The annual event organized by AHF strives to promote condom use as a way to prevent new HIV infections and help partners protect themselves and their loved ones from sexually transmitted diseases. In many locations, condom distribution was accompanied by free, rapid HIV testing and AIDS awareness-raising activities.

THE AMERICAS

In the UNITED STATES during the condom celebration in Venice Beach, California, AHF kicked off an ambitious cross-country “Condom Nation” tour. From the famed Venice Beach Boardwalk, AHF advocates handed out condoms and then dispatched a specially outfitted 18-wheel truck on a six month, 20-state cross country tour to promote safer sex  and hand out millions of free condoms and safer sex educational materials. In many cities along the route, local community partners and the accompanying Condom Nation van will also offer free, rapid HIV testing to the public. Condom Day events were also held in Washington, DC, Oakland, CA and South Florida.

In MEXICO, AHF and partners distributed 180,000 condoms in 12 states. Numerous events organized in the country to commemorate the International Condom Day enjoyed wide media attention and were well attended by the public. The team performed 2,130 HIV tests and identified 38 HIV positive people, who were then referred to care. As part of the celebration the Government of Mexico indicated that it will donate 250,000 condoms to help support AHF’s condom promotion efforts.

AFRICA

At the commemoration of condom festivities in Lukaya and Kalunga districts of UGANDA,, in one day AHF tested 1,114 people and identified 136 HIV positive individuals, all of whom were subsequently referred to care.  The staff also distributed 14,440 free condoms. Numerous dignitaries from the Ministry of Health, Uganda AIDS Commission, the Parliament and the local leadership of Kalungu district attended the events. Dr. Akol, the Manager of the AIDS Control Program from the Ministry of Health, praised AHF -Uganda Cares in a speech, thanking the staff for their tireless work. AHF President, Michael Weinstein was also in Uganda and attended the celebration and the groundbreaking for a new AHF Uganda Cares treatment clinic in Lukaya.

AHF and its partners achieved equally impressive results across other countries in the Africa Bureau. In SOUTH AFRICA, staff organized road shows to mobilize the community in the township of Umlazi. At the conclusion of the weeklong celebration, the team had distributed nearly 29,000 condoms and tested 1,355 people, identifying 187 HIV positive people and linking them to care.

In Manzini, SWAZILAND AHF staff organized a media campaign and a dance competition to entice people to attend the condom distribution and testing event. The team distributed 36,000 free condoms and performed 417 rapid HIV tests. One hundred eight people tested positive at this event.

AHF ZAMBIA distributed 43,200 condoms and provided 1,120 free HIV tests to the public. During the commemoration 88 people tested HIV positive and were linked to care.

Hundreds showed up to mark the International Condom Day events around Kigali, RWANDA, where activities extended well into the night. The team distributed 25,000 condoms and tested 150 people. Two positive results were identified.

In KENYA,  AHF and partners from the Ministry of Health, the Municipal Council of Mombasa and the Salvation Army focused condom distribution and HIV testing activities on high-traffic areas of Kongowea and Emali markets in Kithituni and Mombasa. Nearly 90,000 condoms were distributed. Of 510 people who were tested at the events, three had an HIV positive result.

NIGERIA, a recent addition to AHF’s countries of operation in Africa, commemorated International Condom Day by distributing 12,720 condoms and testing 3,745 people over four days. Among those tested, 178 had an HIV positive result.

ASIA

In INDIA, AHF and partners organized a march and rally in the heart of a high risk brothel district in Delhi, India to commemorate International Condom Day. G.B. Road was specifically chosen as the location for the condom awareness march and testing event because it is the area of “legal” brothels, where rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases are high. The team distributed 2,500 condoms and performed 82 HIV tests, mostly among men.

AHF and its partners also put on an educational risk reduction magic show, which attracted hundreds of men in the area. AHF’s Senior Director of Global Policy and Advocacy, Terri Ford was in India and participated in the activities.

EASTERN EUROPE

In UKRAINE, AHF’s Eastern Europe team and volunteers conducted outreach to universities and other public spaces in Kyiv and Odessa. In all 9,788 condoms were distributed and 210 tests were performed. The organization also distributed 4,000 information leaflets and flyers about safer sex practices and HIV prevention.

The Estonian Network of People Living with HIV, a partner organization that closely collaborates with AHF in ESTONIA, distributed 10,000 condoms and 1,000 informational leaflets across five cities. The Network used this event as an opportunity to advocate for better access to condoms. The organization sent a letter to all members of the Estonian Parliament and the Ministry of Social Affairs asking the government to exempt condoms from a 20% sales tax in order to make them more affordable.

