The newly formed Solano AIDS Coalition in Solano County, California, brought Easter meals to nearly 100 families affected by HIV/AIDS in the region, local newspaper Vallejo Times-Heraldreports (timesheraldonline.com, 3/23).
The AIDS service organization—which was established last year—united local businesses, residents and the Prince of Peace Baptist Church to collect donated food for 98 AIDS-afflicted families. The food was distributed on Saturday, March 22 at the church. Prince of Peace Pastor Aaron Anderson said he will support the Solano AIDS Coalition in any capacity necessary.
“HIV and AIDS seems to have been forgotten about, hidden in the closet and not discussed,” Anderson told the Times-Herald. “It should be brought out in the open and [be] talked about among children and parents, and the church should be a part of this.”
According to local health officials, two new HIV/AIDS cases are diagnosed in Vallejo each week.
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lucinda nolet, Topsfield, MA, 2008-03-25 12:59:19
This article and commentary by Rev. Anderson are very meaningful. Having worked with HIV/AIDS clients for over 14years as an HIV housing program director, I have experienced similar thoughts in regards to HIV/AIDS being forgotten. Prevention and education funds have been drastically cut causing the general public to think that HIV/AIDS is not a health issue any longer. These same people are shocked when I tell them of the continuing need for funding and services due to the rise in infections.SAD
Beth Benne, RN, is HIV negative, but
the virus has impacted her life. She currently supervises a biannual HIV/AIDS awareness week as
the director of the student health center at Pierce College, a
community commuter school in Woodland Hills, California.
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