THE NEWSLETTER OF the HAWAI ’ I ISLAND HIV/AIDS FOUNDATION
CHOICES
July 22, 2009
August 2009
Triple-Drug Regimen Works Well for Heavily
Treatment-Experienced Patients by Tim Horn
A drug regimen containing Isentress (raltegravir), Intelence (etravirine) and Norvir (ritonavir)–boosted
Prezista (darunavir) continues to work astonishingly well in a French clinical trial involving heavily treat-
ment-experienced people living with HIV. About 86 percent of those using this potent regimen active
against drug-resistant virus have undetectable viral loads after 48 weeks of treatment, report researchers
from the Agence Nationale de Recherches sur le Sida et les Hépatites Virales (ANRS) 139 TRIO study
team at the Fifth International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Pre-
vention in Cape Town.
Isentress, Intelence and Prezista are three of the newest antiretrovirals (ARVs), initially approved specifi-
cally for treatment-experienced people living with HIV; both Isentress and Prezista are now also approved
for treatment-naive patients.
Because these compounds—an integrase inhibitor, a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor
(NNRTI) and a protease inhibitor (PI), respectively—were being evaluated in clinical trials around the same
time, studies evaluating the use of all three agents together were not possible. However, because these
three drugs have demonstrated effectiveness against HIV resistant to older ARVs, they were expected to
perform well when used together.
Only now have researchers begun to understand exactly how much these drugs—especially when used
in combination with each other—have to offer patients with a great deal of previous treatment experience
under their belts.
Data from the 24-week TRIO study were reported at last year’s International AIDS Conference in Mexico
City. The 48-week data were reported at IAS in Cape Town by Yazdan Yazdanpanah, MD, PhD, of the
Centre Hospitalier de Tourcoing in Tourcoing, France.
The study enrolled 103 HIV-positive patients to take Isentress, Intelence and
Norvir-boosted Prezista with an optional background regimen of nucleoside re-
verse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) with or without Fuzeon (enfuvirtide). Inside this issue:
Eighty-eight percent of the patients were male, and the average age was 45.
The average viral load upon entering the study was 10,000 copies, and the aver-
We are HIHAF 2
age CD4 cell count was 255. Patients had been on ARV treatment for an average
of 13 years. Sisters of P-I 3
As for pre-treatment resistance profiles, patients in TRIO had an average of four Nutrition 4
major PI mutations, five major NRTI mutations and one major NNRTI mutation in Mental Health 5
their HIV, which was evidence of significant drug resistance. Additionally, 96 per-
cent and 65 percent of patients had between one and three HIV mutations confer- News 6
ring at least partial resistance to Prezista and Intelence, respectively. The authors HIHAF Stuff 7
also reported that 59 percent of the patients were using a background regimen Medical 8
that didn’t contain any ARVs that were fully active against their HIV. Summer Time 9
Continued on page 3
Drago’s 10
5th International AIDS Society
Conference on HIV Pathogenisis, Notices 11
Calendar 12
Treatment and prevention
Cape Town South Africa July 19—22 2009
CHOICES Hawai’i Island HIV/AIDS Foundation
is a publication of the
Hawaii Island HIV/AIDS Foundation
75-240 Nani-Kailua Dr. Suite 5
Kailua-Kona, HI. 96740
Phone: 331.8177
Mission Statement
Fax: 331.0762
E-mail: hihaf@hihaf.org The Hawaii Island HIV/AIDS Foundation is a non-profit
organization dedicated to assisting those affected by
16-204 Melekahiwa Pl. HIV/AIDS to maximize their quality of life, and to ending
Kea’au, HI. 96749 the spread of HIV. We also utilize the lessons learned in
Phone: 982.8800 the HIV epidemic to care and advocate for others in the
FAX: 982.8802 fight against related diseases.
Georgie Kennedy/Executive Director Vision
To build a healthier, stronger, and more sustainable
Staff Hilo community that supports all its members with a focus
Cindy Medeiros/Benefits Specialist on HIV issues.
