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Volume XI, Issue No.
3
April, 2005
HIV/AIDS Volunteer Enrichment Network
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Volume XI, Issue No.
3
April, 2005
HIV/AIDS Volunteer Enrichment Network
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The Haven Consumer Advisory Board—or CAB—is made up of clients whose purpose is to serve those living with HIV/AIDS by giving information to Haven on what services clients of Haven want or need. We are asking for people who care and can help others keep Haven informed about clients changes and needs. The CAB meets every 2nd Tuesday of each Month from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. You can contact Richard at 410-424-1955. Thank You!
By Tony Teano
March 12 was an amazing day of fun
and games for all of the HAVEN community—thanks to the North Arundel Alumni and
Annapolis Alumni Chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. More than 100 people—mostly children living
in families affected by HIV/AIDS—enjoyed crafts, food, games, bingo, door prizes…
and more! There was so much fun—it was
too hot to handle! In fact, the fire
alarm went off at the UUCA by accident!
From the bottom of our hearts, please accept a very sincere “thank you”
for all of your hard work, ladies!
(Pictured above, Regina and her niece—see insert for more fond memories
captured on film!)
QUALITY OF LIFE RETREATS
By
Tony Teano
The Baltimore-Washington Conference of United Methodist
Churches have been one of our strongest allies in the struggle against
HIV/AIDS. They sponsor spiritual
“Quality of Life Retreats.” Raymond Shattuck is available to answer questions
about the retreats (410-626-2834).
HIV Vaccine
Update
By Amanda Possoby
Wouldn’t it be great if we had a vaccine for HIV like the measles vaccine?
Doctor’s at the Scripps Research Institute are working on this. The Institute is located in two places La Jolla, California and Palm Beach County, Florida. Some of the research they do is immunology and autoimmune diseases. The scientists at this institute have been working on a rare structure of the human antibody and this may open the door for a vaccine.
So you ask how they have neutralized the antibodies. It was stated in the science daily article that “neutralizing antibodies are soluble proteins that are secreted by adaptive immune cells into the bloodstream, following exposure to a virus.” The neutralizing antibodies are the best defense against the disease because they bind to viral particles. This helps by stopping the disease from infecting the cells in our body. It is said that if the antibodies are present before infection that they could neutralize the disease before infection.
Is this process easy? Well, I wish I could say yes, unfortunately it isn’t. What happens is that the body doesn’t produce the antibodies that neutralize the virus. Also the body produces many antibodies against HIV but not the neutralizing ones. In the article they did state that some patients with the virus have produced the neutralizing antibodies against the disease. The main one they found was 4E10 and they stated that the antibody is so active that it neutralizes nearly 100 different strains of HIV. This neutralizing antibody 4E10 seems to be the best way to establish a vaccine.
So in closing is this possible. Yes, it is possible for a
vaccine but it seems like it is going to take time. They said in the article
that they have known about 4E10 for a decade. It seems like patients and time
is going to be the key to unlocking an HIV vaccine. For more information you can visit www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/02/050224111351.htm
HIV IN THE NEWS
By Tony Teano
Every month, science forges ahead with new discoveries about HIV/AIDS. Sometimes, those discoveries feel like they propel the world forward, and sometimes, it is like a throw back. Sometimes, stories hit home. Here are some recent examples.
First, I’ll give you the good news. Researchers at the University of California
Los Angeles AIDS Institute have genetically
altered HIV and folded it into an envelope made of another virus called
sindbis, which typically infects insects and birds. That turned the altered HIV
into a missile that hunted down metastasized melanoma cells in the lungs of
living mice. "People might wonder if it's scary to use HIV as a therapy,"
said Irving Chen, who led the UCLA team. "But in actuality we have
completely removed 80 percent of the virus. So really it's just a
carrier." In short, scientists are
reasearching the application of HIV to treat lung cancer, successfully.
Now for the bad news,
New York City's health commissioner, Thomas R.
Frieden, announced on February 11 the discovery of a possibly new and deadly
HIV strain. The case studied progressed
rapidly; the virus was completely resistant to treatment. More research must be done to determine if
this case was an isolated instance, or if indeed a new strain of the virus has
emerged.
Finally, in local news, the Capital
ran a story in advance of the Buddy Training at the end of February, a clipping
of which is included with this newsletter.
THANK YOU, UCP of
Southern Maryland!
By Tony Teano
Nine volunteers, including six United Cerebral Palsy of Southern Maryland clients and three staff members, went through an orientation about HAVEN and a training on confidentiality in February, and they were integral last month at News Room! THANK YOU so much for your eagerness to help. I am excited about this new collaboration. I hope you had fun, and I look forward to seeing you again next month!
WELCOME NEW
BUDDIES AND NEW AACC SERVICE LEARNERS
By Tony Teano
Eleven people from three counties attended the Buddy Training at the end of February, and 9 of them were from Anne Arundel County—and four of those were already a part of the HAVEN Family! Also, 6 people from AACC are signed up as service-learners this semester! Thanks for your volunteerism from the bottom of our hearts!
THANK YOU TO THE
BUDDY TRAINING TEAM
By Tony Teano
The recent success with the Buddy Program Training was a result of a fantastic team, including Bernice Culver (Carroll County HIV Case Manager), Vance Larson (HAVEN Housing Director and Buddy Coordinator), Lesley Sampson (Harford County Health Department HIV Social Worker), Debbie Meyer (Howard County Health Department HIV Social Worker), and Joann Whitby (Queen Anne’s County Health Department HIV Nurse). Thank you for all your teamwork and camaraderie to create a great training!
H.A.v.e.n.
Telephone Numbers
Bob Davis, President
703-841-4460
email: bdavis@caci.com
or: write to
P.O. Box 514, Arnold, MD 21012
or: Diane or
Tony can have him call you
Executive Director
Diane Goforth
(410) 544-2244
Director of Volunteers & Client Services
Tony Teano
(410) 224-2437
Housing Director & Buddy Services
Coordinator
Vance Larson
(410) 672-7571
Our House Resident Manager
Sharon Dawson
(Reach through Vance or Diane)
In Memorium
We would like to remember those
who have passed away in the next newsletter, bearing in mind
confidentiality. if you would like to
include someone, contact us. Also,
HAVEN quilt patches are available.