From New Scientist:
"Imagine going into the hospital with HIV and receiving a single treatment that knocks the virus on the head for good. That dream may come true sooner than we thought following a flurry of progress in gene therapy. The story begins with a man in Germany who last week was reported to be free of HIV following a bone marrow transplant. The donor was known to have two copies of a gene that prevents HIV from invading white blood cells. For the first time, it may be possible to eliminate the virus from the body, as opposed to simply keeping it in check with antiretroviral therapies (ART)."
Read the rest of the story HERE.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Food Express Delivers!
The Food Bank of Western New York has designated the Evergreen Center as a Food Express Delivery site. On February 26 at 10:00 a.m. a refrigerated Food Express truck will distribute perishable food items (produce, meats and dairy products) on a first come, first served basis. The food is available to everyone - there are no income or residency restrictions, and since future Food Express deliveries will be based on demand, we encourage as many people as possible to take advantage of this service on the 26th. Help us spread the word! The Evergreen Center will host the Food Express truck on the fourth Thursday of every month. Note: bags will not be available, so please bring your own bags or boxes to transport the food. UPDATE: over 170 households took advantage of the Food Express program at ACS.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
ACS on Parade
Heads Up: If you're at the Artvoice Mardi Gras Parade, watch out for the ACS float. We'll have photos here at the Forum as soon as possible.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
We're open late! The Evergreen Center offers HIV testing services "after hours" until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, along with STD screening, syringe exchange, HIV risk counseling, condoms/safety supplies and information about drug and alcohol treatment. All services are FREE and confidential. The Evergreen Center is located at 206 South Elmwood Avenue at Chippewa Street in downtown Buffalo.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Big Changes at Life Changes
The Life Changes group has some big changes in store for 2009. Life Changes is still Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered people coming together in order to educate, inform, network and promote healthy choices... that part hasn't changed. But the twice-monthly meetings are now taking place on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every month from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Pride Center's new home on the 3rd floor of the Evergreen Center (206 South Elmwood Avenue at Chippewa). For more information contact Marcus at 847-0315 x443 or via email at mmay@aidscommunityservices.com.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Saving Lives Through OOPP
The Opioid Overdose Prevention Program (OOPP) is administered through the Project SAFE (Syringes Available For Everyone) program at ACS. OOPP is a program designed to help a layperson prevent death in cases of opioid overdose; this intervention saved 4 lives during the month of January and another (so far) in February. Participants are taught how to recognize an active overdose, and they are trained and certified to intervene effectively. Once certified, participants receive an Overdose Prevention Rescue Kit which contains two doses of Naloxone (also known as Narcan); two 3cc intramuscular syringes, alcohol pads, a pair of gloves; rescue breathing face shield and a certification card. Narcan is an opioid antagonist, which means it reverses the effects of opioids such as heroin, methadone, oxycontin, lortabs, morphine and dilaudid. It doesn’t work for non-opioids such as cocaine, alcohol, or benzodiazepines.
As of February 6, 2009 there are 101 certified Opioid Overdose Prevention Rescue Responders. Project SAFE staff is encouraging participants to bring friends, family members or other IVD users to become trained and certified in OOPP. Training times and locations are flexible; for more information or to schedule a training, contact Rashone Scott-Williams at rwilliams@aidscommunityservices.com.
As of February 6, 2009 there are 101 certified Opioid Overdose Prevention Rescue Responders. Project SAFE staff is encouraging participants to bring friends, family members or other IVD users to become trained and certified in OOPP. Training times and locations are flexible; for more information or to schedule a training, contact Rashone Scott-Williams at rwilliams@aidscommunityservices.com.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Heat Up Your Summer With the Buffalo Wings!
560 MILES: NIAGARA FALLS TO NEW YORK CITY.
ONE WEEK THAT'S GUARANTEED TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
For the fifth year in a row, AIDS Community Services is a beneficiary agency of the Empire State AIDS Ride. Each year, hundreds of enthusiastic bikers from across the United States ride 560 miles in 7 days to raise funds for HIV/AIDS services. There are three New York State HIV/AIDS service providers who are beneficiaries of the ride: ACS, AIDS Rochester and AIDS Family Resources in Syracuse.