Farrah Rivera RN/Treatment Advocate
Diana Glynn/Housing Coordinator Core Values
Daron Scarborough/Prevention Specialist Responsiveness: To people with HIV/AIDS and
John Puig/Prevention Specialist their families and to the prevention education needs of
Cyd Hoffeld/Prevention Specialist
the community.
David Deges/Administrative Assistant
Accountability: To our consumers, funding sources,
and the community at large.
Staff Kona
Integrity: To provide services to the entire community in
Teri Hollowell/Director of Programming
Wing Takakuwa/Treatment Advocate
a humane, loving, non-judgmental manner.
Winic Pierce/Benefits Specialist Diversity: To embrace the philosophy of inclusiveness.
Gene Smith/Client-Prevention Services
Bernadette Haleamau-Mason/ Collaboration: To establish and maintain partnerships
Prevention Specialist within the community that maximizes resources and
Bernadette Keeling/Accounting Assistant decreases duplication of services.
Laurie Soares/Administrative Assistant Leadership: To set the highest standards for
responsibility to our mission, vision and values, and be
recognized as a positive, inspirational role model in our
BOARD OF DIRECTORS community.
Melissa Atwood/Board President Advocacy: A collective public voice to speak on behalf
Kathy Kuharski/Secretary of those affected by HIV/AIDS.
Todd Swaggerty/Treasurer
David Karl/President Elect
David Fero/Secretary Elect
Nick L. Sutton/Treasurer Elect
Postsecret.blogspot.com
Editorial Policy
The articles contained in this publication are meant to inform and entertain
only. They do not constitute an endorsement. The publication of any name or
image does not necessarily imply anything about that persons condition,
health or sexual orientation. The opinions expressed are those of individual
authors and do not necessarily represent official positions of HIHAF or any
other organization mentioned herein.
Contributions of articles and other materials for publication are encouraged
and welcomed.
2
Good Habits by Trenton Straube
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence has been blessing us for
three decades.
In 1979, three free-spirited men wearing nun habits hit the streets of San Francisco to challenge con-
formity and homophobia. Today, The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence has grown into an order of about 600
sisters, some whom are living with HIV, in nearly 20 orders worldwide.
“We’re not drag queens, we’re not all men, and we’re not all gay,” clarifies Sister Edith Myflesh of the
San Francisco order. “We consider ourselves nuns, and part of our job is taking care of people who tradi-
tional religion passes on.”
When the epidemic first hit, the sisters made AIDS a major focus. They’re responsible for one of the first
AIDS candlelight vigils and safe-sex pamphlets, titled Play Fair! Back in 1982, nobody wanted to hear
about condoms, recalls founder Sister Hysterectoria. “Instead of men saying [to play safe] it was nuns, and
that made it more palpable.”
Although theatrics and partying remain part of their mantra, the sisters still make AIDS activism a prior-
ity—they deliver food and sweets such as strawberries and chocolate to AIDS hospices, march in demon-
strations, teach safer-sex seminars and raise funds for numerous AIDS services—last year, the San Fran
order raised more than $200,000.
And in countries with socialized
medicine, according to Sister Inno-
centa of Paris, the order’s focus turns
from money to education and minis-
try—which often entails simply listen-
ing to a lonely patron at a bar.
Because they’re on the fringe,
notes Sister Unity Divine of Los Ange-
les, they’re able to service constitu-
ents overlooked by mainstream agen-
cies. The freak factor underscores a
message: “If we’re here looking as we
look,” she says, “there’s room for you
to be who you are with no shame or
fear.” Amen to that!
From page 1
Yet the results after nearly 12 months are remarkable. According to Yazdanpanah, 93 patients (90 percent)
had viral loads below 50 copies after 24 weeks. Between weeks 24 and 48, only four patients experienced
viral load rebounds while on this drug regimen, reducing the overall effectiveness rate to 86 percent.
Yazdanpanah and his colleagues also observed an average CD4 count increase of 99 cells after 24
weeks.
The regimen containing Isentress, Intelence and Norvir-boosted Prezista, Yazdanpanah said, was gen-
erally well tolerated. Serious adverse effects have been reported in 15 patients, but only four of these are
believed to be related to the treatment regimen. One patient with a rash and fever discontinued treatment.
