(PALM SPRINGS, CA – September 23, 2008)
The Women’s Committee of Desert AIDS Project and 100 Women, a major donor group to D.A.P., will present its 4th Annual Women’s Health Fair on Saturday, September 27, 2008 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Desert AIDS Project, 1695 N. Sunrise Way in Palm Springs. Plenty of free parking is available at the southwest corner of the D.A.P. campus and attendees should use the west entrance, directly across from the Rick Weiss Apartments.
Dr. Shubha Kerkar, a specialist in infectious diseases and HIV medicine, will speak at 10:30 AM on HIV/AIDS as a significant health care concern for women. “Many women have simply been unaware that they might be at risk for HIV infection. Consequently, they get tested and diagnosed later than they might. Often, this means these women may not seek the care they need as soon as they should,” says Dr. Kerkar. “But no woman should be afraid to get tested. This Women’s Health Fair offers the perfect opportunity to recognize that knowledge is power by getting tested. D.A.P. will be offering free and confidential HIV tests at the Fair. You will know the results of your test in about 20 minutes and those results will be disclosed only to you.”
While HIV/AIDS is the main focus at D.A.P., the Women’s Health Fair will provide information and services for many other issues that affect the everyday lives of most women. Desert Regional Medical Center will be providing Blood Sugar, Cholesterol, and Pregnancy testing while Ruiz Family Physicians will be offering Blood Pressure measurements.
In addition, free Mammograms for uninsured women are being sponsored by Desert Women for Equality’s “We Care” Mammogram Program and Desert AIDS Project’s 100 Women. No physician referral is required. Desert Women for Equality provides no cost mammograms for women in the Coachella Valley and 100 Women is proud to partner with them again this year.
“100 Women is all about helping women and children face their health concerns head-on. We were so gratified at the success of our recently-launched Entre Mujeres program in the Eastern Valley where we provided personal hygiene kits to migrant farm worker women and their children,” said Dr. Joy White, a member of both 100 Women and D.A.P.’s Board of Directors. “The local community responded overwhelmingly with donations of the hygiene items that we distributed and D.A.P.’s volunteer group, Stitch in Time, made beautiful baby blankets and teddy bears. The Women’s Health Fair is a great way for us to continue partnering with organizations that can help us to reach women and children in need.”
Some of the other organizations that will be present at the 4th Annual Women’s Health Fair include Advances in Medicine, American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, Coachella Valley Mosquito & Vector District, Coachella Valley Sexual Assault Services, CBBC, Community Rx, COSTCO, D.A.P. Client Committee, D.A.P. Education, Prevention, and Testing, D.A.P. Resource Development, Forest Lawn Memorial Parks and Mortuaries, Gilda’s Club, Girl Scouts of America, Golden Rainbow Senior Center, Juvenile Diabetes, LifeStream (formerly Blood Bank of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties,) Mariana’s Wellness, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Palm Springs Family Care Center, Palm Springs Work Out, Riverside County Office on Aging, Shelter From The Storm, Sunline Transit Agency, Urban Yoga, Voter Registration, Walgreen’s, Weill Institute for Critical Care, and Working Wonders.
The Girl Scouts will entertain children at the Fair and all attendees will be offered free coffee and lunch. There will be a drawing for door prizes at 1:00 p.m. (must be present to win) and other incentives will be offered.
As a proud and active member of the larger community, Desert AIDS Project is proud to once again sponsor an event that calls attention to the particular health needs of women. For more information about the Women’s Health Fair, contact Beth Newton at 760-323-2118, ext 201.
Desert AIDS Project is the organization in our community where people living with HIV and AIDS can receive comprehensive support, including medical care, case management, and social services. D.A.P. also offers free and confidential HIV testing at a number of locations and widespread education and prevention services for schools, civic organizations, businesses, churches, and health organizations throughout the communities it serves. For more information, call 760-323-2118.
