World AIDS Day 2009 ~ Preparations Under Way

Vermont CARES is preparing for a busy World AIDS Day ~ December 1, 2009.  We hope you’ll join us in some portion of the day’s commemoration, outreach, and awareness-building.  Vermont CARES’ supporters, community, and clients are asked to pause in honor and memory on this auspicious day, while also encouraging increased HIV testing and awareness. 
 
During the day of December 1st, we will expand the walk-in hours of Burlington’s rapid HIV testing to be open from 9am to 7pm.  In honor of World AIDS Day, expanded hours will continue from 9am to 4pm daily through the week. 
 
Further, staff and volunteers will blanket venues throughout the county and state providing information tables and red ribbons for awareness, as well as education presentations in forums such as St. Johnsbury Academy. 
 
Evening activities will include a candle lighting ceremony at the Burlington Unitarian Universalist Church at 5:30pm to honor the lives and love of people with HIV/AIDS.

Please visit our website at www.vtcares.org for more details as other events develop around the state.  We certainly invite you to join us during the day or evening to focus on the local and global impact of HIV and AIDS.

Green Mountain Derby Dames Bout to benefit Vermont CARES!

CARES is grateful for a new ally in Vermont’s Roller Derby Team
 
On November 7th, with doors opening at 5pm, get ready to roll with the Green Mountain Derby Dames and Vermont CARES!  Our region’s premier flat track roller derby league is hosting Boston’s B-Party team for a bout not to be missed, and they’re donating a portion of the proceeds to our HIV/AIDS programs. 

This will be a fun, energetic, and action-packed evening.  The bout will be held at the Expo North Building at the Champlain Valley Expo, and tickets are on sale at the Flynn Box Office: $12 in advance and $15 at the door.  www.flynntix.org. 
 
More information about our fantastic allies ~ the Green Mountain Derby Dames ~ can be found at www.gmderbydames.com.

A successful week in HIV politics in the U.S.

Vermont CARES is grateful and proud to announce that recent legislative work in Washington, D.C. means that the critical care network for HIV/AIDS will continue for another four years.  Earlier today, President Obama signed into law an extension of the Ryan White CARE Act, meaning that medication, hospital care, and adherance services for hundreds of Vermonters will be strong for the foreseeable future. 
 
CARES would like to thank the offices of Representative Welch, Senator Sanders, and Senator Leahy for supporting this crucial legislation, and for being responsive allies in navigating how to lead Vermont’s perspective on this critical bill.  Our thanks and congratulations!

Also, in signing the Ryan White CARE Act, President Obama announced he would lift the HIV travel ban ~ much discussed on this blog over the summer of 2009 ~ as of early 2010.  This is outstanding news for all people with HIV, and in a border state like Vermont this change will have a strong positive impact.

We take these as examples of HIV advocacy creating real social change.  For all those in the CARES community who called, wrote, or otherwise expressed your opinion on the travel ban or Ryan White programs, we thank you for making a difference!