A Letter from David Richart, Lifelong AIDS Alliance’s Executive Director

Greetings to our friends and supporters from Lifelong AIDS Alliance!

As Lifelong AIDS Alliance honors its 25th Anniversary, I realize there is much work to be done both regionally and nationally. At times it can be disheartening when you look at the statistics of this mutating, non-discriminating virus, which has spread like wildfire in our communities.

• Annually 40,000 individuals are newly infected with HIV in the U.S.*
• Over a million people are living with HIV and, in 2002, it was estimated half of the people living with HIV/AIDS were not receiving care.*
• African-Americans, who make up 13% of national demographic, represent an estimated 49% of new HIV/AIDS infections and in 2004 it was the leading cause of death among black women ages 25 – 34.*
• In King County, there are 6,320 individuals reported to have HIV. It is estimated 7,200 – 7,800 individuals are HIV infected.**
• In 2005, over 16,300 people died of HIV/AIDS and over half a million have died since the beginning of the epidemic domestically.*
* Source: CDC Website  
** Source: Public Health Seattle/King County, HIV/AIDS Monthly Surveillance Report 

While these numbers can be overwhelming, I can take comfort because the staff, volunteers and partners of Lifelong AIDS Alliance are doing great work to care for those with HIV/AIDS here in our own corner of the nation. In 1983, the first fundraising collection was held by passing a coffee can around in Volunteer Park and since 1989, we have been serving clients statewide through our Evergreen Health Insurance Program. Currently, we are finding great success with our expansion into Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties. Chicken Soup Brigade has grown rapidly in serving clients in these three Puget Sound counties. We are incredibly grateful to the Boeing Employees Community Fund for their donation, which allowed us to purchase a new refrigerated truck to make these deliveries. The Case Management team  is serving numerous new clients in our new Everett office. Our funding is solidly intact for our Mental Health Access Program (mental health referrals), AIDS Care Access Program (medical care referrals) and Seattle Treatment Education Program (medication adherence).

On a national level, I sit on the AIDS Action Council, as a founding agency member. The Council is made up of executive directors of AIDS Service Organizations from across the country, including Gay Men’s Health Crisis (NY), San Francisco AIDS Foundation, AIDS Foundation of Chicago and AIDS Project Los Angeles. By having the largest ASOs in the country unite, we are able to have one strong voice in Washington D.C. This extraordinary group is already preparing for a political change and is meeting with the Presidential Candidates late next month. To learn more about the AIDS Action Council and its call for a national strategy to fight AIDS, please visit: www.nationalaidsstrategy.org.

To borrow from Mother Jones, we need to “pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living.” I believe we must fight to defeat HIV both regionally and nationally. We must come together to build community to give our neighbors strength as they receive care and advocate equality for them. We must do this here, in our backyard, in hopes that our dedication to fight will spread like a wildfire throughout the nation.

Best,
David Richart
Executive Director

Make A Difference Today

Volunteer for a Good Cause!
This year’s Dining Out For Life is on Thursday, April 24, and we are looking for volunteers to act as ambassadors at the participating restaurants and as supply runners should an ambassador need additional donation envelopes. Proceeds from Dining Out For Life benefit Lifelong’s client services, including Chicken Soup Brigade. If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information, please contact our Volunteer Program at 206.957.1776 or volunteer@llaa.org

Show Your Support
Are you looking for a way to show your support of Lifelong AIDS Alliance in 2008? Visit Lifelong’s e-store and purchase your zip-up black hoodie, laptop backpack or thermos today! All proceeds benefit Lifelong’s client service programs.

Care To Shop
Next time you visit your favorite grocery store, consider participating in our Care To Shop program! Click here for participating stores and times. As you do your own grocery shopping, throw an extra can or two of hearty soup or mixed fruit in your cart for Chicken Soup Brigade, Lifelong’s food program. As you exit one of our recommended stores, you can drop off the food into a Care to Shop barrel or deliver it to Lifelong AIDS Alliance at 1002 East Seneca on Capitol Hill, Monday thru Friday from 8:30am to 5pm, or Saturday from 10am to 1pm.

Upcoming Events

April 12, 2008: Pillow Talk Bingo, Come to bed with Gay Bingo! – SOLD OUT
Lifelong AIDS Alliance’s 15th season of Gay Bingo, presented by Vulcan Real Estate, is going strong with sold out performances of our new drag queen line-up, fabulous guest callers, the unstoppable Miss Intermission and those sassy Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence! April’s guest hostess is Lady Chablis with Seattle Weekly’s Date Girl as the special guest caller.

Reserve your tickets now for Broadway Bingo on May 10 with Bitsy Bates as our guest hostess! 

Special thanks to the 2008 Gay Bingo Season Sponsors: Vulcan Real Estate, Babeland, Whole Foods Market at Westlake, Seattle Weekly and MOViN 92.5 and to April’s Spotlight Sponsor, TYLENOL PM. 

April 24, 2008: Dining Out For Life – Make your reservations today!
Mark it on your calendar and round up your friends for a great dinner party! Russell Investments presents the 15th Annual Dining Out For Life on Thursday, April 24! Participating restaurants donate 30% of each diner’s check to Lifelong AIDS Alliance. In 2007 participating restaurants and patrons donated more than $215,000! Help us beat our goal! Check our website for updates on participating establishments.

If you are a restaurant, bar, café, bakery or coffee stand who would like to participate in this year’s event, please contact Trevor DeWitt at 206.957.1638 or trevord@llaa.org.

A Special Thank You to the Black Tie Bingo Guests & Sponsors!
The 4th Annual Black Tie Bingo was a smashing success thanks to our generous attendees and our sponsors: Alaska Airlines, Whole Foods Market - Westlake, Sound Community Bank, Seattle Weekly, Men’s Wearhouse, McKinley Irvin, PLLC, Hotel Monaco, and our after party sponsor MOMS Pharmacy. Thank you to Sylvia O’Stayformore, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and Jack Mackenroth!

View photos from Black Tie Bingo! 

Thank you to our Prize Donors: Amtrak, ArtsWest Playhouse, Burke Museum, Gary Manuel Salon & Gary Manuel Aveda Institute, Grouse Mountain Lodge, ‘mo magazine, Paramount Theatre, Rebecca Douglas Photography, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle SuperSonics, David Wash & Steven Mungaven of Coin-o-matic-vending.com

Thank you to the Gift Bag Contributors: Cha Dao Tea, El Gaucho, MAC Cosmetics, ‘mo magazine, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Tazo Tea, Troiani, Trophy Cupcakes, Waterfront Seafood Grill