The Buffalo Wings are the official team of AIDS Community Services. The Buffalo Wings began modestly in 2005 with just 6 riders and raised nearly $40,000. In 2006 our team of 12 raised over $100,000. In 2007, our team of 9 raised more than $60,000. Last year, our team of 7 raised $41,000. This year, our goal is to recruit 20 riders and raise at least $75,000!
The Buffalo Wings have group training rides and social gatherings, group fundraisers that benefit the whole team, a gorgeous team jersey that we give each member, and much more. Our team includes some of the fastest cyclists on the ride, as well as some folks who come into camp at the very end each night. So, whatever your cycling ability, you will not cross the state alone. Our enthusiastic volunteers provide a SAG van that will keep you stocked with water, Gatorade, snacks and good cheer.
This year, the ride takes place from August 16 - 22. For more information on the Ride, contact Kim Luangpakdy at 716-847-0340 ext. 315; or at kluangpakdy@aidscommunityservices.com. To register, visit http://www.empirestateaidsride.org/, and be sure to register as a member of the Buffalo Wings!
ONE WEEK THAT'S GUARANTEED TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
For the fifth year in a row, AIDS Community Services is a beneficiary agency of the Empire State AIDS Ride. Each year, hundreds of enthusiastic bikers from across the United States ride 560 miles in 7 days to raise funds for HIV/AIDS services. There are three New York State HIV/AIDS service providers who are beneficiaries of the ride: ACS, AIDS Rochester and AIDS Family Resources in Syracuse.
The Buffalo Wings are the official team of AIDS Community Services. The Buffalo Wings began modestly in 2005 with just 6 riders and raised nearly $40,000. In 2006 our team of 12 raised over $100,000. In 2007, our team of 9 raised more than $60,000. Last year, our team of 7 raised $41,000. This year, our goal is to recruit 20 riders and raise at least $75,000!
The Buffalo Wings have group training rides and social gatherings, group fundraisers that benefit the whole team, a gorgeous team jersey that we give each member, and much more. Our team includes some of the fastest cyclists on the ride, as well as some folks who come into camp at the very end each night. So, whatever your cycling ability, you will not cross the state alone. Our enthusiastic volunteers provide a SAG van that will keep you stocked with water, Gatorade, snacks and good cheer.
This year, the ride takes place from August 16 - 22. For more information on the Ride, contact Kim Luangpakdy at 716-847-0340 ext. 315; or at kluangpakdy@aidscommunityservices.com. To register, visit http://www.empirestateaidsride.org/, and be sure to register as a member of the Buffalo Wings!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Mythbusters
Thanks to Tom for passing along this story from thebody.com about some of the common misconceptions people have about HIV and AIDS.
[myth] I don't need an HIV test. There's no way I could be infected.
[truth] What you don't know can hurt you ... and those you care about. A quarter of people in the U.S. who are HIV positive do not know it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This represents more than 250,000 people. Moreover, it is estimated that the majority of new HIV infections are passed on by people who don't know that they themselves are infected. Anyone who has had unprotected sex with someone who is HIV positive (or of unknown status), shared a needle (for piercings, tattoos or drugs) or had other body fluid to blood contact is at risk for HIV infection, and for spreading the disease to others.
[myth] AIDS is over in America. It's only a problem in other countries.
[truth] Every day, more than 100 Americans become HIV positive. The HIV epidemic continues to rage in the U.S. More than 40,000 Americans are newly infected every year -- that's an average of more than 100 new infections every single day. More than a million Americans are living with HIV/AIDS. What's more shocking is that, 26 years into the epidemic,10 percent of adult Americans say they don't know how, or aren't sure if they know how, to prevent the transmission of HIV.
[myth] I can tell if someone is HIV positive by looking at them.
[truth] People can be infected with HIV for more than 10 years without showing signs or symptoms. Even if a partner looks healthy, it is important to know his or her HIV status.
[myth] I'm monogamous so I don't need to be tested.
