North Carolina ADAP Watch

As of July 28, 2011 there are:

• 5,633 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)
  • 5,163 are enrolled in ADAP
  • 470 are enrolled in SPAP
• 313 individuals on the waiting list

As of July 21, 2011 there were:

• 5,594 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)
  • 5,125 are enrolled in ADAP
  • 469 are enrolled in SPAP
• 308 individuals on the waiting list

According to NASTAD’s most recent ADAP Watch, there are 13 states with waiting lists, totaling 8,871 people. That report shows NC as having 313 clients on the waiting list, which was our official count at COB on July 27, 2011. NASTAD’s most recent ADAP Watch can be found at this link.

We Love Your Letters!

Thanks to everyone who's been writing to Secretary Cansler's office to urge him to preserve state funding for HIV programs -- especially those of you who've copied us on your notes & passed along any feedback you've heard back.

Haven't written yet? Drop a note to Secretary Cansler right now at lanier.cansler@dhhs.nc.gov -- it can be just a quick line or two, or a longer note, like this great one that came in yesterday from Greensboro:

Dear Secretary Cansler,

I'm writing this email to urge you to PLEASE continue the much-needed HIV funding for the state of North Carolina. As a graduate student in the field of public health as well as an advocate of HIV/AIDS awareness for over 20 years, I understand the need for programs to help families affected by this pandemic. I'm also a regular volunteer and supporter of Triad Health Project.

According to the 2010 Guilford County Health Report, " The average rate of HIV disease in Guilford County over the three year period 2007-2009 was the seventh highest of the hundred counties in North Carolina, exceeding the state average rate." I'm a resident of Guilford County and this tells me that the need for HIV/AIDS prevention education and support is still crucial to the health of the population of this area. The HIV/AIDS pandemic is NOT over...many individuals and families continue to struggle for housing, employment and benefits those of us who are HIV negative have the privilege to enjoy every day. Let's not forget the AIDS discrimination and stigma that continues into 2011. Education, through state and federal funding, is the key to fighting this preventable disease.

I appreciate your time and look forward to the day when there is a cure. Until then, let's continue to do everything we can to provide the necessary support and services of agencies such as Triad Health Project.

Thank you,

Bridget S. Thomas

Greensboro, NC

Email Cansler to DOUBLE Your Impact!

This morning, NCAAN delivered 176 petition postcards to NC Health & Human Services Secretary Cansler's office urging him to preserve funding for HIV programs.

You can help us to DOUBLE THE IMPACT of these cards by sending a quick email message to Secretary Cansler right now. Here's all you need to do:

1) Address an email to Secretary Cansler at lanier.cansler@dhhs.nc.gov, and cc: your note to info@ncaan.org

2) Write a brief note like this:

Dear Secretary Cansler, I'm writing to urge you to keep all funding for HIV programs. These programs are a smart investment for the state because they save lives AND save money. Thank you.

3) Sign with your name and address

4) Send!

That's all there is to it -- and you'll be helping to prevent cuts to state grants to the non-profit organizations that provide critical prevention, testing, and care programs.

Your quick email can make a huge difference for the thousands of people who benefit from prevention education programs at their local AIDS service organization; for the thousands who get tested at college campuses, churches, and community events across the state; and for the thousands of people living with HIV/AIDS for whom early detection and access to care offers the best promise of a long, productive life.

Support AIDS United Call to Protect Programs

As the United States Congress continues to debate how to cut the federal deficit, AIDS United needs your help to prevent harmful cuts to federal HIV/AIDS programs. Please join the AIDS United campaign to protect critical services for millions of Americans, including persons living with HIV/AIDS.

Tell Congress that proposals gutting critical services provided through Medicaid, Medicare, food stamps, and other safety net programs are unacceptable. Call today with this message.

And pass the message on - tell everyone you know who cares about HIV/AIDS to make the call.

Tell Congress to support a fair and balanced approach that will prevent harmful cuts to federal programs and spending that could negatively impact health care and low-income programs, including those for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Stunning New Discovery in HIV Prevention Study

This week, researchers from UNC Chapel Hill are presenting an exciting new study that showed early treatment of HIV-infected people led to a 96 percent reduction in transmission of the the virus to their uninfected partners. This study is exciting news, and we're proud that this ground-breaking research came from right here in North Carolina.

These prevention benefits, however, rely on early detection and early treatment of HIV. It is therefore essential that North Carolina fully support HIV testing and treatment services.

North Carolina needs to ensure that HIV testing and treatment is made a top budget priority. Without a full funding commitment to early detection and early treatment, North Carolina may miss out a huge opportunity to fight the spread of HIV.

We Still Have a Chance

We still have a chance to save funding for HIV programs. Will you help?

