t's that time of the year again when the BurlesquePDX community and I work together to raise money to support the Cascade AIDS Project and the AIDS Walk of Portland.
I like to start with my story, to personalize this effort and provide some perspective.
It has been 15 years that I have been HIV positive. I found out about my status on my 19th birthday, in 1998 and have been working to stay healthy and active in fighting to prevent HIV infections, support and empower people affected and infected by HIV/AIDS, and eliminate HIV/AIDS-related stigma. It's a long battle, and there are strides made. Some ask me why I chose to become open and public with my status... and simply put - to put a face, personality and a friend to the words HIV & AIDS. You, by virtue of receiving this email, are affected by HIV. You know someone, and I hope consider a friend, someone living with HIV. That redhead you see around smiling and cutting up to make you laugh, or who posts on Facebook the silliest crap... is battling an internal war. That sassy, brassy broad who is loud and full of herself, running burlesque shows and performing all over the place... fights a virus everyday. I am fortunate enough, through the assistance of the Cascade AIDS Project, who provides a bridge to medical insurance when none was offered through my temp agency, and continued to provide it when I was unemployed. While I am fortunate to have employment with a company whose insurance plan covers the large majority of my medication, there are thousands of others in the Multnomah County and surrounding areas who are helped by CAP to provide them with life-saving medications, and just as importantly, they provide education and preventative services, as well as free HIV & STD testing opportunities because everyone should know their status... it is power.
This is why I walk in the Portland AIDS Walk:
...to give back to an agency that has helped me in times of need.to help an organization who fights the stigma that HIV positive individuals often feel in life, employment and social settings.
...to help the prevention of newer cases, which a disturbing new study reports is increasing in the heterosexual and certain racial communities, in some cases more than gay or hetero-non-normative communities.
Can you help? Every dollar counts.
Could you consider donating a few dollars to help our fundraising goals?
http://burly.me/DonatetoBPDXAIDSWalk2014
Other ways to help:
1. WALK!
To join the BurlesquePDX team and walk/raise funds, visit here: http://burly.me/JoinBPDXatAIDSWalk2013
2. RAISE FUNDS!
To help raise money, you don't have to walk... register as a *Sleep Walker* and ask for donations to help us reach our goal: http://burly.me/JoinBPDXatAIDSWalk2014
3. DONATE!
Help out by donating to the cause, visit here to make your donation:
http://burly.me/DonatetoBPDXAIDSWalk2014
4. SHARE!
Tell a friend about our fundraising efforts by tweeting/posting/sharing this link: http://www.BurlesquePDX.com/cares
I appreciate your time reading this, and your help and dedication in sharing this with everyone
I like to start with my story, to personalize this effort and provide some perspective.
It has been 15 years that I have been HIV positive. I found out about my status on my 19th birthday, in 1998 and have been working to stay healthy and active in fighting to prevent HIV infections, support and empower people affected and infected by HIV/AIDS, and eliminate HIV/AIDS-related stigma. It's a long battle, and there are strides made. Some ask me why I chose to become open and public with my status... and simply put - to put a face, personality and a friend to the words HIV & AIDS. You, by virtue of receiving this email, are affected by HIV. You know someone, and I hope consider a friend, someone living with HIV. That redhead you see around smiling and cutting up to make you laugh, or who posts on Facebook the silliest crap... is battling an internal war. That sassy, brassy broad who is loud and full of herself, running burlesque shows and performing all over the place... fights a virus everyday. I am fortunate enough, through the assistance of the Cascade AIDS Project, who provides a bridge to medical insurance when none was offered through my temp agency, and continued to provide it when I was unemployed. While I am fortunate to have employment with a company whose insurance plan covers the large majority of my medication, there are thousands of others in the Multnomah County and surrounding areas who are helped by CAP to provide them with life-saving medications, and just as importantly, they provide education and preventative services, as well as free HIV & STD testing opportunities because everyone should know their status... it is power.
This is why I walk in the Portland AIDS Walk:
...to give back to an agency that has helped me in times of need.to help an organization who fights the stigma that HIV positive individuals often feel in life, employment and social settings.
...to help the prevention of newer cases, which a disturbing new study reports is increasing in the heterosexual and certain racial communities, in some cases more than gay or hetero-non-normative communities.
Can you help? Every dollar counts.
Could you consider donating a few dollars to help our fundraising goals?
http://burly.me/DonatetoBPDXAIDSWalk2014
Other ways to help:
1. WALK!
To join the BurlesquePDX team and walk/raise funds, visit here: http://burly.me/JoinBPDXatAIDSWalk2013
2. RAISE FUNDS!
To help raise money, you don't have to walk... register as a *Sleep Walker* and ask for donations to help us reach our goal: http://burly.me/JoinBPDXatAIDSWalk2014
3. DONATE!
Help out by donating to the cause, visit here to make your donation:
http://burly.me/DonatetoBPDXAIDSWalk2014
4. SHARE!
Tell a friend about our fundraising efforts by tweeting/posting/sharing this link: http://www.BurlesquePDX.com/cares
I appreciate your time reading this, and your help and dedication in sharing this with everyone