[truth] Unless you are 100% sure that both you and your partner are HIV negative, monogamy is no guarantee. Do you really know the intimate history of all your past partners? If you are HIV negative, being in a monogamous, long-term relationship with another HIV-negative person virtually eliminates the risk of contracting HIV. But unless you both get tested, there's no guarantee that either of you is HIV-free.
[myth] My annual checkup includes an HIV test, doesn't it?
[truth] Only if you ask for it. Almost 90 percent of Americans say they would be comfortable being tested for HIV as part of routine medical examinations. But routine blood tests -- or pap tests that are part of routine gynecological exams -- do not automatically include a test for HIV. The CDC, amfAR and other leading voices say they should. The CDC has issued guidelines recommending that HIV testing occur during all routine medical examinations, but not all states have implemented the new guidelines. Right now, your doctor has to ask if you would be willing to be tested for HIV. Or you can take control and say you want it done. It's your life, your health. Go for it.
[myth] If my doctor wants me to take an HIV test, I have to.
[truth] Your doctor can't test you without your consent. HIV tests can only be done with the consent or at the request of the patient. Some states require written consent; for others, verbal consent is sufficient (visit www.cdc.gov for the requirements in your state). Based on the new CDC guidelines, you would still be informed that your blood was being tested, but you would be able to refuse the test if you wanted to.
[myth] At my age, I don't need to worry about HIV.
[truth] HIV infection is on the rise among older Americans, too. People over 50 are one of the fastest growing segments of the population with HIV infection, representing 15 percent of new cases according to the CDC. This has something to do with the “Viagra effect” and even more to do with a host of cultural factors and false assumptions about the sexual activity of older adults. Actual HIV infection rates among older Americans are hard to know as a result of routine misdiagnosis, under-reporting and lack of testing. In other words, HIV testing is not just for the young.
[myth] If I have surgery, of course they'll test my blood for HIV.
[truth] Not unless you ask for it. Forty-five percent of Americans think that a person is automatically tested for HIV before having surgery. The truth is that HIV testing is still not a standard protocol for surgeries and other major medical procedures, whether scheduled or in emergency rooms.
[myth] I give blood, so I've been tested for HIV.
[truth] If you tested positive, you may not have been told. Nearly all donated blood is tested for HIV. But not all donors who test positive are told. While it has become standard protocol for blood banks to test each and every donation for HIV, there is no legal mandate to automatically inform individual donors of positive results.
[myth] Women giving birth are routinely given an HIV test.
[truth] No, they aren't. Fifty percent of Americans believe that women are automatically tested for HIV during prenatal exams. Under current protocols, however, an HIV test is done only if requested or agreed to by the mother-to-be. Yet all expectant women should be tested as early in pregnancy as possible. Current drugs significantly lower the chances of an infected mother passing HIV to her baby during pregnancy and birth.
[myth] If I test negative, my worries are over.
[truth] If you're having unprotected sex with a partner who is HIV positive or whose status is unknown to you, you need to get tested regularly. It can take a few weeks or even months for HIV antibodies to reach detectable levels. And every time there's even a slight chance you've risked exposure, you need another test.
[myth] I can't live with the results.
[truth] If you're positive, you can't live without knowing. And those you love need you to get tested today. Living and living well with HIV requires that you work closely with a healthcare provider to monitor the effects the virus is having on your body. At some point, you will need to take medications (antiretroviral drugs) that can keep the virus at bay. Many people have been living with HIV for a very long time and continue to do well with the help and support of care providers, family, and friends. Get tested. You need to know your status.
[myth] I don't need an HIV test. There's no way I could be infected.
[truth] What you don't know can hurt you ... and those you care about. A quarter of people in the U.S. who are HIV positive do not know it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This represents more than 250,000 people. Moreover, it is estimated that the majority of new HIV infections are passed on by people who don't know that they themselves are infected. Anyone who has had unprotected sex with someone who is HIV positive (or of unknown status), shared a needle (for piercings, tattoos or drugs) or had other body fluid to blood contact is at risk for HIV infection, and for spreading the disease to others.
[myth] AIDS is over in America. It's only a problem in other countries.