In RUSSIA, AHF partners in Moscow conducted awareness-raising activities promoting safer sex practices via social media. In Yekaterinburg, a mobile testing unit conducted testing outreach throughout the city. A total of 199 tests were performed and 7 HIV positive people were identified.

In LITHUANIA, AHF partner Demetra sent a manifesto inviting 172 members of Parliament, Vilnius municipality and government representatives responsible for public health to start a dialogue and take action to make condoms more accessible and affordable. Between Feb. 10-14 volunteers distributed 5,000 condoms in movie theatres across seven cities. On International Condom Day prior to each film screening, a video clip was shown promoting condom use. In Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital city partners conducted 210 HIV tests. A total of 6,088 condoms were distributed during the events.

Over the years, AHF’s observation of International Condom Day has grown into a worldwide event that is part condom use promotion and part advocacy for access to affordable condoms. Condoms remain the most cost-effective way to prevent new HIV infections and save lives; unfortunately, in many places around the world they are still inaccessible for political, ideological and economic reasons. For more information about International Condom Day and AHF’s condom advocacy please visit www.lovecondoms.org.

When: February 21st through 25th various times, locations in Las Vegas

Where & When:
Feb. 21 – (Tuesday) Mardi Gras
Condom distribution/gay bar hopping in Las Vegas with the group, The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
The Garage—1487 East Flamingo Road Suite.B – 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Fun Hog Ranch—495 East Twain – 10:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Charlie’s—5012 South Arville Street, south of West Tropicana Ave -11:00 pm – Midnight
The Fruit Loop Area of Las Vegas—several bars with a few blocks – Midnight onward
Feb. 23 – (Thursday) Las Vegas – Condom giveaway & HIV testing event
Gay and Lesbian Community Center, 953 E. Sahara Ave. Ste. B31, Las Vegas
Testing to be done by Southern Nevada Health Dept.
Feb. 24 – (Friday) Las Vegas – Condom event w/Sisters – “bar hopping” (sites TBD)
Feb. 25 – (Saturday) Las Vegas – Condom & HIV testing event at ‘Red Dress’ fundraiser for the Sisters
World Market Center, 495 S. Grand Central Parkway (downtown)
HIV Testing to be done by Southern Nevada Health Dept.
Local Partners:
• Sin City Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
• the Southern Nevada Health District
• the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada

Who: James Vellequette, Associate Director, AHF’s ‘Condom Nation Tour’
Joey Terrill, Domestic Advocacy Manager, AHF

B-Roll 53-foot, 18-wheel ‘Condom Nation’ big-rig with condoms and safer sex education
materials; advocates with ‘cigarette girl’ style trays giving out ‘LOVE’ condoms

Contacts: 
ON THE ROAD— James Vellequette, Associate Director, ‘Condom Nation’ Tour, +1.323.573.3005 cell
LOS ANGELES—Ged Kenslea, AHF Communications, +1.323.791.5526 cell

AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s (AHF) ‘Condom-Nation’ tour—AHF’s specially-designed 53-foot long, 18 wheel ‘Condom Nation’ big rig truck and a companion ‘Condom Nation’ Sprinter van roll into Las Vegas, Nevada—the second stop on ‘Condom Nation’–a groundbreaking 20-state, six-month nationwide tour to select cities, towns and states to hand out millions of free condoms and safer sex information in conjunction with local partners who are offering free HIV testing at many of the stops along the tour. ‘Condom Nation’ was launched last week from the famed Boardwalk in Venice Beach, California as part of AHF’s worldwide observation of International Condom Day—an informal holiday observed on February 13th in conjunction with Valentine’s Day.

This week’s stop for AHF’s ‘Condom Nation’ tour is Las Vegas, where AHF is partnering with the local organizations ‘The ‘Sin City’ Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’ and Southern Nevada Health District and the Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center of Southern Nevada for lively condom distribution events as well as two HIV testing events the week of February 21st through 25th.

The ‘Condom Nation’ big rig (and the similarly-wrapped, smaller ‘Condom Nation’ sprinter van) will conclude the U.S. tour in late July in Washington, DC, arriving just before the opening of the XIX International AIDS Conference in that city.

“Condom Nation is a serious, yet somewhat whimsical and creative effort by AIDS Healthcare Foundation to help promote increased condom use and to help make condoms more accessible and affordable,” said Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation. “Condoms are an essential part of preventing HIV and STDs. Not only are they extremely effective at preventing transmission, they are cheaper and easier to use than many other prevention tools. Our hope is that Condom Nation raises awareness and sparks conversations along the way—both on the coasts and in the heartland—about the importance condoms and the crucial role they play in disease prevention and safer sex.”

