Gift helps continue free and confidential HIV testing
Posted March 14th, 2011 – Press Releases
The Clark Trust made a $50,000 gift to Desert AIDS Project for the purpose of HIV prevention, education, and testing. It is estimated that there are more than 8,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Desert AIDS Project’s service area, and by some estimates, an additional 2,039 HIV-positive individuals who are unaware of their status. These numbers are some of the highest concentrations of HIV and AIDS in the nation.
James Clark, deceased in 2009, had a long history of helping people in need, including his co-workers, women seeking help from abusive relationships, and children of colleagues. Because he enjoyed supporting others who participated in the Palm Springs AIDS Walk and other causes that directly impacted individual lives, his trust administrators felt Desert AIDS Project was a worthy recipient of this bequest.
“This generous gift is most welcomed in light of continued loss of public funding since the California Office of AIDS budget sustained a hit of more than $80 million in 2009,” said David Brinkman, CEO of Desert AIDS Project. “That resulted in a loss of almost $500,000 in HIV prevention and testing funding to D.A.P.”
Desert AIDS Project is thankful not only for the generosity of the Clark Trust but also the philanthropic spirit of the desert cities community, as demonstrated by the 17th Annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards on Saturday, March 12. “Since D.A.P. has an annual operating budget of almost $1 million a month, the Steve Chase gala is a very important part of the fundraising strategy that makes it possible for us to continue our daily missions of HIV/AIDS care, prevention, and advocacy,” Brinkman added. “Although final receipts are not yet known, the gala will help sustain our efforts for almost a month of operations.”
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 or find them on Facebook, Twitter, and You Tube.