Last week, we alerted you that the new state budget requires the NC Department of Health and Human Services to cut $5 million worth of grant funding for nonprofit organizations—and that this could mean disaster for AIDS service organizations, which rely upon state grants to run the critical prevention, testing, and care programs.

Thanks to the huge outpouring of calls last week from people like you, the North Carolina AIDS Action Network gained access to a high-level official in the Department.

Our conversation confirmed our belief that we’re going to have to compete to hold onto HIV funds.

That’s why we’re asking you again this week to leave a message for the NC Secretary of Health and Human Services, Lanier Cansler, letting him know how important it is to invest in HIV programs.

All you need is a phone and about 45 seconds to make a big difference this week. Simply call Secretary Cansler’s office at 919-855-4800 and leave a message like this one.

My name is _____, and I live in [town], North Carolina. I’m calling to urge Secretary Cansler to protect HIV funding. HIV programs are a smart investment for the state because they save lives AND save money. Thank you.

Less than one minute of your time can make a huge difference for the thousands of people who benefit from prevention education programs at their local AIDS service organization; for the thousands who get tested at college campuses, churches, and community events across the state; and for the thousands of people living with HIV/AIDS for whom early detection and access to care offers the best promise of a long, productive life.

For all of us – please make the call: 919-855-4800.

ADAP Watch

As of July 14, 2011 there are:

• 5,554 individuals enrolled in ADAP.
• 307 individuals on the waiting list.

As of July 7, 2011 there were:

• 5,514 individuals enrolled in ADAP.
• 297 individuals on the waiting list.

According to NASTAD’s most recent ADAP Watch, there are 13 states with waiting lists, totaling 8,689 people. That report shows NC as having 302 clients on the waiting list, which was our official count at COB on July 13, 2011. NASTAD’s most recent ADAP Watch can be found by following this link.

URGENT: Action Needed to Save HIV Funding

Vital funding for HIV programs is in danger. We need your help today to save it!

The new state budget requires the NC Department of Health and Human Services to cut $5 million worth of grant funding for nonprofit organizations. That could mean disaster for AIDS service organizations, which rely upon state grants to run the critical prevention, testing, and care programs that save lives and dollars over the long haul.

We know that thousands of North Carolinians like you care passionately about saving these programs—and right now, we need for the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Lanier Cansler, to hear from you.

So please, pick up your phone right now and leave a quick message for Secretary Cansler. You can reach his office at 919-855-4800. When you call, simply leave a message like this one:

My name is _____, and I live in [town], North Carolina. I’m calling to urge Secretary Cansler to protect HIV funding. HIV programs are a smart investment for the state because they save lives AND save money. Thank you.

Less than one minute of your time can make a huge difference for the thousands of people who benefit from prevention education programs at their local AIDS service organization; for the thousands who get tested at college campuses, churches, and community events across the state; and for the thousands of people living with HIV/AIDS for whom early detection and access to care offers the best promise of a long, productive life.

For all of us – please make the call: 919-855-4800.

Until There's a Cure

We’re excited that the National Institutes of Health have granted $32 million toward scientific research toward a cure for HIV. And, we’re proud of the leading role that University of North Carolina researchers will play in this study.

It’s exciting to think about a future when there’s a cure for HIV. Yet here in the present, the reality remains that 1 in 5 people living with HIV in North Carolina don’t even know they’re infected.

Until there’s a cure, we need HIV education and testing programs to empower people to take control of their health—and we need access to care, including anti-retroviral medication, for people living with HIV/AIDS.

HIV Prevention Requires Education

It’s hardly news that HIV prevention requires education.

But we’re glad to see USA Today spreading the news that, in the South, there’s a tremendous need for education that dispels myths about HIV and empowers people with accurate information about how to minimize their risk of infection.

If you have a story about the value of HIV prevention education, we’d love to hear it. Please share your comments below!

ADAP Watch

As of July 7, 2011 there are:

• 5,514 individuals enrolled in ADAP.
• 297 individuals on the waiting list.

As of June 30, 2011 there were:

• 5,463 individuals enrolled in ADAP.
• 292 individuals on the waiting list.

According to NASTAD’s most recent ADAP Watch, there are 13 states with waiting lists, totaling 8,655 people. That report shows NC as having 297 clients on the waiting list, which was our official count at COB on July 7, 2011. NASTAD’s most recent ADAP Watch can be found by following this link.

ADAP Watch

As of June 30, 2011 there are:

· 5,463 individuals enrolled in ADAP.

· 292 individuals on the waiting list.

As of June 16, 2011 there were:

· 5,426 individuals enrolled in ADAP.

· 288 individuals on the waiting list.

According to NASTAD’s most recent ADAP Watch, there are 13 states with waiting lists, totaling 8,615 people. That report shows NC as having 292 clients on the waiting list, which was our official count at COB on June 30, 2011. NASTAD’s most recent ADAP Watch can be found by following this link.