Lets Kick ASS-Palm Springs Chapter

Take a selfie today and post with #ADayWithHIV.

Register to attend Senior Rally Day on May 4 and learn more about the California Master Plan for Aging http://www.4csl.org/senior-rally-day

REMEMBERING NATIVE LIVES LOST TO AIDS www.aidsmemorial.org or www.aidsmemorial.org/nativequilt The National AIDS Memorial honors Native Americans lost to AIDS with this special virtual exhibition of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, which features 16-Quilt blocks that contain panels made to honor loved ones from the American Indian, Alaska Native and the Native Hawaiian communities. ... Through this virtual exhibition, part of the National AIDS Memorial’s ongoing 50-state virtual Quilt exhibition, we share their stories, told through the surviving family, friends and lovers, who stitched together these panels of hope, healing and remembrance, to ensure their lives are always remembered through the power and beauty of the Quilt. Weaved throughout the displays, visitors will experience the beautiful cultural symbols sewn into the panels that are representative of the Native community. The Quilt is a powerful symbol of hope, healing and remembrance. It is also a teaching tool that connects the story of AIDS, finding a cure, and helping in important prevention, awareness and education efforts to tackle the growing rates of HIV infection in the U.S., particularly among communities of color. Indian Health Service analyzed HIV surveillance data reported to CDC by state and local health departments focusing on the non-Hispanic AI/AN population more than 13 years old from 2014-2018. Overall, from 2014 to 2018, among non-Hispanic AI/AN, the HIV diagnosis rate remained stable (2014: 7.6, 2018: 7.7 per 100,000). Increases were observed among those in the 13-24 years (8.2%) and 35-44 years (13.8%) age groups, with the latter having the highest percentage increase among all age groups. Overall, the death rates from 2014-2018 decreased by 31.4%. As for the Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander population, according to the HIV Surveillance Report 2020:31, HIV diagnoses increased 51% among NHPI overall from 2014 to 2018 Partners for this exhibition include the Indian Health Service, Kua`aina Associates, The National Native HIV Network, Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, Hawai`i Health & Harm Reduction, Gilead Sciences and Vivent Health. Special thanks to the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress for providing Quilt archive materials for some of the displays.

Free webinar from The Reunion Project https://mailchi.mp//1020-event-join-us-for-connecting-comm

The California Master Plan for Aging has been published. Follow the link to download your copy: https://mpa.aging.ca.gov/. In June 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order calling for the creation of a Master Plan for Aging (Master Plan) ( Executive Order N-14-19 ). The Executive Order affirmed the priority of the health and well-being of older Californians and the need for policies that promote healthy aging. It also called for a blueprint for state government, local government, the private sector, and philanthropy to prepare the state for the coming demographic changes and continue California’s leadership in aging, disability, and equity.

If you are over 50+ and HIV+ you can participate in a UCSF survey and be eligible for a $25 gift card. See below: Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study is to include the views and opinions of older adults living with HIV in the development of a tool to help screen for aging related conditions affecting older adults living with HIV.... Eligibility: Age 50 and older HIV + English and Spanish speakers How we will communicate with potential participants: If referred, the study team will call potential participants and state [YOUR NAME] said it was OK to tell you about a research study. Potential participants may also contact us directly through telephone: (415) 652-0549 or email: [email protected]. Both are listed in the recruitment flyer and/or may be given or sent electronically to the participant. What we will ask participants to do: Participate in a one-time 30 minute -hour long interview. Share views on quality of life, important health issues facing HIV+ older adults and what they would like their healthcare team to focus on as they are living longer with HIV. Participants will be given a $25 gift card for their time.

Thanks Daniel G Garza and HIV Positive Life for posting about us!

Thanks to Brothers of the Desert and Lorenzo Taylor for featuring me and Lets Kick ASS-Palm Springs Chapter in their December newsletter! It's a great privilege... to serve HIV long-term survivors and witnesses to the plague years in the Coachella Valley. BrothersoftheDesert.org and LKAPS.org should collaborate for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day #NBHAAD in February. See more

Follow the link to register for a January 6, 2021 (10-11am PT) webinar on "The Culture of LGBTQ Older Adults." Join Jennifer Pardini of Legal Assistance for Seniors and Karyn Skultety of Openhouse for a discussion on how we can build community, provide services, and create opportunities with and for LGBTQ older adults. Time will be reserved for Q&A. Closed Captioning will be available. https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6Jl3AUxOQ1esI46XRHtvkw

Next time you see your primary care physicians ask them if they are aware of continuing education credits on topics concerning HIV and Aging. Follow the link to see what's available. Our friends at Eisenhower (Annenberg Center for Health Sciences) were among organizations vetting the courses. The courses are intended for physicians ,pharmacists, registered nurses and other healthcare providers who treat, diagnose and refer older patients with HIV disease. Here's the link: https://aahivm-education.org/hiv-age/cmece-info

For World AIDS Day 2020, Jax Kelly, President of LKAPS.org presents a personal reflection on two icons in our community: Irene Soderberg, cabaret performer and HIV activist and Timothy Ray Brown, the "Berlin Patient." We are inspired by the lives they led. Both initially resisted the call to lead, but found strength and love in helping others. Today let's remember all the people who came before us in the struggle for greater access to healthcare and a cure for HIV/AIDS. The link to the YouTube video is below. https://youtu.be/9iC7ncg2ggc

You may be already overbooked for World AIDS Day, but check out this virtual event from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History https://naturalhistory.si.edu//video-webinars-outbreak-epi Since 1988 World AIDS Day has been an opportunity to remember those lost and support those affected, while uniting in the goal of ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Join us for World AIDS Day this year for a three-part series that honors those who have made a difference: healthcare... workers who comforted those with AIDS, activists who fought and still fight for better policies and treatments, and scientists who have worked for decades to save lives. All programs will be moderated by Sabrina Sholts, Curator of Biological Anthropology. These free programs will be presented as Zoom video webinars. Links will be emailed to all registrants; click the event titles to register. December 1 from 12p-1pm PT is titled "HIV Activists and Caretakers"; December 2 from 12pm-1pm PT is titled "Scientific Advances in HIV Detection and Treatment"; December 3 from 12pm-1pm PT is titled " How Laws and Policies Affect the Spread of HIV."