizations and advocates most crucial to the HIV/AIDS fight by filling two key roles on its staff: vice president of Policy and vice president of Prevention and Community Partnerships. After serving AFC for 10 years — and the HIV prevention community for far longer...
Read more...

After the rescue, a new housing program targets HIV-positive youth

January 21, 2015

For years, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) has partnered with Vida/SIDA — a project of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center — to ensure the health and well-being of the Latino/Latina community by offering free HIV testing, counseling and other services crucial to prevent the transmission of HIV. Under their umbrella falls a program called “El Rescate,” a new initiative...
Read more...

15 ways we're changing the HIV epidemic in 2015

January 2, 2015

A new year means new challenges — and new opportunities to make a positive impact on the HIV epidemic. The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) team has a number of new initiatives planned for 2015, and here are 15 highlights:   15. Prioritizing the health of women and transgender women of color Launching in 2015, Project Elevate will build innovative HIV and STI...
Read more...

Elimination of lifetime FDA blood donation ban for gay, bisexual men good - but not good enough

December 23, 2014

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) applauds the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on their announcement today eliminating the outdated lifetime blood-donation ban for gay and bisexual men, enacting instead a rule that bans men who have had sex with men within the past year from donating blood. While the removal of the lifetime ban is a critical step forward, this one-year deferral period continues...
Read more...

New CDPH commissioner replaces departing Dr. Bechara Choucair

December 12, 2014

After five years of brave leadership for the city of Chicago — and, in particular, the estimated 25,000 people living with HIV and AIDS in the city — Dr. Bechara Choucair announced today that he is stepping down from his role as the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) commissioner. Dr. Choucair has been a strong ally in the fight to prevent new HIV infections in Chicago,...
Read more...

AFC welcomes (back) new VP of Policy

December 11, 2014

This week, Ramon Gardenhire walked through the doors leading to the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC)’s headquarters on Jackson Blvd. It’s something he has done many times for years, but today things are different: AFC has a new president/CEO, a new office floor, many new staff members — and now, a new leader of its Policy team. Gardenhire, who served as AFC’s...
Read more...

AFC responds to Medicaid Health Homes proposal for people with HIV

December 11, 2014

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) released in late November a concept paper describing how Medicaid Health Homes might be implemented in Illinois. Health Homes are authorized under the Affordable Care Act to provide care coordination to people with two or more chronic diseases, or one chronic disease and  increased vulnerability for another one. The federal...
Read more...

For Northern Trust, there's more than one way to give to the cause

December 8, 2014

For 25 years, Northern Trust has been a steadfast supporter of the fight to end the HIV epidemic — and support those living with the virus. Ever since making its first charitable contribution to the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) in 1989, Northern Trust has demonstrated its commitment to improving the quality of life of people living with and vulnerable to HIV in communities across Chicago...
Read more...

Sweet success: 13th annual World of Chocolate event dishes up decadence

December 8, 2014

More than 1,100 sweet and savory enthusiasts indulged in a night of tasty creations at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s (AFC) 13 th annual World of Chocolate gala, Dec. 4 at Union Station. The one-of-a-kind celebration featured 22 of Chicagoland’s top chocolatiers, chefs and caterers. Held annually in commemoration of World AIDS Day, this year’s event raised approximately $134,000...
Read more...

Staying afloat - and helping others tread water as they manage their HIV status

December 4, 2014

For some people living with HIV and AIDS, staying afloat each day is no easy task. But when they have a counselor and peer in the water with them, it can make treading water that much easier. As a health educator for Project VIDA, John Dawkins is one of those people who jumps in the water with his clients and tread the waters with them. He’s been in the water by himself —...
Read more...