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Apologies for not posting this sooner. And remember -- it's not too late to donate, www...indianaaidswalk...org for info. :)
Indiana AIDS Walk & Ride 2009, “A Moving Celebration” that raises nearly $156,000 for Hoosiers living with HIV/AIDS
Organizers urge Hoosiers to log on to www...indianaAIDSwalk.. and continue the giving in these tough economic times.
INDIANAPOLIS--
The director of the Indiana AIDS Fund, Stephen Everett, thanked
attendees of this year’s Indiana AIDS Walk & Ride during a short
awards ceremony between musical selections from the stage. “Thanks to
the generosity of individuals, teams and sponsors, the total for
today’s Indiana AIDS Walk & Ride is $155,900,” said Everett. “This
will allow DEFA to help as many people as possible, thank you very,
very much.”
Rain and clouds gave way to sunshine and pleasant
temperatures setting the stage for the perfect day as The Indiana AIDS
Fund hosted the 19th Annual Indiana AIDS Walk & Ride at University
Park, adjacent to the Indiana War Memorial on Meridian and Vermont
Streets. The event drew more than 1,200 participants who mobilized to
meet the emergency needs of the more than 10,000 persons living in
Indiana who live with HIV/AIDS. Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, First
Lady Winnie Ballard, Marion County Health Department Director Virginia
Caine, M.D., event co-chairs Reverend Judith Carson and Stephanie
Koning, and other dignitaries joined in the festivities to support
Hoosiers living with HIV/AIDS who find themselves in need of emergency
help.
Individual participants and teams solicited pledges from
family, friends, co-workers, employers and others to benefit the
Gregory R. Powers Direct Emergency Financial Assistance (DEFA) program
that provides needed assistance to HIV/AIDS patients in emergency
situations through HIV/AIDS service agencies across the state providing
hands on care assistance.
This 5K walk and 10K bicycle fun
ride drew participants from all over the state including college (and
college related) teams (Purdue, Butler, Earlham, IUPUI, Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity), corporate teams (Lilly, St. Vincent’s), to faith based
(The Church Within, All Saint’s Episcopal Church), and memorial teams
(Terry’s Troopers , Team Gregs—honoring Powers who the DEFA program is
named for). Participants were sent off and greeted upon return by the
exuberant cheering of Indianapolis Public Schools’ Washington Community
School Cheerleaders. The fabulous day centered around family-..friendliness,
healthy activities, food, fun and live entertainment for the public
organized and executed by a full team of dedicated volunteers who came
together from all walks of life for one cause.
With the
uncertainty of the economy and the average of infection rates for HIV
in Indiana (in 2008, there was on average a newly diagnosed case per
day according to Indiana State Department of Health statistics),
organizers asked the public to continue to log on and give. Donors can
log on to www...indianaAIDSwalk...org to make contributions.
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Examples of DEFA in ACTION. (Stories from the front lines of HIV/AIDS in Indiana on how money is used):
A
pregnant client of mine was assaulted by her boyfriend and went into
early labor. Her baby was born weighing only about 2 lbs. When I took
her home from the hospital, I realized that she had no furniture in her
apartment. She had asked me for a few things for the baby and some
kitchen items, but until I went to her house, I did not realize how
bare it was. She had nothing in her living room or dining room—only a
blow-up mattress, a TV, and a small crib in her bedroom. She reported
that she had been trying to buy things a little at a time. My client
had been working full-time but due to frequent doctor’s appointments
and complications with the baby, she had missed a lot of work. So, her
bills were pilling up and she did not know where to turn. Thanks to
HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for People With AIDS), we were able to
help with her rent and utility bills. We also had someone donate a bed
and some kitchen items. With help from DEFA, we bought her a couch and
a chair. Thanks to DEFA and the donations received, my client had a
place to sit and hold her baby when he was finally big enough to come
home from the hospital. There are always a lot of extra things that
clients need that go beyond what most funding can pay for. That is what
makes DEFA so important. We are able to help exactly where we are
needed. --an HIV/AIDS Care-Staff Member
Several of my clients
have had a problem paying for their monthly spend-down with Medicaid.
Many times the amount is unrealistic and unaffordable. One particular
client of mine takes about 20 pills every day for various health
problems. Without assistance from DEFA, my client would have gone
without meds many times while trying to cancel his Medicaid and (while)
waiting to get onto another insurance program. His meds are important
and they greatly impact his daily life. DEFA is the only program that
allowed us to help this client. –an HIV/AIDS Care-Staff Member
The
presenting sponsor of the 2009 Indiana AIDS Walk & Ride is the
Marion County Health Department that continues to serve the community
by “Making A Difference”. Other key sponsors include Walgreens “The
Pharmacy America Trusts”, St. Vincent Hospitals, Eastern Star Church,
Circle City HIV/AIDS Coalition, Bio Scrip Pharmacy and Bloomington
Hospital Positive Link. Media sponsors include the Indianapolis
stations of Radio One (WTLC-AM, WTLC-FM, WHHH-FM, WNOU-FM, IMC-TV),
NUVO Newsweekly and The WORD.
The Indiana AIDS Fund is a
private, philanthropic fund-raising and grant-making organization
dedicated to supporting HIV/AIDS prevention and service programs in
Indiana. Since our inception in 1994, the Indiana AIDS Fund has become
the largest private funder of HIV/AIDS programs in Indiana as well as a
recognized authority on HIV/AIDS issues www...indianaaidsfund...org .
6:35 PM
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