Significant increases in creatinine levels—a sign of muscle damage—were noted in 11 patients, and in
four patients, sharp increases in the liver enzyme GGT were reported. However, none of these individuals
has discontinued treatment.
Yazdanpanah said that the study is ongoing and that additional data from the final 96-week time point
will be reported in the future.
3
Taro, Sweet Potato and Ulu Salad
From The Hawai`i Farmers Market Cookbook
by The Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation
1 cup cubes (1 inch) of cooked Chinese taro
1 cup cubes (1 inch) of cooked Okinawan (purple) sweet potato
1 cup cubes (1 inch) of cooked golden sweet potato
1 cup cubes (1 inch) of cooked ulu (breadfruit)
2 stalks green onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup diced celery
1/2 cup sliced sweet onion
1 tsp. Hawaiian salt
1 tsp. ground pepper
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 cup of your favorite salad dressing
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Toss gently to combine. Makes 4 servings.
ACTIVE NUTRITION
These vegetables contain iron, potassium, calcium, fiber
4
Hawai`i Ranks Second in Well-Being Index
GALLUP AND HEALTHWAYS MEASURE OUR NATION’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.
Hawai`i was ranked as the second happiest state n the nation (behind Utah), according to the 2008
Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. Hawai`I had the best scores in the country for emotional M
health and life evaluation, and ranked in the top 10 for physical health, healthy behavior, and access
to basic health care. E
The survey is the largest collection of data related to the nation’s health and well-being ever con-
ducted. It was based on telephone surveys of more than 350,000 adults who were asked 70 ques-
tions about their lives, including their sense of well-being, health, economics, work, community and
N
daily experiences.
The gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index was developed by Gallup, the world-renowned provider T
of public opinion data, and Healthways, the largest provider of wellness programs for health care
plans and businesses. A revolutionary measure for gauging U.S. health and well-being, the national A
index measures the daily pulse of Americans.
Over the next 25 years, the index will continue to track more than 1,000 U.S. residents each day.
The goal is to gather data to help community leaders, policymakers and employers devise viable so-
L
lutions to our country’s health problems. “We have to think bigger about health care—that’s the
message from this data,” says Karen Ignagni, president of America’s Health Insurance Plans.
By Lucy Jokiel...Island Scene Magazine Summer 2009 H
E
Stress Busters
A
• Laugh. Studies show that humor helps lower stress hormones, improve circulation, and
strengthen the immune system.
L
• Take a walk. Brisk, daily walking for 30 minutes can reduce blood pressure and boost your T
mood.
H
• Talk it out. Sharing your troubles with a trusted friend helps you see things more clearly.
• Find healthy outlets for frustrations. Take up a new hobby, learn a new language, or volunteer.
• Nurture yourself. Set aside leisure time everyday just for yourself. Curl up with a good book, get a
massage, or take a long bath.
• Practice meditation. Daily meditation lowers blood pressure, reduces anxiety, and improves sleep.
• Listen to music. Studies show that listening to music reduces blood pressure and enhances relaxation.
• Eat healthy. Don’t skip meals or gorge on fast foods, and watch your alcohol intake.
• Avoid information overload. Set aside time to stay unplugged and connect with others.
• Manage your time wisely. Make a list of your priorities and review them weekly
5
Proposed removal of HIV from the list of diseases that keep
who are not U.S. citizens from entering the United States
The Department to Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Disease Control on Prevention
(CDC) are proposing the removal of HIV from the list of disease that keep people who are not U.S. citizens
from entering the United States. This law has kept people who are HIV+ from entering the United States
for the past 20 years. Not only does this regulation prevent foreigners from visiting family and friends living
in the United States, but has also prevented the United States from Hosting any International HIV/AIDS
Conference on our soil. This regulation caused the cancelation of a Conference that was to be held in San
Francisco in 1998. The HHC/CDC posted a notice on their web site on July 2, and is seeking public com-
ment until August 17, 2009. A simple statement stating that” you support the removal of HIV from the list
of diseases keeping HIV+ visitors from entering the United States” is all that is required.
