Last year, AIDS Services of Austin (ASA) celebrated 25 years of helping Central Texans affected by HIV and AIDS. And one of our most empowering achievements was to move from reflecting on our journey to focusing on what the future will bring to people living with HIV and AIDS. Our vision for the future starts in Austin, but also integrates our work into the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS). This year President Obama described his dream for the United States: finally creating an AIDS-free generation. As outlined in NHAS, the goal of an AIDS-free generation depends on reducing new infections, increasing care, and reducing HIV-related illness. All of which ASA helps achieve in Central Texas. This year, we’ve developed more innovative programs, implemented newly expanded, comprehensive strategies, and explored new avenues with the support of the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and St. David’s Foundation. Our programs and services work to expand testing and education. By increasing the number of people who know their status and how to prevent the spread of HIV, we reduce the number of infections. Through our dedicated case managers, we help those living with HIV to get healthcare, maintain their wellbeing, and manage their medicines. And when people get the care they need, they reduce their viral loads, and can prevent HIV from becoming AIDS. ASA’s commitment to expanding testing and paving the way to resources such as medical case management has helped establish Austin as a national leader in the fight against HIV. Austin’s rates of retaining people in care and reducing viral loads far exceed the national and state averages. ASA is also making strides toward reducing stigma and indifference in the community by increasing outreach and making our annual events more prominent through different avenues. Our new website will be launching at the end of the month, and along with it, we have upped our social media presence to help make HIV and AIDS a relevant cause for this generation. With our community supporters, volunteers, donors, and staff leading the way into the future, ASA can ensure that anyone facing a positive HIV diagnosis can continue to lead a positive life. And by continuing to help our clients strive for a better future, we can also push the country forward with the hope of one day reaching the President’s goal of an AIDS-free generation. Respectfully Yours,
Paul E. Scott Executive Director
Fabi + Rosi – Sept 16 Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill – Oct 14 Winflo Osteria – Nov 18 asaustin.org/RRD katie.parker@asaustin.org
Buy your ticket today! Sell tickets to your friends! asaustin.org/PriusProject marianne.deleon@asaustin.org
Become a Walk Captain! Fight HIV and stigma! aidswalkaustin.org Scott.dinger@asaustin.org
Christine Ballard knows firsthand the devastating impact that HIV and AIDS can have on individuals and families: She's lost two brothers to AIDS. Her younger brother Chuck was the first, and the family watched as he suffered from seizures, fainting spells, and trips back and forth to the hospital. “He would come to visit, and he would say, ‘You know, I’m dying,’” Christine remembers. “I never took it seriously.”
Christine Ballard: Pictured far le!.
Back then, the societal stigma and nationwide fear surrounding the newly-discovered virus drove Chuck to keep his condition a secret until he could no longer hide the fact that he had AIDS. After he died, Chuck’s family found out he had been diagnosed as HIV-positive in the early ‘80s. The year that Chuck died, Christine learned her second-youngest brother, Jack, was also HIV-positive. “With Jack … we made sure he started seeing the doctor and everything,” Christine said, “and, of course, he managed to live years with it.” In 2009, Christine brought Jack to Austin out of concern for his deteriorating health. In October, weak from AIDS but still eager to show his support, Jack called her the night before AIDS Walk Austin. “I really want to be there for the Walk. Do you think you could push me a wheelchair?” he asked. Christine promised she would call him in the morning, but that next morning he passed away. Undaunted, Christine still came to the Walk that day to honor him, and she has been participating every year since under the team name Jack created: Prima Donna. “Everybody was surprised that we were there, you know, but the family said, ‘Well, that was the whole point, AIDS awareness and support, that’s the whole deal behind it,’” Christine explained. “‘He died this day, and he’s with us. Let’s do this Walk.’”
In our most recent letter, we introduced you to Paul O., an ASA client who used his positive diagnosis as a positive force to improve his health! As he puts it: “I faced death and won. I live today the healthiest I have ever been and it is with the HIV virus alive and undetectable inside of me.” Being HIV-positive has affected Paul’s life in many ways, but he has never let it slow him down; on the contrary, he’s used his status to motivate himself to do even better in life, even naming “constantly trying to improve myself” as one of his favorite hobbies. After putting his education on hold to improve his health, Paul returned to school and was the first in his family to graduate college, becoming valedictorian of his class with a BA in Information System Security. Paul also runs a marathon each year and has logged over 2,000 miles. His inspiring message to others facing an HIV-positive diagnosis: “It’s not what happens to you, but how you deal with it that matters. You are a beautiful person regardless of where you are at this moment. You are no different than someone diagnosed with type II diabetes, or lung cancer, or any amputee. The world may seem against you and make you feel [different]. For that I am sorry, but know that you are not alone!”
THE MISSION OF AIDS SERVICES OF AUSTIN IS TO ENHANCE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE AFFECTED BY HIV AND AIDS.
Viva Las Vegas
Viva Las Vegas Members of Freedom Baptist Church and the Q Austin at the Juneteenth Parade
Katryn Amundson, keynote speaker at Women’s Giving Circle Downton in Austin
ASA staff on National HIV Testing Day at Walgreens
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Models walk the runaway at Garrido’s Sexy Summer Fashion Event benefitting ASA
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