[truth] Every day, more than 100 Americans become HIV positive. The HIV epidemic continues to rage in the U.S. More than 40,000 Americans are newly infected every year -- that's an average of more than 100 new infections every single day. More than a million Americans are living with HIV/AIDS. What's more shocking is that, 26 years into the epidemic,10 percent of adult Americans say they don't know how, or aren't sure if they know how, to prevent the transmission of HIV.
[myth] I can tell if someone is HIV positive by looking at them.
[truth] People can be infected with HIV for more than 10 years without showing signs or symptoms. Even if a partner looks healthy, it is important to know his or her HIV status.
[myth] I'm monogamous so I don't need to be tested.
[truth] Unless you are 100% sure that both you and your partner are HIV negative, monogamy is no guarantee. Do you really know the intimate history of all your past partners? If you are HIV negative, being in a monogamous, long-term relationship with another HIV-negative person virtually eliminates the risk of contracting HIV. But unless you both get tested, there's no guarantee that either of you is HIV-free.
[myth] My annual checkup includes an HIV test, doesn't it?
[truth] Only if you ask for it. Almost 90 percent of Americans say they would be comfortable being tested for HIV as part of routine medical examinations. But routine blood tests -- or pap tests that are part of routine gynecological exams -- do not automatically include a test for HIV. The CDC, amfAR and other leading voices say they should. The CDC has issued guidelines recommending that HIV testing occur during all routine medical examinations, but not all states have implemented the new guidelines. Right now, your doctor has to ask if you would be willing to be tested for HIV. Or you can take control and say you want it done. It's your life, your health. Go for it.
[myth] If my doctor wants me to take an HIV test, I have to.
[truth] Your doctor can't test you without your consent. HIV tests can only be done with the consent or at the request of the patient. Some states require written consent; for others, verbal consent is sufficient (visit www.cdc.gov for the requirements in your state). Based on the new CDC guidelines, you would still be informed that your blood was being tested, but you would be able to refuse the test if you wanted to.
[myth] At my age, I don't need to worry about HIV.
[truth] HIV infection is on the rise among older Americans, too. People over 50 are one of the fastest growing segments of the population with HIV infection, representing 15 percent of new cases according to the CDC. This has something to do with the “Viagra effect” and even more to do with a host of cultural factors and false assumptions about the sexual activity of older adults. Actual HIV infection rates among older Americans are hard to know as a result of routine misdiagnosis, under-reporting and lack of testing. In other words, HIV testing is not just for the young.
[myth] If I have surgery, of course they'll test my blood for HIV.
[truth] Not unless you ask for it. Forty-five percent of Americans think that a person is automatically tested for HIV before having surgery. The truth is that HIV testing is still not a standard protocol for surgeries and other major medical procedures, whether scheduled or in emergency rooms.
[myth] I give blood, so I've been tested for HIV.
[truth] If you tested positive, you may not have been told. Nearly all donated blood is tested for HIV. But not all donors who test positive are told. While it has become standard protocol for blood banks to test each and every donation for HIV, there is no legal mandate to automatically inform individual donors of positive results.
[myth] Women giving birth are routinely given an HIV test.
[truth] No, they aren't. Fifty percent of Americans believe that women are automatically tested for HIV during prenatal exams. Under current protocols, however, an HIV test is done only if requested or agreed to by the mother-to-be. Yet all expectant women should be tested as early in pregnancy as possible. Current drugs significantly lower the chances of an infected mother passing HIV to her baby during pregnancy and birth.
[myth] If I test negative, my worries are over.
[truth] If you're having unprotected sex with a partner who is HIV positive or whose status is unknown to you, you need to get tested regularly. It can take a few weeks or even months for HIV antibodies to reach detectable levels. And every time there's even a slight chance you've risked exposure, you need another test.
[myth] I can't live with the results.
[truth] If you're positive, you can't live without knowing. And those you love need you to get tested today. Living and living well with HIV requires that you work closely with a healthcare provider to monitor the effects the virus is having on your body. At some point, you will need to take medications (antiretroviral drugs) that can keep the virus at bay. Many people have been living with HIV for a very long time and continue to do well with the help and support of care providers, family, and friends. Get tested. You need to know your status.
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