written by Bob Skinner, President/CEO of VAIN

As all of you well know, we have been dealing with one of the most challenging financial times this country has seen in decades. People have lost their jobs, their cars and even their homes, most importantly their health insurance. A large percentage of people are barely surviving and are not even getting the basic necessities it takes to live.

People living with HIV/AIDS are not immune to this crisis. There are currently over 6,000 HIV positive individuals in 10 states that have been placed on wait lists, they are unable to access their medications because of these lists. Many state managed ADAP’s (AIDS Drug Assistance Programs) have already run out of money. Oregon’s ADAP, is called Care Assist, which does not have a wait list. This is just the tip of the iceberg!

I personally have attended two ADAP crisis summits, the first held in Washington DC in July of 2010 and the most recent held in Fort Lauderdale Florida, my old home town.

Both were attended by the top activists in the country and were asked a few simple questions: How do we deal with this issue? How can we fix it and how can we prevent this from happening again? Now it doesn't take a rocket scientist to answer these questions! I was able to come up with what I thought were some answers, or at least answers that made some sense. The answers: More federal funding directed toward the ADAP programs, and more prevention efforts. Prevention is the more cost effective way to go. It’s more cost effective to prevent than to treat, but we just can't seem to understand not only with HIV/AIDS, but with all other chronic diseases.

On the brighter side, Valleys AIDS Information Network Inc. (VAIN) as an organization is a survivor, period! Are we thriving? I think we are. This January we elected a new board of directors, a very strong and dedicated group of professionals and community members. We are also very excited with the new community partnership we now have with HIV Alliance in Eugene and their Speakers in the Schools Program.

We also have plans, and have formed a committee, to have the first VAIN 1st Annual AIDS Walk to be held spring of 2012, as well other community fund-raising events. Our website, www.ValleyAIDSInfo.org is in the process of being updated and will include more information on what VAIN is doing along with a calendar of events and better ways to communicate with us. We are always open to suggestions on ways to improve what we are doing and how to do it. VAIN needs the community efforts and support more than ever before.

We will not just survive, we will thrive!

Bob Skinner

President/CEO