The web site is http://cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/laws_regs/fed_reg/remove-hiv/index_hiv.htm
Air Force Vet Refused Job Based NEWS
on HIV Status Med Alert
An Air Force veteran was denied a position as a baggage • New prescribing info from the FDA
screener with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) notes that some Kaletra (lopinavir/
because he is HIV positive. On June 11, the American Civil Liber- ritonavir) takers have developed heart-
rhythm disturbances (though it’s not
ties Union (ACLU) filed a complaint against the TSA on his behalf,
clear that the protease inhibitor causes
demanding that the organization rescind his disqualification from the problem).
the job.
“I was looking for a way to be able to serve my country once • French researchers have reported
again and to supplement my income through this financial crisis four cases in which Intelence (etravirine,
with the possibility of changing my career,” Michael Lamarre said a non-nuke) seemed to lower levels of
in a statement. “But after a lengthy interview and screening proc- Isentress (raltegravir, an integrase inhibi-
ess, I was told that I am incapable and unworthy because I have tor) in the blood. This interaction could
HIV.” undermine a combo’s effectiveness.
He continued: “I am a long-term HIV survivor, and it has never
interfered in my ability to work. As I have learned having lived with Alcoholism and HIV Might
HIV for nearly 20 years, people with HIV need to be able to make Affect Short-Term Memory
a living and support themselves just like everyone else as well as A new study has found that HIV infection
have the right to serve their country.” and chronic drinking can cause problems
From 1984 to 1987, Lamarre worked in intelligence for the Na- with short-term episodic memory, Health-
tional Security Administration while serving in the Air Force. He Day News reports.
has lived with HIV for 19 years and currently has an undetectable According to a study that appears in
viral load. After submitting his most recent lab results for a re- an online version of Alcoholism: Clinical
quired physical—including a form from his doctor stating that HIV and Experimental Research, more than
would not interfere with his baggage screener duties—he was de- half of HIV-positive clinic patients were
nied the job. also heavy drinkers. While the patients’
Comprehensive Health Services, the firm administering the long-term memory seemed unaffected,
physical, said that HIV makes him more susceptible for viral infec- they did appear to have more problems
tions, and that denying him the position was for his own good. with their short-term memory, which is
associated with the ability to learn new
“In the nearly 20 years that Michael Lamarre has lived with HIV,
information.
it has never affected his ability to work,” said Robert Rosenwald, Sara Jo Nixon, PhD, a professor in the
director of the LGBT Project of the ACLU of Florida, in a state- department of psychiatry at the Univer-
ment. “HIV discrimination is always wrong, but it is especially sity of Florida at Gainsville, said that the
shameful when government is behind the discrimination. I hope inability to learn might affect various as-
the TSA recognizes the harm it is causing Michael and our country pects of an HIV-positive person’s life,
by refusing to hire a highly motivated and qualified employee.” such as adhering to medication rou-
tines. 6
Hawaii Island Hiv/Aids
Foundation Receives 2009
Best of Keaau Award
U.S. Commerce Association’s
Award Plaque Honors the Achieve-
ment
WASHINGTON D.C., June 8, 2009 --
Hawaii Island Hiv/Aids Foun-
dation has been selected for the
2009 Best of Keaau Award in
the Public Welfare Center cate-
gory by the U.S. Commerce As-
sociation (USCA).
The USCA "Best of Local
Business" Award Program rec-
ognizes outstanding local busi-
nesses throughout the country.
Each year, the USCA identifies
companies that they believe
have achieved exceptional mar-
keting success in their local
community and business cate-
gory. These are local companies
that enhance the positive image
of small business through ser-
vice to their customers and com-
munity.
Various sources of information
were gathered and analyzed to
choose the winners in each cate-
gory. The 2009 USCA Award
Program focused on quality, not
quantity. Winners are deter-
mined based on the information
gathered both internally by the
USCA and data provided by
third parties.
