This past Wednesday was World Aids Day. Its a day to bring awareness and understanding that could ignite a global resuce mission of hope and healing to those who have been diagnosed with this disease. A major effort is moving forward where some, granted few, are seeing that though the effort towards HIV/AIDS in Africa is vital, there is work that must occur here.
For the most part, locally, the Church in general has been silent for too long. An honest assessment shows that we have said to little, to late. Now an all out effort must be throttled to make up for lost time.
Rick Cole took a huge leap a couple years ago where he chose to make love, reach, rescue, serve, and to speak out for those who have been afflicted with HIV/AIDS. Many people are silent and refuse to speak about the disease because disinformation has been believed and a political posturing has prevented them from speaking out. Often I have heard people critical of those who advocate for the voiceless, especially in the work involving HIV/AIDS. Volunteers from the faith community far fall behind their secular counter parts in serving those with HIV. "But what if I get it...?" Again, disinformation.
Below is a compelling transcrip of Rick Cole's Keynote Address at the Sacramento CARES World AIDS Day Dinner. Read, reflect, repeat.
RICK COLE KEY NOTE AT CARES WORLD AIDS DAY DINNER
December 1, 2010"With the help of UC Davis Health Systems, Catholic Healthcare West Mercy, Sutter Health, and the county of Sacramento, CARES was formed to serve people with HIV/AIDS. A few years later, Kaiser Permanente joined the effort. This collaboration of effort continues to grow in our community and CARES is at the heart of that success. It is no accident that the acronym for the Center for Aids Research Education and Services spells CARES. When people care for one another, all barriers are removed. The only thing that will divide us as human beings is when we push people away, marginalize them, and cease to care for them.
Today, CARES is serving over 2,000 people each year with comprehensive services that care for the whole person, including a women’s clinic, dental services, on-site pharmacy, and behavioral health services such as counseling and nutrition education. Through the years CARES outreach and prevention efforts have also expanded to include: a free walk-in testing program, the formation of a diverse coalition of community leaders, organizations, and the public who fight against this growing epidemic; and a Positively Speaking program that provides education to area groups and schools.
Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the national Center for Disease Control and Prevention says, "HIV is costing lives, costing money, and is continuing to spread. There needs to be much more progress to increase the number of people who are offered to take HIV testing and are rapidly linked to care. Early treatment of HIV, before symptoms fully develop, can effectively prolong an individual's life an average of 39 years. "
Dr. Jonathan Mermin, director of the HIV/AIDS Prevention Program at the CDC tells us: "The lifetime medical costs for a person with an HIV infection is $357,000. But testing people earlier means it's more likely they are not going to transmit their infection to others and that prevents another $357,000 in costs, per infected person."
We have at least 5,000 people with HIV/AIDS in the greater Sacramento area. About 1000 of those people do not know they have HIV. They are unaware that they may be spreading HIV to others. Another 1500 of the 5000 know they have HIV but are not in medical care. So we have 2500 people who either don’t know they have HIV or know they have HIV and aren’t on medications- either way, they are spreading HIV to others. But we can do something about that. We can create a community that tackles the entire issue of HIV care and prevention.
The Vision of CARES states: We’re striving to end new infections of HIV in Sacramento by 2015. We’re going to do this by making sure…
■Every person knows their HIV status.
■Early HIV diagnosis is the norm.
■Behaviors that lead to HIV infection are understood by all.
■All communities are open and accepting of people with HIV/AIDS.
■The disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS among social and ethnic minorities, particularly gay men, African Americans, and Latinos is a priority.
■Funding is sufficient for services needed by those with HIV/AIDS.
We can’t end HIV without the support of volunteers, advocates and donors.
Here are the stories of three individuals who have received the benefit of the efforts of CARES:
“In August of 2000, I stepped foot in the CARES clinic and I was in crisis mode. I was treated expeditiously, with dignity and respect. What I did not know until I entered the building that first day was that CARES is not only state of-the-art in their method of treating AIDS, but they are in the business of providing hope, dignity and compassion.
I truly believe that I am still alive today because of CARES' multifaceted approach to treatment. CARES was very aggressive in the treatment of my difficult case. My doctor worked tirelessly looking for the most affective therapy possible, as it meant life or death for me. He never gave up and he continued to focus on improving my quality of life."Phillipe said, I have been using drugs most of my life and have spent more time in prison than I have out. Sometimes I give up hope that anything can change. I want to be healthy and I want to quit using but it is hard. They help me see that it is possible for things to be different. I think someday they will.
A.W. was living on the East Coast when he was diagnosed with HIV. His family urged him to come back to California to see if CARES could help him. Here’s what A.W. has to say about CARES:
“I feel so fortunate that I found CARES. I had been treated so poorly on the East Coast that I figured that is how it would be at CARES. But instead of being treated like a number and not being able to get a doctor’s appointment for six weeks, at CARES I was treated like a real person. Everyone I’ve met has listened to me, has been friendly, has been helpful and has given me hope. Everyone has been positive and has treated me with respect.
I was very depressed when I was diagnosed with HIV. I thought my life was over. But now I have a whole different way of seeing myself. I have people who support me in making the decisions that are the best for me. They don’t judge me, they let me express myself. Sometimes I’ll worry about problems but I come to CARES and find a way to solve them.
I’m no longer ashamed of myself. I get tools to stand up for myself and feel proud of who I am. I no longer think I’m going to die from this disease. I can live a good healthy life because I get good advice here on how to take care of myself. My outlook on having HIV is totally different than when I first came here.”
Together we can make a difference. Together we are making a difference. As one who has come late to this effort, I want to thank the compassionate care givers of our community who have tirelessly and sacrificially blazed the trail as difference makers for our brothers and sisters. I want to thank you for accepting me into your fraternity of compassion and care.
Solomon is thought by many to be the wisest person who ever lived. He said: "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." We really do need each other. When we stand together, we stand strong. No one should walk this road alone.
I want to leave you with words of affirmation and blessing today as we continue this valiant effort to bring life to our friends and neighbors:
Be blessed with supernatural wisdom and clear direction for life.
Be blessed with creativity, courage, ability and abundance.
Be blessed with a great family, good friends and good health.
Be blessed with faith, favor and fulfillment.
Be blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection.
Be blessed with a positive outlook on life.
Be blessed in the city and in the country, when you go in and when you come out.
Words are very powerful. They have the power to harm and the power to heal.
Any negative word that has ever been spoken over you is a lie. It is not true of you and it is broken right now.
Everything you put your hand to will prosper and succeed.
Be blessed at this Christmas season and in the year to come."
The Latest Video From CARES featuring Rick Cole and many other Sacramento Leaders:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXASUxphqJg
For More Videos
http://areyouthedifference.org/images/flash/mediaroom.htm
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Stunning.
Sincere.
Significant.
What would our world look like if today...you and I decided to speak on behalf of the voiceless?
What would happen if today...we practiced unconditional love, acceptance, and kindness?
What would happen if the hope rang loud enough to unify and dissention from dogma grew hoarse?
Yea, what would....
Peace,
JAS
