Fighting AIDS, face to face

“I think that if we can tell the truth, we can slow down the spread of HIV,” said Michele Durham, Executive Director of BEAT AIDS. “There is a stigma related to this epidemic, and I think the more those of us who are infected or affected speak up and speak out, the better off the full community will be."

BEAT AIDS, which stands for Black Effort Against the Threat of AIDS, is a nonprofit organization on the Northwest side of San Antonio. Established in 1987, the group's ultimate goal is to stop the spread of HIV in San Antonio. The organizers hope to accomplish that by educating the city's African American community and the general public, providing support groups for those infected or affected by the disease and by raising overall awareness.

Started in 1987 as a door-to-door outreach and a person-to-person connection, the group started by shedding light on how vulnerable San Antonio's African American community was to the disease. According to the Center for Disease Control, African Americans are at a higher risk for contracting the disease. BEAT AIDS became pioneers for starting a public conversation about a subject that was considered taboo in the black community throughout the 80s and 90s.

“There are a lot more people out here who are affected than any of us want to admit to,” said Durham.

Twenty years ago, getting the news of being HIV positive was considered a death sentence. Now there are new drugs available to slow down the spread of he virus. Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) has become the main course of treatment for HIV.

Yet the new treatments are expensive, so the organization provides financial support to help pay for premiums, deductibles and co-payments so people can continue to get the drugs they need.

This year, BEAT AIDS has expanded its mission to include a wide variety of support groups and care for those living with the disease. Case management is offered for those having trouble balancing their schedule with doctor's appointments, medication and continuing living a productive life. The organization even hires professional personnel from various medical and social case management backgrounds to help patients organize their schedules.

Besides helping those infected, BEAT AIDS helps people affected by the disease, offering support groups for those who just need to talk to someone or learn the truths and facts about the disease. The organization also offers groups for people who are HIV positive, homosexuals of color, men, women, and coed groups.

“Some people, who end up infected, their families no longer want anything to do with them. Family members or friends are afraid that if they touch anything or spend time with them, they will in turn become infected.”

BEAT AIDS also offers supports groups who are HIV negative. This is an educational service where the participants can learn everything from proper condom use to information on HIV transmission.

If you are or anyone you know might be infected or in danger of being infected, contact BEAT AIDS (210) 227-4689 for a free HIV test.

For information on upcoming events from BEAT AIDS go to www.beataids.org

For part 2 of our interview with Michele Durham click here: http://blip.tv/file/3448381