Currently, there are approximately 48,000 new HIV infections and 19 million new STD infections every year in the United States.

Unfortunately, few people have reliable and affordable access to condoms. Recent studies show that when condoms are available and reasonably priced or at no cost, more people use them as a protective measure against STDs and unwanted pregnancies. In addition, the average wholesale price to make one condom is approximately $.04 leaving $.96 for profit. This is still too expensive for many people.

“In order to better protect the public health, we need universal access to condoms and they need to be available at an extremely low cost,” said James Vellequette, Associate Director for AHF’s ‘Condom Nation.’ “This tour is a national call to action to achieve these goals and we are delighted to be working with our Las Vegas partners at condom and HIV testing events over the next week.”

‘Condom Nation’ will:
• Partner with 25+ local advocates in about 20 states to distribute free over one million condoms
• Educate and raise awareness about safe sex practices
• Promote the use of condoms through education and advertising
• Spearhead a national advocacy campaign to lower the price of condoms

Condom Nation Cities
Some of the cities the Condom Nation Tour will visit include Venice, CA (2/13/12 tour launch); Oakland, CA (Feb 17); Las Vegas, NV (Feb 21-25, condom & testing events various nights with local partners: South Nevada Health District Office of AIDS, The Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada and The Sin City Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence); Phoenix, AZ (Feb 28-Mar 2); Albuquerque, NM (Mar 5-8); Ft. Worth, TX (Mar 13-14, condoms and testing) Dallas, TX (Mar 15-16, condom + testing); San Antonio, TX (Mar 17-22) New Orleans (Mar 24-27); Baton Rouge, LA (Mar 28-31); Jackson, MS (April 2-16, other cities TBD); Atlanta, GA (April 18-22, condom and testing with groups Citywide and ACT NOW!) St. Petersburg, FL; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Jacksonville, FL; Fayetteville, NC and other locations still to be worked out with the Condom Nation Tour culminating in Washington, DC on July 22, 2012—where AHF is also spearheading the ‘Keep the Promise’ on HIV/AIDS Treatment March on Washington on July 22nd.

According to a December 2011 HIV/AIDS Policy Fact Sheet produced by the Kaiser Family Foundation, the CDC reports that there are approximately 1.1 million people currently living with HIV/AIDS in the United States; an estimated 20% of these individuals do not even know they are infected. In addition, a new news posting published this week on the website www.aidsmap.com reports that as many of half of all, “…new HIV transmissions in the US originate in individuals who are unaware that they are HIV-positive, a modelling study published in the online edition of AIDS estimates. Only 20% of HIV infections in the US are undiagnosed, but the investigators calculated that they were the source of 49% of all new onward transmissions.”

To learn more about Condom Nation and find resources to help your community, please visit www.condom-nation.org

“The more we learn about Truvada as an idea for preventing HIV, the worse the idea is,” said Tom Myers, AHF’s General Counsel.  “That the FDA would expedite this process, and thereby limit additional review and a better understanding of this drug is simply beyond belief.  The FDA should not be trafficking in willful ignorance.”

Gilead is seeking FDA approval to market the drug as a means of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, or PrEP.  The idea behind PrEP is that people who do not have HIV may protect themselves against HIV infection by taking Truvada, which is already approved as a daily treatment for people infected with HIV or living with AIDS.  While early studies saw some initial potential, more recent studies have been halted because the drug has shown little or no preventative effect.  And last week, additional news stories surfaced reporting that researchers have found a significant risk of kidney disease and damage from taking Truvada. None of this has deterred Gilead, which stands to gain a new market of millions of customers, from pushing this as quickly as possible.

AHF has long been critical that PrEP will not work on a large-scale basis because, consistent with poor medication adherence rates for most diseases, people will not be able to take Truvada as directed.  Because of this, there will be little or no preventative effect, and drug resistance and drug resistant strains of HIV will develop.  In addition, people who falsely believe they are fully protected against HIV very likely may engage in riskier behavior, thereby increasing their risk of HIV infection.

“The idea of giving healthy people a toxic drug that will damage their kidneys in order to possibly prevent HIV – when simple condom use is 95% effective – is the height of irresponsibility and corporate greed,” said Michael Weinstein, AHF’s President.  “Widespread use of PrEP has all the makings of a public health disaster – increased HIV infections, drug resistant strains of HIV, and tens of thousands of damaged kidneys.  And the FDA, in expediting its review and limiting further research, appears hell-bent on bringing this about as quickly as possible.”

