The cause of the day is the National AIDS Fund. They’ve been around since 1988, and their goal is to reduce the incidence and impact of HIV/AIDS by promoting leadership and generating resources for effective community responses to the epidemic. They also support over 400 grassroots organizations, which in turn provide HIV prevention, care, and support services to underserved populations most impacted by HIV/AIDS. With its partnerships, it invests more than $9 million annually in HIV/AIDS grant making to agencies nationwide. It’s really important work and they need your support! I had an IM chat Kandy Ferree, President & CEO of the National AIDS Fund and the transcript is posted right here. Take a look.
Parker
says (11:15 AM):
Thanks for joining me.
Kandy
says (11:15 AM):
Happy to.
Parker
says (11:15 AM):
O.K. What is NAF’s mission statement in a nutshell?
Kandy
says (11:16 AM):
Our mission is to stop HIV/AIDS in the United States.
Parker
says (11:16 AM):
Sounds monumental.
Kandy
says (11:17 AM):
It’s really not. HIV infection is preventable.
Parker
says (11:17 AM):
Where do you get started?
Kandy
says (11:17 AM):
Everyone can start with themselves. 1st—get the facts and share them with others. If you have sex, get some “lifesavers”—use condoms.
Parker
says (11:18 AM):
Check.
Kandy
says (11:18 AM):
2nd, get connected! Volunteer in your community with an AIDS organization.
Parker
says (11:18 AM):
Makes sense.
Kandy
says (11:19 AM):
3rd, raise funds for HIV prevention. These things will make a huge difference.
Parker
says (11:19 AM):
Pretty straightforward.
Parker
says (11:20 AM):
Who’s most at risk?
Kandy
says (11:20 AM):
Anyone who has sex or shares IV drug needles.
Parker
says (11:21 AM):
Do they know they’re at risk?
Kandy
says (11:21 AM):
25% of those with HIV in the US don’t know it because they haven’t been tested.
Parker
says (11:22 AM):
So testing is key.
Kandy
says (11:22 AM):
It’s critical—they unknowingly can put others at risk.
Kandy
says (11:23 AM):
And testing helps HIV+ people get into lifesaving treatments early.
Parker
says (11:23 AM):
Are you making any headway in the fight?
Kandy
says (11:24 AM):
In the 80’s the US had 160,000+ new HIV infections annually—today that number is down to about 40-60,000.
Parker
says (11:24 AM):
Amazing!
Kandy
says (11:25 AM):
But this is a marathon, not a sprint. And we need help to win this race!
Parker
says (11:25 AM):
Speaking of which—what has the i’m Initiative meant to NAF?
Kandy
says (11:25 AM):
It’s been a success—it’s a perfect example of how two organizations can come together for a good cause.
Kandy
says (11:26 AM):
Things like your i’m Talkathon boost traffic to our website, raise funds, and get new people charged up to stop HIV/AIDS.
Parker
says (11:26 AM):
That’s what this is all about.