About U.S. Commerce Asso-
ciation (USCA)
U.S. Commerce Association
(USCA) is a Washington D.C.
based organization funded by
local businesses operating in
towns, large and small, across
Turn straw into gold! On August 22nd The 11th annual Taste of Life America. The purpose of USCA
will take place, and through our auction you can turn the antiques and collectibles that you no is to promote local business
longer desire, into funds that directly impact our organization. The auction happens through through public relations, market-
the efforts of board members, volunteers and HIHAF staff. Financial support happens in many ing and advertising.
ways: underwriting in the form of business and individual sponsorships helps to defray the The USCA was established to
costs of the event, donated items create an inventory for the sale, and of course, buyers fuel recognize the best of local busi-
the event and create the excitement that marks the auction. nesses in their community. Our
Now s the time to consider what you might donate to the auction. We love to get unique organization works exclusively with
and one-of-a-kind items. Do you have antiques from around the world? Heirloom quality home local business owners, trade groups,
accessories? A special collection you are no longer enthused about? Personal talents others professional associations, chambers
will pay for? Take stock. So many of us have items of value that we don’t really use or need. of commerce and other business
Donating them to Hawai’i Island HIV/AIDS Foundation’s Taste of Life auction is a perfect way advertising and marketing groups.
to turn them into instant support for the community. Our mission is to be an advocate for
Buyers take note: There are great bargains to be had at the auction. Be prepared to break small and medium size businesses
open the piggybank! CALL GENE 331.8177 and business entrepreneurs
across America. 7
M Kombucha Tea to...Gila Monster Spit? by Mark de Sole Price
In the early days of AIDS, my friends and I searched desperately for treatments. We tried some
E pretty weird stuff, like Japanese kombucha mushroom tea. Then HIV meds appeared (and
worked), and I grew accustomed to taking more traditional treatments in pills and shots.
D
But now, 26 years into life with HIV/AIDS, I have a slew of other conditions—including, most re-
cently, diabetes. My damaged liver rules out various oral diabetes meds, so I inject a new drug,
Byetta (exenatide). Doing background reading, I was transported back to those early days of HIV
treatments with odd names and origins: Byetta is a synthetic form of the saliva of the venomous
I Gila monster—a protein in the lizard’s spit helps control blood sugar. Though recent FDA reports
alarmingly link Byetta to cases of pancreatitis, it seems to work for me. Gotta love that liz-
ard.
C The Heart of the Matter Be a Brainiac by Laura Whitehorn
by Laura Whitehorn
HIV can cause cognitive problems. With help
A If you take the HIV med abacavir (found in
Ziagen, Epzicom and Trizivir) and you’ve seen
from Scott Letendre, MD, of the University of
California in San Diego, we offer these tips for
the news reports linking the drug to a heightened fighting brain drain:
l risk of heart attack, we have a reminder for you: • DO note lapses in memory or motor abili-
Even with the increased risk, the actual danger of ties. Early detection allows early treatment,
increasing your chance to reverse any prob-
heart attack remains low.
lems totally.
Experts still don’t know why abacavir seems to raise heart-
attack risk—it could be blood vessel inflammation, a blood • DON’T do meth or coke. These drugs
clotting problem or something else. And the drug’s manu- have been shown to damage the brain—even
facturer, GlaxoSmithKline, says it hasn’t seen a rise in when used occasionally.
heart-attack risk in any of the company’s own abacavir
studies. • DO try crosswords, sudoku and other
mental challenges. They won’t fully protect
Marshall Glossy, MD, PhD, of Weill Cornell Medical College your brain, but they may help remedy im-
in New York City, says, “The risk is more of an issue in peo- paired functioning and help you notice when
ple with major risk factors for heart disease. In the big pic- problems are worsening.
ture,” he advises, “people with modifiable heart-disease risk
factors like smoking should pay attention to those, which • DO take all HIV meds consistently. Keep-
almost certainly pose more of a risk to their health than tak- ing HIV checked can help keep CD4 levels
ing abacavir.” up. (Low CD4 counts seem to connect with
brain problems.)
