Women step up to raise HIV/AIDS awareness
By, The Desert Times, August 10, 2007
AIDS is a disease with the ability to affect many people - including women and children.
The 100 Women group at Desert AIDS Project knows that and is trying to spread awareness.
"My initial motivation was that if we could get 100 women to step up and become major donors, it could (help) our female clients," said founder Susan Unger.
The group, now almost two years old, is made up of female donors who support the Desert AIDS Project. In the last two years, they have raised about $150,000. All of that money is earmarked for programs that benefit women and children.
"They don't want to just write a check," Unger said. "They want to volunteer and make a difference."
The group was founded to aid the growing number of women who are infected with HIV or AIDS in the valley.
"Many see it mainly as gay men (who have the disease)," 100 Women member Joy White said. "The female population is growing."
Desert AIDS Project Executive Director David Brinkman said the gay male community has been impacted for years by educational programs, but women and children have not received the individualized care.
The group hopes to increase outreach and education. For example, they are helping the Desert AIDS Project fund a women's health fair.
"When you feel like you are the only one, you're isolated, it's very rewarding to see these leaders stepping up and lending a hand," Brinkman said.
The group hosts quarterly events that feature a guest speaker, sometimes a client of the Desert AIDS Project. New and current members can attend the events to learn more about how AIDS affects women and children.
Source: http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070810/NEWS01/708100301
AIDS is a disease with the ability to affect many people - including women and children.
The 100 Women group at Desert AIDS Project knows that and is trying to spread awareness.
"My initial motivation was that if we could get 100 women to step up and become major donors, it could (help) our female clients," said founder Susan Unger.
The group, now almost two years old, is made up of female donors who support the Desert AIDS Project. In the last two years, they have raised about $150,000. All of that money is earmarked for programs that benefit women and children.
"They don't want to just write a check," Unger said. "They want to volunteer and make a difference."
The group was founded to aid the growing number of women who are infected with HIV or AIDS in the valley.
"Many see it mainly as gay men (who have the disease)," 100 Women member Joy White said. "The female population is growing."
Desert AIDS Project Executive Director David Brinkman said the gay male community has been impacted for years by educational programs, but women and children have not received the individualized care.
The group hopes to increase outreach and education. For example, they are helping the Desert AIDS Project fund a women's health fair.
"When you feel like you are the only one, you're isolated, it's very rewarding to see these leaders stepping up and lending a hand," Brinkman said.
The group hosts quarterly events that feature a guest speaker, sometimes a client of the Desert AIDS Project. New and current members can attend the events to learn more about how AIDS affects women and children.
Source: http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070810/NEWS01/708100301
posted by AIDS-Care-Watch at 11:15 am
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