D.A.P. to mark 30th anniversary of first AIDS diagnosis
Posted June 1st, 2011 – Press Releases
On Sunday, June 5, a giant red AIDS ribbon will stand outside the front entrance of Desert AIDS Project at Vista Chino and Sunrise Way in Palm Springs, in commemoration of the first cases of AIDS diagnosed on that day in 1981. At 10:30 AM, several D.A.P. clients will speak about their personal history with HIV/AIDS over the past thirty years, followed by words about the current state of the epidemic from State Assemblymember Manuel Pérez and David Brinkman, CEO of Desert AIDS Project.
“We’ve come so far but there is still a long way to go in this fight against the spread of HIV and the care of those affected by it,” said Brinkman. “Since its all-volunteer beginnings in 1984, D.A.P. has been improving the lives of thousands of people throughout the Coachella Valley, thanks to the generosity of our volunteers and donors.”
Thirty years into the epidemic, significant improvements have been made in medications used to treat HIV. However, the average annual per-patient cost for these drugs is $25,000 and the AIDS Drugs Assistance Program (ADAP) is once again under a serious funding threat, putting a life-and-death game into play for those who are living with HIV or AIDS. Many of these people are living below the Federal Poverty Level and have no other recourse for paying for their costly medications.
Last July, the long-promised National HIV/AIDS Strategy was released. While one of its goals was to lower the number of new infections by 25% by 2015 and reducing HIV transmission by 30%, the infection rate in the Coachella Valley continues to average almost three times the national rate. It’s not yet clear how the National Strategy plans to address key areas of concern like this one in D.A.P.’s backyard.
“Even if the controversial Affordable Care Act, passed into law in March of last year, continues to be enacted, most of the significant advantages of this healthcare reform won’t begin until 2014 for people living with HIV/AIDS,” Brinkman continued. “With 30% of HIV-positive people nationwide having no insurance coverage at all, this is three years when medical care might not be provided at all for people who desperately need it. Let’s hope that in another 30 years we’re not looking back and dealing with these same issues. Let’s use this anniversary to remind us that we need to do all we can to continue the fight against AIDS.”
Desert AIDS Project is the organization in our community where people living with HIV and AIDS can receive comprehensive support, including medical care, case management, and social services. D.A.P. also offers free and confidential HIV testing at a number of locations throughout the communities it serves. To learn more about Desert AIDS Project, please call 760-323-2118, visit desertaidsproject or find them on Facebook, Twitter, and You Tube.