Despite repeated requests, FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg has refused to meet with AHF to discuss this matter.  “The FDA is not interested in seeing or hearing anything that may contradict its own settled course,” commented Weinstein.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) announced today that it is spearheading a nationwide boycott of the Hershey Company with over the Milton Hershey School’s AIDS discrimination. The Milton Hershey School—a boarding school for low-income scholarship students funded by the Hershey Company—recently rejected a 13-year-old boy for admission citing his HIV-positive status as the reason, misguidedly calling him a “direct threat to the health and safety of others.” The group formally launched its action via Facebook, Twitter and other online media today as part of its ongoing ‘No Kisses for Hershey’ campaign. AHF and AIDS advocates are now call in on the public to forgo buying all Hershey candy and chocolates this Valentine’s Day

WHAT:
PRESS CONFERENCE—HERSHEY COMPANY BOYCOTT targeting AIDS discrimination at Milton Hershey School,

WHEN:
Tuesday, February 14^th 10:00 AM (Pacific)

WHERE:
AIDS Healthcare Foundation Headquarters
6255 Sunset Blvd., Suite 2100 (cross street: Argyle) Hollywood, CA 90028

WHO:
Ged Kenslea, AHF Communications Director
Hydeia Broadbent, 20-something HIV/AIDS advocate who has been HIV-positive since birth
Haseeb Omar, Staff Attorney, AHF

B-ROLL: Oversize 5lb Hershey bar with wrapper printed with boycott URL www.EndHIVStigma.org

NOTE: TELECON to follow 10:30am—Dial in +1.877.411.9748 participant code #7931503

CONTACTS: Ged Kenslea, AHF Communications Work (323) 308-1833 Cell: (323) 791-5526
Lori Yeghiayan, AHF Communications, Work: (323) 308-1834 Cell: (323) 377-4317

On Tuesday, February 14th–Valentine’s Day—AHF and AIDS advocates in Los Angeles will host a press conference and teleconference about its call on the public to forgo buying Hershey candy and chocolates. The group formally launched its action via Facebook, Twitter and other online media Friday as part of its ongoing ‘No Kisses for Hershey’ campaign.
The group previously launched the website www.EndHIVStigma.org where the public can learn more about the case, learn the facts about HIV/AIDS and send e-letters to three Hershey Company board members who also sit on the board of the Milton Hershey School Trust, urging them to denounce the discrimination and facilitate the boy’s admission into the school.

Shortly after news broke just before World AIDS Day, December 1, 2011, about the school’s rejection of the HIV-positive boy, AIDS Healthcare Foundation hosted a press conference in Washington D.C. to announce the launch of a campaign against HIV/AIDS discrimination at Hershey School in Pennsylvania and in support of the federal discrimination lawsuit filed on behalf of a 13-year-old boy who was rejected for admission at Hershey explicitly due to his HIV-positive status. At the event, AHF announced its willingness to contribute up to $50,000 to support a lawsuit filed by AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania on behalf of the boy and expressed its moral outrage at the case.

According to the Associated Press (Claim: Hershey School Rejects HIV-Positive Pa. Boy, By Peter Jackson, 12/1/11): “A private boarding school connected with the Hershey chocolate company says it was trying to protect other students when it denied admission to a Philadelphia-area teenager because he is HIV-positive. The AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania filed a lawsuit on behalf of the unidentified boy in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia on Wednesday, claiming the Milton Hershey School for disadvantaged students violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. School officials acknowledged that the 13-year-old boy was denied admission because of his medical condition. They said they believed it was necessary to protect the health and safety of the 1,850 others enrolled in the residential institution, which serves children in pre-kindergarten to 12th grade and where students live in homes with 10 to 12 others.

Ryan White was an American teenager from Kokomo, Indiana who, in the mid-1980s, was expelled from middle school because he was HIV-positive. A lengthy legal battle with the school ensued and White became a galvanizing force in educating the country about HIV & AIDS at a time when misinformation about the disease was widespread. After his death in 1990, the U.S. Congress passed a major piece of legislation named in his honor, the Ryan White CARE Act, which provides funding for HIV/AIDS programs for low-income American.

“It is unfortunate that Hershey has shown such a shocking lack of knowledge of basic facts about HIV and how it is spread, and are instead reacting with ignorance and prejudice,” said Tom Myers, General Counsel and Chief of Public Affairs for AIDS Healthcare Foundation. “This is an excellent opportunity to educate the public about HIV, including the fact that people who are living with HIV/AIDS do not pose a significant risk to others and generally do not require any special medical attention that cannot be obtained through normal medical visits.”

He added: “In addition, people should know that recent studies have shown that people with HIV on treatment are up to 96% non-infectious. Because of this, those on treatment are not a threat to health and safety of others. The young man in question does not pose a ‘direct threat’ to anyone and Hershey should admit him into the school to begin the education that he desires—and deserves.”

# # #
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to more than 125,000 individuals in 26 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Eastern Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter: @aidshealthcare.

Venice Beach, CA

What:
PRESS CONFERENCE & MEDIA AVAILABILITY—AHF’s ‘Condom Nation’ 18-wheel semi truck begins six-month, 20 state free condom distribution tour; advocates with ‘cigarette girl’ style trays to hand out 2,000 condoms on famed Venice Beach Boardwalk

When:
MONDAY, February 13^th 12:00 noon to 2:00pm
Remarks:  1:30pm
‘Condom Nation’ big rig departs: 2:00pm

Where:
Venice Beach Boardwalk
Oceanfront Walk and Windward Ave (Windward Plaza)
Venice Beach CA 90291

Who:
Whitney Engeran-Cordova, Senior Director, AHF Public Health Division
James Vellequette, Associate Director, ‘Condom Nation Tour’
Jessica Reinhart, AHF Grassroots Community Manager
Jessie Gruttadauria, Director, AHF Public Health Division

Safer sex and condom advocates handing out free condoms

 B-Roll  53-foot, 18-wheel ‘Condom Nation’ big-rig with condoms and safer sex education materials; people with ‘cigarette girl’ style trays giving out 2,000 ‘LOVE’ condoms along the Boardwalk

Contacts:
LOS ANGELES—
Ged Kenslea, AHF Communications, +1.323.791.5526 cell
Lori Yeghiayan, AHF Communications, +1.323.377.4312 cell
ON THE ROAD—James Vellequette, Associate Director, ‘Condom Nation’ Tour, +1.323.573.3005 cell

From the famed Boardwalk in Venice Beach, California and as part of its worldwide observation of International Condom Day—an informal holiday observed on February 13^th in conjunction with Valentine’s Day—AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) will launch its ‘Condom-Nation’ tour—a groundbreaking 20-state, six-month nationwide tour of AHF’s specially-designed 53-foot long, 18 wheel ‘Condom Nation’ big rig truck which will stop in select cities, towns and states along the way to hand out millions of free condoms and safer sex information in conjunction with local partners offering free HIV testing at many of the tour stops. The first stop for AHF’s ‘Condom Nation’ tour will be Oakland, CA for a condom distribution and HIV testing event on February 17^th; the big rig and a similarly wrapped smaller ‘Condom Nation’ sprinter van expect to conclude the U.S. tour in late July in Washington, DC, just before the opening of the XIX International AIDS Conference in that city.

“Condom Nation is a serious, yet somewhat whimsical and creative effort by AIDS Healthcare Foundation to help promote increased condom use and to help make condoms more accessible and affordable,” said Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation. “Condoms are an essential part of preventing HIV and STDs. Not only are they extremely effective at preventing transmission, they are cheaper and easier to use than many other prevention tools. Our hope is that Condom Nation raises awareness and spark conversations along the way—both on the coasts and in the heartland—about the importance condoms and the crucial role they play in disease prevention and safer sex.”

Currently, there are approximately 48,000 new HIV infections and 19 million new STD infections every year in the United States.

“If more Americans had access to condoms, these rates would plummet.” said Whitney Engeran-Cordova, Senior Director of AHF’s Public Health Division. “Moreover, increased access to condoms will save the U.S. roughly $17 billion in annual HIV and STD related health care costs.”

Unfortunately, few people have reliable and affordable access to condoms. Recent studies show that when condoms are available and reasonably priced or at no cost, more people use them as a protective measure against STDs and unwanted pregnancies.  In addition, the average wholesale price to make one condom is approximately $.04 leaving $.96 for profit.  This is still too expensive for many people.

“In order to better protect the public health, we need universal access to condoms and they need to be available at an extremely low cost,” said James Vellequette, Associate Director for AHF’s ‘Condom Nation.’  “This tour is national call to action to achieve these goals.”

‘Condom Nation’ will:

• Partner with 25+ local advocates in about 18 states to distribute free over one million condoms
• Educate and raise awareness about safe sex practices
• Promote the use of condoms through education and advertising
• Spearhead a national advocacy campaign to lower the price of condoms

Condom Nation Cities

Some of the cities the Condom Nation Tour will visit include Venice, CA (2/13/12 tour launch); Oakland, CA (2/17/12); Las Vegas, NV (2/21/12 – 2/25/12 condom distribution and testing events on 2/23 and 2/25 with local partners: South Nevada Health District Office of AIDS and The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence)
Phoenix, AZ; Albuquerque, NM; Ft. Worth, TX (3/13-3/14, condoms and testing) Dallas, TX (3/15 – 3/16 condom + testing); San Antonio, TX (probably 3/18-3/20) Baton Rouge, LA;  Jackson, MS; Atlanta, GA (4/18-4/20 condom and testing with groups Citywide and ACT NOW!) St. Petersburg, FL; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Jacksonville, FL; Fayetteville, NC and other locations still to be worked out with the Condom Nation Tour culminating in Washington, DC on July 22, 2012— where AHF is also spearheading the ‘Keep the Promise’ on HIV/AIDS Treatment March on Washington on July 22^nd.

According to a December 2011 HIV/AIDS Policy Fact Sheet produced by the Kaiser Family Foundation, the CDC reports that there are approximately 1.1 million people currently living with HIV/AIDS in the United States; an estimated 20% of these individuals do not even know they are infected.

To learn more about Condom Nation and find resources to help your community, please visit www.condom-nation.org

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and services to more than 125,000 individuals in 26 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean the Asia/Pacific region and Eastern Europe. www.aidshealth.org

Events in over 30 cities in 15 countries around the world set stage for free condom distribution, HIV testing and safer sex awareness events by AIDS Healthcare Foundation and global partners; groups to distribute over one million of AHF’s ‘LOVE Condoms’ as well as locally-sourced condoms during events starting February 13^th—International Condom Day

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization which currently provides medical care and services to more than 125,000 individuals in 26 countries worldwide, will mark International Condom Day (ICD)—an informal holiday observed on February 13^th in conjunction with Valentine’s Day—with free condom distribution events and innovative safer sex awareness events set for over 30 cities in 15 countries around the world as well as HIV prevention media campaigns and free HIV testing events in some locations that will be taking place over the days, nights—and week—surrounding the holiday. Together, AHF and its global partners plan to distribute over one million free condoms and conduct as many as 10,000 free HIV tests in conjunction with worldwide events planned for the 2012 International Condom Day effort.

AHF’s International Condom Day events include the launch of AHF’s ‘Condom Nation’ tour from the famed Venice Beach Boardwalk in California in the United States—a 20-state, six-month nationwide tour of AHF’s specially-outfitted 53-foot long, 18 wheel big rig truck which will stop in select cities, towns and states to hand out free condoms and safer sex information in conjunction with local partners along the way. Some of the other International Condom Day events include:

• MEXICO—Puerto de Veracruz and Mérida, Yucatan: Across the country, AHF Mexico celebrates the ‘Condom Carnaval,’ which includes large scale events in Veracruz and Mérida in conjunction with those cities’ pre-Lenten Carnavals. AHF’s ‘Condom Carnaval’ will offer free HIV testing events with as many as 70,000 free condoms expected to be given out in the two cities (as the date is so close to Carnaval, a popular annual event throughout Mexico, the testing and condom distributions events will draw the public and media). In addition, ten other Mexican cities and locations will distribute as many as 75,000 additional free condoms and provide over 2,000 free HIV tests via mass testing events at many of the 12 AHF Mexico ‘Condom Carnaval’ locations.
• INDIA—New Delhi: AHF and partners in India will target sex workers at brothels in New Delhi with condom distribution and free HIV testing with goals of handing out 3,000 condoms and providing 100 free HIV tests.
• KENYA—Mombasa and Kithituni: In Kithituni, ICD will be marked on Feb.10^th at Emali, during it’s a market day. Major activities for the day are: 1) A short public procession to capture audience attention on the events of the day, and at the same time, educate the general population. A motorbike, van and acrobats will lead the Kithituni procession.  The Mombasa procession will be lead by Simba Ropa (local dancers), puppeteers and skaters. 2) Education on condom use and clarification of misconceptions or myths on condom use—the target is to have an education session with the peer educators for groups of 5-10.  This will be a mobile activity targeting youth at pool sites and bars, as well as market vendors. 3) 80,000 condoms will be distributed, with a concentration on education for using condoms and their role in prevention.
• NIGERIA—Abuja; and Benue and Kogi states: AHF partners coordinating International Condom Day events in Abuja, the capital city, and in the states of Kogi and Benue, plan to target 3,000 people for free HIV testing and distribute over 23,000 condoms.

• SOUTH AFRICA—Umlazi: The ICD plan for South Africa this year is to have road shows in different venues around Umlazi from the 13th-17th of February. Road shows are mini events that take place within communities to raise awareness on different issues. The road shows in this particular week will reinforce the importance of using condoms as HIV and STD prevention measures and also encourage communities to get tested early and be linked to treatment and care, if necessary. There will be educational talks during the road shows, HIV testing as well as free condom distribution. In addition, the top 5 groups that took part in the AHF-sponsored ‘Superstar Hip Hop Competition’ last year will help attract attention and retain the crowds. Organizers of the South Africa ICD events aim to distribute 72 000 condoms during those events.
• SWAZILAND—Manzini: At the Manzini Bus Rank (main terminal), AHF will partner with PSI-Swaziland to promote the use of condoms.  PSI has identified bus drivers and conductors under its most-at-risk-population (MARPS) program, and the group will be targeting them to teach them about condom use on the day. AHF will also target commuters and vendors in the market area surrounding the bus rank. This will be ideal, as it happens to be the busiest commercial area in the country. A dance competition will also be part of the entertainment as eight groups compete for cash prizes. Other local drama and singing groups will join in to capture the crowd’s attention on the day. HIV testing will also be part of the day, with a goal of 400 free tests undertaken, with necessary referrals for ART or support groups for those who are eligible. Over 36,000 LOVE condoms are expected be distributed to people who participate in the promotion including transport operators. A further 100,000 condoms will be distributed in the local newspaper.
• ZAMBIA—Lusaka: A formal ceremony with local partners including the Ministry of Health will take place in Lusaka, including a mobile HIV testing set up. The plan is to target 1,000 individuals for free HIV testing; the partners also intend to distribute 100,000 free condoms.
• ESTONIA: International Condom Day partners in Estonia plan to distribute over 10,000 free condoms.
• LITHUANIA—Vilnius: A manifest calling for lower prices and increased access to condoms, with information on the use of condoms in sexual educational programs will be sent to members of Parliament, NGOs, and journalists. AHF’s local partners intend to conduct 500 free HIV tests and distribute 6,000 free condoms. In addition, the company FORUMCINEMA will show a specially-produced HIV prevention message video clip—and distribute free condoms and flyers—at the beginning of each film screening in seven movie theatres from February 14^th—17^th.
• UKRAINE—Kiev and Odessa: Over 7,000 free condoms will be distributed in Ukraine. Billboards promoting condom use will be posted in Kiev, and several Fashion AID Condom Promotion events will take place at colleges and universities in conjunction with Fashion AID and the Olena Pinchuk Foundation. In Odessa, a person dressed up as the ‘Love Condom Man’ mascot will attract attention as he and others distribute free ‘Love Condoms’ and leaflets in the downtown area. Posters will also be distributed at health institutions, universities, several bars, shops, and over 3,000 condoms will be distributed at hospitals, institutions, on the streets and in shops.

“We know that condoms are a simple, low-cost prevention method that works,” said Terri Ford, AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s Senior Director of Global Policy and Advocacy. “With a new focus on treatment as prevention and other recently embraced prevention strategies, there is a worry that the relevance of ‘the condom’ will be forgotten or diminished in the equation of global AIDS control. That would be a big mistake, as condoms remain both the most effective and cost-effective weapon against HIV/AIDS. Yet, remarkably, we see continual shortages and stock-outs on the ground through the world. That is unacceptable and must be remedied sooner than later.  With our Love Condom campaign on Valentine’s Day, we look to spark a revitalized commitment to accessible and quality condom supply and distribution around the world. Condoms save lives – we simply cannot forget that.”

Michael Weinstein, AIDS Healthcare Foundation President said, “While awareness of condoms may be high, availability and easy access continues to be a barrier to consistent condom use around the world. We continue to advocate for condoms to be made more available to the public, as condom use is the best strategy for reducing the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.  AHF is pleased to once again mark International Condom Day with worldwide events to encourage the public to put knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention and condom use into action, and embrace condom use as one of the primary strategies to reduce HIV transmission.”

For more information, please visit www.aidshealth.org or www.lovecondom.org

Participating Countries/Cities in AHF’s International Condom Day 2012 Celebration

Proposed severe medical and financial-eligibility changes to the Ohio AIDS Drug Assistance (ADAP) will restrict access to lifesaving treatment for people with AIDS.

Send the eletter below to Ohio Governor John R. Kasich asking him to stop changes to the state AIDS Drug Assistance Program that will cut off access to AIDS medications for thousands of Ohio AIDS patients.

Thank you!

Simply join the Facebook event page by clicking here, or the facebook button to the right to receive information and updates on the March on Washington.

By marching in solidarity and speaking with a unified voice, we will join together on the opening day of the XIX International AIDS Conference to remind the world that the war on AIDS is not yet won and urge world leaders to “Keep the Promise” and fund AIDS treatment.

Please join us today!

AIDS patients & concerned citizens upset over attempts by the state to adopt medical criteria as a guide to eligibility to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP); Campaign includes ads in the Ohio Dispatch with the headline “Governor Kasich: Stop Playing Bureaucratic Games with People’s Lives” and an eletter campaign via www.saveADAP.org

STEUBENVILLE, OHIO (FEBRUARY 6, 2012)⎯People living with HIV/AIDS and concerned citizens will protest Ohio Governor John R. Kasich at the “State of the State” address tomorrow, Tuesday, February 7th at the Wells Academy in Steubenville over proposed changes to the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) that would amount to AIDS drug rationing. In addition, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS medical care and advocacy organization (which will soon begin construction on a facility in Columbus that will house a thrift store, pharmacy and free HIV testing site), is supporting advocacy efforts in the state with an ad campaign set to the launch this week in the Columbus Dispatch targeting Governor Kasich. The ad, headlined “Governor Kasich: Stop Playing Bureaucratic Games with People’s Lives” urges the Governor to find alternative solutions to the state’s financial woes other than rationing lifesaving AIDS medications.

The ad states: “The Ohio Department of Health is trying to mandate severe medical and financial-eligibility changes to the Ohio AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) that will restrict access to lifesaving treatment for people with AIDS. Arbitrarily cutting off care to people with AIDS is not a cost-effective strategy for health officials, politicians—or Ohio taxpayers. This simply sweeps the problem under the rug and will ultimately lead to more new infections and higher health care costs.” The ad directs viewers to a website: www.saveADAP.org for more information and to send an eletter to Governor Kasich.

WHAT: Protest of Governor Kasich at State of the State Over AIDS Program
WHEN/WHERE: 1:00 PM EST / Wells Academy, 420 N. 4th Street, Steubenville, OH
WHO: People living with HIV/AIDS & concerned citizens
CONTACT: For inquiries about the protest: Eddie Hamilton, (614) 657-4701; For inquiries about the ad & www.saveADAP.org: Lori Yeghiayan Friedman, (323) 377-4312

Last November, a judge granted three Ohio AIDS patients a preliminary injunction preventing the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) from enforcing proposed changes to the state’s ADAP regulations. Earlier in November, longtime HIV/AIDS advocates filed a lawsuit against Theodore E. Wymyslo, M.D., Director of the ODH seeking an injunction to, “…to enjoin the Ohio Department of Health and its Director from enforcing a rule which was not properly adopted…and which will arbitrarily deny funding for potentially life-saving medications to Ohioans infected with HIV or suffering from AIDS-related symptoms.” The complaint was filed Wednesday November 2nd, in the Court of Common Pleas, Franklin County, Ohio (Case number 11CVH-11-13646) on behalf of Ohioans Eddie Hamilton, William Booth and David Baker by attorneys at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP. The complaint also stated, “Because the Ohio Department of Health and its Director failed to follow Ohio’s statutory rule-making process, this Court must find that the proposed rule is unenforceable.”

The catalyst for the legal action arose in late September 2011, when Ohio health officials took final steps to institute what are likely some of the most severe medical and financial-eligibility changes to a government medical assistance program nationwide— provisions that would have rationed health care in Ohio, and would have given the Director of the Ohio Health Department unilateral, arbitrary control over who does and who does not get ADAP. The rule changes, which were scheduled to go into effect November 4th, drastically reduced individuals’ eligibility for Ohio’s beleaguered ADAP one in the national network of federal and state funded programs that provide life-saving HIV treatments to low income, uninsured, and underinsured individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

ADAP Waiting Lists Nationwide
According to ADAP Watch—published by the National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD)— as of January 27th, there were 4,774 individuals in 12 states on waiting lists to access lifesaving HIV/AIDS medications through ADAP. At present, Ohio has no patients on an ADAP waiting list, although over the past year, the state has had hundreds waiting for help from ADAP at times—with a high of 485 Ohioans on its ADAP waiting list as of June 30, 2011.

While Ohio’s proposed rule changes might appear to initially save the state some money in the short term, it ultimately would lead to far higher medical costs to the state as those disenfranchised AIDS patients became ill and seek emergency care at hospitals around the state—something far more costly and far less clinically appropriate.

Nationwide, ADAPs serve over 165,000 people, accounting for one third of people on AIDS treatment in the U.S. Unfortunately, the need for these programs expands every year, as more and more people become infected and diagnosed with HIV/AIDS; each year thousands of newly diagnosed HIV patients turn to ADAPs because they cannot afford their medicines.