will you help me?

many of you already know that my 'day job' is as an HIV care manager, helping support local folks infected with HIV/AIDS. this work is important to me because i get the opportunity to support people living in my own area and in my own town.

you might also be aware that on Thursday April 25th the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York will be celebrating Dining Out for Life. this is a really fun way to raise money because all folks have to do is go out to eat. a portion of your bill will automatically be donated by participating restaurants to help the AIDS Council stock their food pantries, buy condoms, help prevent homelessness, among many, many other things. just by dining out at one of the participating restaurants you are entered in a drawing to win a trip to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas!!!

the best part is that i will be serving as the ambassador at the Recovery Sports Grill in Queensbury, NY for dinner on April 25th. not only can you eat great food, have a drink, and watch some sports but you can also visit me (and support a great cause, of course)!

can't come out that night? well, you can still help me reach my personal fundraising goal of $500 by donating here: https://aidscouncilneny.ejoinme.org/?tabid=454776. you are still entered to win the trip to the Bahamas by donating online!

today is world AIDS day.

the simplest thing you can do to fight HIV is to get tested and encourage the people you love to do the same.
want to know more? here's a good place to start.

getting to zero.

today is World AIDS Day.
beginning in 2011 the World AIDS Campaign & the United Nations theme is "Getting to Zero", an effort to move towards eliminating AIDS related deaths.

think that's not possible? well it is. HIV/AIDS is a completely preventable disease, but because it is so closely related to "taboo" behaviors we don't speak openly about it and let it continue to spread.

we can all stop it.

don't think you're at risk? it's probably not true.

never been tested? go and get it done. unless you've delivered a baby in the US since the mid-nineties, you have not been tested without explicitly consenting to it, which means you signed a form. HIV testing is not part of routine medical exams.

most of all, be aware, be compassionate and be informed.

dear sabrina...

in the almost six years that i worked with you i was regularly astounded at your survival.  the circumstances and events of your life would have destroyed most people. so many times, i would return from visits to your home or hospital room or doctors and think it was nearly "the end" but you always found something left to power you on. 

despite the tough-bitch-take-no-shit persona you showed to others, your core was compassionate and empathetic.  you loved animals; especially cats.  you were intelligent and acutely observant.  you could spot a phony a mile away.  you were always thinking of and doing for others, often to the detriment of your own needs.  you were witty and sarcastic and i loved it.

you would always apologize for being such a "difficult client" but i never hesitated to point out why you were strong, resiliant and powerful. you were your own harshest critic, going back over every detail of your life and only looking at the wrong turns.  

i know that you were trying to let me know you were dying three months ago but i wasn't seeing it.  i privately thought your death was imminent so many times previously i guess i thought you were invincible.

so today, when i got the call saying that you had passed away it seemed impossible.  and yet, i knew it would happen.  although you had finally gotten sober in the last six months, the damage had already been done.  your body was simultaneously fighting too many chronic battles; HIV, HCV, alcoholism and depression.

i hope you found peace at the end and it wasn't lonely. please know that i am a better person for having known you.  you taught me so much about perseverance, compassion, humility and  self discipline. 

i will miss you,

reneé

just wear it.

seriously though, it's important 'cause you just don't know who has what, if they know they've got it or if they just don't want to tell you what's really going on.

WAD

World AIDS Day is december 1st.

things you can do:

1) get tested. has it been over a year? don't assume that your doctor automatically completes this screen. in the US you have to sign a release to have it done.
today you can know your results in 20 minutes and often you don't need to give any blood. testers can now take an oral swab.

2) be educated. know your risk behaviors and be proud of how you protect yourself. make changes if you can. talk to friends and partners.

3) reach out. find a local AIDS service organization and volunteer. give money if you can't give time. is there a world aids day demonstration in your area? go out and see what's going on.

4) stay informed. look outside your own life and know how this disease is ravaging others in your country and around the world.

5) watch a movie: