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Treating sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) while expanding access to HIV testing

PALM SPRINGS, CA, March 5, 2015 – A handicapped-access ramp on the south side of the Desert AIDS Project building at 1695 N. Sunrise Way at Vista Chino in Palm Springs will help ensure that everyone will have access to The DOCK, a new sexual health clinic opening Monday, March 16.

That ramp is within the loading dock area of the Lila & Morris Linsky Food Depot at D.A.P. – part of the reason for the new clinic’s name.  “We also thought it was a fun play on words for the “docs” – the doctors – that people are going to find at this new clinic,” said David Brinkman, CEO of Desert AIDS Project. “We felt driven to open the clinic for three important reasons. First, it’s central to D.A.P.’s mission of not only treating HIV but in preventing its spread. Second, many other sexually-transmitted diseases are affecting the Coachella Valley at epidemic rates. And third, we need to reach out to those who are sexually-active – and may be having unprotected sex – because they are at high risk for infection. A full-service sexual health clinic addresses all three reasons.”

Services of The DOCK will include free and confidential HIV rapid testing; testing and treatment for other sexually-transmitted infections, including syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, human papillomavirus (HPV,) and Hepatitis B and C; and well-woman exams, including breast and pelvic exams, and pap smears. The DOCK will accept all private insurance, as well as Medicare and Medi-Cal. Uninsured income-qualified patients can receive care at reduced costs and will not be turned away for inability to pay.

The new sexual health clinic will also serve as a comprehensive resource for those interested in learning more about PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) and PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis), two HIV prevention tools recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service for HIV-negative individuals who are at substantial risk for acquiring HIV.

• PrEP is a daily medication, endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as “a powerful HIV prevention tool and can be combined with condoms and other prevention methods to provide even greater protection than when used alone.”
• PEP is preventive medical treatment started immediately after exposure to HIV to help protect against infection and disease.

“People with STDs are medically at greater risk of acquiring HIV, so all of the services offered at The DOCK are inter-related and important to sexual health,” said Dr. Steven Scheibel, medical director of both Desert AIDS Project and The DOCK. “Regardless of the reason that anyone comes to The DOCK – whether for STD testing and treatment or because they’re considering PrEP – knowing their HIV status establishes a baseline for their standard of care.”

That standard of care is a basic tenet of Get Tested Coachella Valley, the coalition of 50+ community partners, seeking to get all adults and adolescents in the region tested initially – and regularly thereafter – for HIV. The campaign’s first year efforts have already begun to help turn the tide of dramatically reducing the spread of HIV, as recognized by the Clinton Health Matters Initiative, the CDC, and the California State Office of AIDS. “As a full-service sexual health clinic, The DOCK is one more welcome – and very important – addition to our region-wide effort to stop the spread of HIV,” said Susan Unger, project director for Get Tested Coachella Valley.

Free HIV testing and PrEP counseling will be available on a walk-in basis Monday through Friday, except holidays, from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM with no appointment necessary. For those who would prefer a scheduled time, appointments can be made – between 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM on Monday orThursday only – by calling 760-992-0492, beginning March 16. For more information about The DOCK, please visit www.thedockclinic.org.

Those interested in starting PrEP can visit The DOCK to confirm their HIV-negative status – a requirement for beginning PrEP – as well as to receive counseling and have their questions answered, all at no cost. Those interested in considering PrEP may then schedule a follow-up appointment with a medical provider at The DOCK, who will confirm whether PrEP is appropriate and prescribe medication accordingly.

Made possible by funding from Desert Healthcare District/Echo posible por media de fondos de Desert Healthcare District

ABOUT DESERT AIDS PROJECT
Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.) serves people living with HIV and AIDS by providing comprehensive support, including medical care, case management, and social services, like food, housing, and counseling. D.A.P. also offers free and confidential HIV testing at a number of locations throughout the communities it serves. To learn more about Desert AIDS Project, please call 760-323-2118, visit www.desertaidsproject.org or find them on Facebook, Twitter, and You Tube.

About Get Tested Coachella Valley
Get Tested Coachella Valley is a three-year, $5 million public health initiative dedicated to dramatically reducing HIV infections by making voluntary HIV testing a standard and routine medical practice and ensuring linkage to care. The campaign was launched in 2014 under the leadership of Desert AIDS Project and is driven by a coalition of more than 50 Community Partners including the Riverside County Department of Public Health; the region’s major hospitals; elected officials; and leaders of community- and faith-based organizations, educational institutions, businesses, and foundations. Additional information and resources are offered in both English and Spanish at www.gettestedcoachellavalley.org andwww.haztelapruebavalledecoachella.org.

PALM SPRINGS, CA, January 8, 2015 – Mandy Moore gave all the right moves to Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence in the Oscar-nominated film Silver Linings Playbook. Remember that dance that captured their tortured love story … the one that was equal parts clumsy, romantic, and touching? Mandy will give that same delicate touch to the featured dance sequences at the 21st Annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards held Saturday, February 7, at the Palm Springs Convention Center.

The gripping story of a couple living with HIV combines the talents of Scott Alan, whose songs have been sung by Broadway’s elite, with the creative direction of Live It Up! Productions president Trini Garza and his co-creative director Brandon Alameda. Trini and Brandon teamed up with Scott to write a very tender story that will be told throughout the evening of the gala.

The moves, though, come courtesy of Mandy Moore. She’s directed huge production numbers on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. She also created Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour. Mandy both directed and choreographed the movie-cum-Broadway musical, The Wedding Singer. At “The Steve Chase,” she will be directing the So You Think You Can Dance All-Stars.

All of the work that Mandy, her dancers, and the other entertainers – Shoshana Bean, Scott Alan, and our emcee, popular comic actor Mario Cantone – perform for the gala help celebrate giants in AIDS research, treatment, volunteering, and philanthropy. Moreover, it raises funds needed to provide the comprehensive and compassionate care that Desert AIDS Project offers our friends and neighbors in Riverside County living with HIV and AIDS.

Staging a glamorous evening that entertains and informs the Coachella Valley about HIV – so we can support those with this harsh and angry disease – is an important chapter in the D.A.P. silver linings playbook.

ABOUT THE STEVE CHASE GALA AND DESERT AIDS PROJECT
As the signature fundraiser for Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.), the Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards last year raised more than $1.4 million for client services. Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.) serves people living with HIV and AIDS by providing comprehensive support, including medical care, case management, and social services, like food, housing, and counseling. D.A.P. also offers free and confidential HIV testing at a number of locations throughout the communities it serves. To learn more about Desert AIDS Project, please call 760-323-2118, visit www.desertaidsproject.org or find them on Facebook, Twitter, and You Tube.

Get your tickets NOW for Friday, November 14 at the Palm Springs Convention Center

PALM SPRINGS, CA, October 22, 2014 – It’s time for a quick quiz. What’s an EGOT?

The fastest answer could be either “Rita Moreno” or a very short of other luminaries in the entertainment industry. The more complete answer is that EGOT stands for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards – and there are only 12 people who have the distinction of winning all four major annual American entertainment awards. But … ahem … Rita Moreno was the very first EGOT performer, according to IMDb.

But EGOT  or not … when it comes to “West Side Story,” one of movie history’s best-known dance films, George Chakiris can stand proudly next to Ms. Moreno because they both won Oscars and Golden Globes for their Best Supporting roles. All in all, the movie took 30 awards – including the Oscar for Best Picture and the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture-Musical — .as well as seven other award nominations. Now, THAT is some dancing!!

We’re guessing that means Nina Beck, Natalie Brunell, Nino Eilets, Albert Gonzalez, Tom Kirk, Joe Pradetto, Mindy Reed, and Mary Silverman had better demonstrate some GREAT dancing chops with Moreno and Chakiris on the judging panel. “With judges like these – and one more yet to come – we’re really happy that we chose a larger venue, with the Palm Springs Convention Center,” said Dave Morgan, president of Reaction Productions. “With each year, the event has become more popular – which is really gratifying because it benefits the 100 Women program at Desert AIDS Project, to help women with HIV and their kids.”

Call your friends and plan to make a party of Dancing with the Desert Stars on Friday, November 14. But first, you’ll need to get your tickets NOW … by visiting desertAIDSproject.org or calling 760-992-0440. And make sure to read the dancer bios, by clicking on any of their photos, while you’re there … because even though the judges get to decide who will be the 2014 Desert Dancing Star, it’s YOU and the rest of the audience who will decide Fan Favorite!

ABOUT 100 WOMEN AND DESERT AIDS PROJECT
100 Women meets the needs of women and children whose lives are affected by HIV or AIDS. They do this by funding gynecological services like pap smears, underwriting mammograms, helping ensure healthcare access, and so much more. Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.) serves people living with HIV and AIDS by providing comprehensive support, including medical care, case management, and social services, like food, housing, and counseling. D.A.P. also offers free and confidential HIV testing at a number of locations throughout the communities it serves. To learn more about Desert AIDS Project, please call 760-323-2118, visit www.desertaidsproject.org or find them on Facebook, Twitter, and You Tube.