Category: News

New HIV infections among African American women have decreased by 21 percent between 2008 and 2010, according to new figures released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). African American women are far more affected by HIV/AIDS than other women in the USA, with the rate of new infections 20 times greater than white women and 5 times greater than Hispanic women. However, it is hoped that the improvement in rates of HIV infection among African American women will last. Joseph Prejean of the CDC told Reuters, “We are encouraged to see some declines among African-American women… …

(As taken from Nature.com) The huge, ten-year-old US program that provides HIV treatment and prevention in dozens of developing countries needs to begin shifting to host-country ownership of the programs, according to an advisory report released today. The 700-page report, from the US Institute of Medicine, also says that the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which spent $15 billion between 2004 and 2011, needs to increase its emphasis on HIV prevention, particularly through sexual transmission. “There really needs to be an emphasis on looking at the prevention portfolio, on sexual transmission,” says Ann Kurth, a member of the …

 From The Huffington Post… The popular Tony Award-winning Broadway show “Avenue Q” and Logo TV are teaming up for a national public service announcement — or “puppet service announcement” — campaign to heighten awareness regarding HIV with the first of six on-air spots set to debut during the 90-minute premiere of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season five.   READ MORE…. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/24/avenue-q-logo-hiv_n_2536650.html?utm_hp_ref=email_share  

“Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead…… By FACT Public Relations Person and Board Member, Cora Berke….. I had the pleasure of interviewing Michael Gardner, best known as New Hope’s fabulous Miss Pumpkin, on New Year’s Day.  He was working at Jon and Peter’s where he has been for 4 years. They were having a Pajama Brunch and Michael was not only wearing flannel pajamas, but as always, his heart on his sleeve. He was working tirelessly after having worked at the Raven …

See the full story as posted by The Huffington Post… Researchers at Stanford University have created HIV-resistant T-cells, a breakthrough that, if proven successful in humans, could potentially stop the virus from developing into AIDS. The discovery was announced in Tuesday’s issue of Molecular Therapy, and according to researchers, could replace lifelong drug treatments and protect the immune systems of those infected. Go to… http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/23/hiv-resistant-cells_n_2538319.html?ir=Gay+Voices

  (Frank Guarrieri, Nathan Townsend of FSA and Robert Szwajkos) Bucks County law firm Curtin & Heefner LLP supported the Bucks County Opportunity Council and the Family Service Association of Bucks County [FSA] by donating 14 Thanksgiving baskets to the community organizations which were then dispersed to individuals and families in need. The firm donated turkeys and pies, and the firm’s staff and attorneys donated all the trimmings for complete Thanksgiving dinners. “Our firm has been participating in this holiday giving program for more than a decade. We are dedicated to giving back to and bettering the Bucks County community …

  (As submitted by Tim Philpot, Secretary, FACT Bucks County)   FACT VP, Herb Andrus and, FACT and Tim Philpot had the opportunity to be part of a wonderful Holiday gathering at Family Services Association of Bucks County in Langhorne, PA (http://www.fsabc.org/) this past week.  Nathan Townsend (HIV/AIDS Care Outreach Specialist) and other staff from Family Services presented a great holiday gathering for their clients, many of whom are those who we have supported and continue to support with the funds FACT raises.   It was a combination support group, celebration, and educational session and Nathan did a terrific job.    In …

Too many young people continue to become infected and few are tested for HIV Young people between the ages of 13 and 24 represent more than a quarter of new HIV infections each year (26 percent) and most of these youth living with HIV (60 percent) are unaware they are infected, according to a Vital Signs report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The most-affected young people are young gay and bisexual men and African-Americans, the report says. The analysis looks at the latest data on HIV infections, testing, and risk behaviors among young people and was published …