All this news may make your heart beat faster, but know
this as well: HIV itself seems to cause more thickening of • DO choose an HIV med that penetrates
certain blood vessel walls (a cause of heart disease) than the central nervous system if you have cogni-
antiretroviral drugs do. Studies have shown (and you’ve tive problems before you start your first HIV
read about them here) that taking HIV meds continuously regimen (see box below).
resulted in less heart disease than not taking the meds.
The Latest List of HIV meds that cross into
the brain: zidovudine (in Retrovir, Combivir
and Trizivir); abacavir (in Ziagen, Epzicom
and Trizivir); emtricitabine (in Emtriva, Tru-
vada and Atripla); nevirapine (Viramune); lopi-
navir/ritonavir (Kaletra); maraviroc (Selzentry);
and ritonavir-boosted atazanavir (Reyataz);
fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan)
and darunavir (Prezista).
8
Summer Musts! by LaToya Johnson
READ
Fall River Boys (Charles Lane Press, $85) HIV-positive photographer Richard Renaldi’s book captures
young men coming of age in Fall River, Massachusetts. Taken during the past eight years, the 89 black
and white pics depict both the teens and the landscapes of this once booming industrial city. Even better:
The Hours scribe Michael Cunningham pens the introduction.
WATCH
Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom (logoonline.com, $19.99) While this popular LOGO series about four gay
African-American men ended in 2007, this film picks up where the last season left off. The gang travels to
Martha’s Vineyard to celebrate Noah and Wade’s upcoming nuptials. Expect a lot of drama, laughter and
a few surprises. That’s the de-gaga!
LISTEN TO
Living With It (vcuhealth.org, $7.50) HIV-positive wordsmiths set 12 innovative poems to the sounds of
world famous saxophonist J. Plunky Branch and other musicians. Sponsored by the Arts in Healthcare
program at the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, this compilation CD seeks to raise
AIDS awareness among African Americans, youth and women. Word.
DOWNLOAD
Dr. Rachael’s SEX-Planatory Podcast (drrachael.com) The online show gives you the rundown on sexu-
ally transmitted infections (STIs), relationship advice and sex tips. Don’t worry, you’re in good hands:
Rachael L. Ross, MD, PhD,
is the resident sexpert for Real Health, POZ’s sister magazine. The doctor is in, and she’ll see you now.
Pick Picaridin — A New Mosquito Repellent for the Whole Family
“The best repellent is one you’ll actually use.”
— Joe Conlon, mosquito control expert and former Naval entomologist
According to mosquito expert Joe Conlon, wearing insect repellents is crucial. “It’s your last line of defense against mosquito
bites,” Conlon says, “so it’s important to apply repellents thoroughly and properly every time you’re outdoors.”
But not all insect repellents are created equal.
Cutter® Advanced™ Insect Repellent is made with Picaridin (pronounced “pick-CARE-a-den”), the latest in insect repellent
technology. Developed in the 1990s as a replacement for DEET-based insect repellents, Cutter Advanced Insect Repellent with
Picaridin is truly a next-generation insect repellent offering long lasting protection in an odorless formula. In fact, Picaridin is
recommended by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for effective
protection against mosquitoes that may carry the West Nile virus and other insect-borne diseases.
Picaridin is proven to be an effective alternative to DEET and can be applied to children as young as 2 months of age, making
Cutter Advanced Insect Repellent with Picaridin the ideal choice to provide trusted, odorless protection for the entire family.
For more information, visit www.picaridin.com or www.cutteradvanced.com.
Are You Summer W-I-S-E?
As summer approaches, most people know to
wear sunscreen and stay hydrated when outside,
but what about protecting themselves from an-
other outdoor danger? Mosquito bites remain a
top summer skin care concern, but a recent sur-
vey revealed that a staggering 60 percent of
adults do not use insect repellents at all.
This year, the makers of Cutter® Advanced™
Insect Repellent encourage everyone to be Sum-
mer W-I-S-E and always carry a:
9
Urge Congress to act on a 3-year extension for the Ryan White Program by the Sep-
tember 30, 2009, Expiration
As a member organization of the Communities Advocating Emergency AIDS Relief (CAEAR) Coalition, The San
Francisco AIDS Foundation joins its national partners to endorse CAEAR's call for action to secure an extension
of the Ryan White Program before the September 30 expiration. It is vital for the Ryan White community to re-
main actively engaged with Congress on this issue to convey in the strongest possible terms that timely Ryan
White extension is a top priority.
3 things you can do to safeguard the Ryan White Program:
1. Call Your Members of Congress
CAEAR asks all Ryan White stakeholders who haven't already done so to contact their members of Congress this
week and urge passage of a three-year extension to the bill that reflects recommendations endorsed by over
240 HIV/AIDS organizations in 45 states, DC and Puerto Rico. The recommendations can be found on CAEAR
Coalition's web site.
Ask your members of Congress to reach out to the leadership of the House Energy and Commerce Committee
and the Senate HELP Committee and express their support for swift action on the extension.
To reach your members of Congress, call the Capitol Switchboard at 1-800-828-0498. If you are unsure who
your member of Congress is, click here and enter your zip code in the tool on the right hand side of the web
page.
2. Sign the Ryan White Extension Community Consensus Document
If the organization where you work, volunteer or receive services has not signed the Ryan White Extension
Community Consensus Document, the recommendations endorsed by over 240 HIV/AIDS organizations, then
urge them to sign now. The more diverse the list of signatories, the more weight the recommendations will have
on Capitol Hill.
The recommendations can be viewed here. To sign on, contact either of the Federal AIDS Policy Partnership
(FAPP) Ryan White Work Group co-chairs, Laura Hanen (202-434-8091, lhanen@nastad.org) and Bill McColl
(202-530-8030 x3096, wmccoll@aidsaction.org).
3. Forward this Alert to Your Networks
We need your help to spread the word. Forward this message and future alerts to your staff, clients, grant-
ees, board members, loved ones, and others who care about the Ryan White Program. Give the entire commu-
nity a chance to fight for a program that serves people living with HIV/AIDS. Forward the message!
Drago’s
Corner Speak out
MAHALO, to Brad Curry for providing vegetable starts to clients of the Kea`au office
each week. Your generosity helps provide additional help for the clients who are able
to harvest free vegetables and provide extra nutrition for their meals. Mahalo Brad
10
TASTE
OF
LIFE
AUGUST
22
PASS THE WORD
PLEASE KOKUA….
We need your assistance to help our
Administrative Department. We ask that any bills or
invoices that you turn in to your case manager for
Ryan White financial assistance be the ORIGINAL
bill or invoice. Our agency’s financial procedures re-
quire our Administrative
Department to have the original bills or invoices sub-
mitted to them in order to process payment. We will
The Hawai’i Island be happy to make a copy for you to keep for your own-
HIV/AIDS records if you need one.
Mahalo Nui Loa, Your Friendly Case Managers
Foundation offices
will NOT be closed
In August Hilo side Haircutters
Closed Monday, September 7 are doing it again on
Labor day Thursday
August 20th
between 2 & 4.
Call 982-8800
Let’s Dance 3 !!!! for an appointment
and come with clean
hair.
We are seasoned
professionals, ears will be spared.
watch Check your email for dates.
for details
We have
purified
water
available
Just ask
September 2009
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 Mitzi- 4 5
Gaynor’s
Birthday 78
6 Labor day 7 8 9 10 Lola 11 12
CLOSED Falana’s
Birthday 65
13 14 15 Stay away16 17 Greta 18 19
from Seattle Garbo’s
day Birthday 103
Festival 20 21 1st day 22 23 24 Will 25 26
of Al Fitir of Smith’s
Autumn Birthday 40
27 Ask a 28 29 30
Stupid
Question Day
Au g u s t 2 0 0 9
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2 National 3 4 5 6 Sea 7 8
Watermelon Serpent
Day Day
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 Connie 20 Wilt 21 TASTE of 22
Chung’s Chambelain’s LIFE
Birthday Birthday
23 24 25 26 Pee Wee
27 Shania 28 29
Twain’s
Herman’s Birthday
Birthday
30 31