ART FOR AIDS IV - AIDS Services Foundation Orange County

MARCH-APRIL 2005
www.ocasf.org
www.aidswalk.org/oc
WORLD
AIDS
1,000,000
AND
COUNTING…
P. 8
DAYP. 6
ART FOR AIDS IV
AN EVENING WITH CYBILL SHEPHERD P. 4
SOMOS
Spanish
outreach program P. 10

inside this issue
FEATURES
ART FOR AIDS IV 4
An evening with Cybill Shepherd
WORLD AIDS DAY 6
A reminder of the continuing global crisis
CLIENT ADVISORY COUNCIL 7
Members sponsor a Nigerian orphan
1,000,000 AND COUNTING 8
HIV as a global pandemic
CLIENT SURVEY RESULTS 9
SOMOS 10
ASF’S Spanish outreach program
DEPARTMENTS
INTRODUCTION 3
RECENT EVENTS 7
PATRON’S COUNCIL 14
MEMORIALS & TRIBUTES 15
SPECIAL THANKS 16
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Officers
Al Roberts
Board President
Karen Ellis
Board Vice President
Jorge Rodriguez, M.D.
Board Secretary
Mark Guillod
Board Treasurer
Members
Frank Bianchini
Hung Fan, Ph.D.
Risa Groux
Daniel Haspert, M.D.
Arnold Henson, M.D.
Dale Jenkins
Ken Jillson
Janice Johnson
Nathan Jurczyk
David Kiff
Denise Lavigne
James Loomis
Maria Marquez, M.S., M.F.T.
Mark Merhab
Judith O'Dea-Morr
Judith Rosenthal
Alexander Wentzel
As a way to cut back on production and printing costs, ASF
has decided to publish the Spanish version of The Voice on
our website at www.ocasf.org
We want to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to
read The Voice, so we would appreciate your feedback on
this change.
Please contact: Jamie Jaffe, Communications Coordinator at
jjaffe@ocasf.org or 949-809-8763
On the cover: Cybill Shepherd entertains a rapt audience at Art for AIDS IV.
Editor
Jamie Jaffe
Design & Layout
Gillian Kirkpatrick
King Graphic Design
Printing
Ken Sakata
Litho Communications

from the
President of the Board
& the Executive Director
As Spring approaches, we should take the time to reflect on the
New Year’s resolutions that we made three months ago. Most
of us commit to such goals as starting a diet, joining a gym
(and actually going), and attempting to quit bad habits.
Resolutions are the way we reconsider how we live our lives
and how we can begin to make smart changes. Some resolutions are
serious commitments for change while others get deferred, year after
year, until the following January. As we consider the resolutions that
we made, we often reflect on our successes and failures, contemplate
our hopes realized and dreams forgotten, and consider what we have
learned and how we can apply it to the future.
When thinking of our past, it’s hard not to remember the loved
ones we’ve lost and the heroes who have been instrumental in
improving lives. One such hero recently retired from her efforts.
Pearl Jemison-Smith, a founding Board member and a dynamic community
advocate, has left the Board of Directors. The absence of her
strength and wisdom will continue to leave an enormous gap at ASF.
Since the first deadly years of the epidemic, Pearl helped shape and
develop ASF and HIV/AIDS services for the entire county. She advocated
for quality services for HIV/AIDS patients, helped heal many
ailing souls, and acted as a community leader unlike any other in
Orange County. While we cannot hope to replace her, she will always
be part of the ASF family.
ASF has also recently lost client and board member, Denise
Lavigne, who passed away in early February. Denise spent the last 15
years volunteering for ASF representing and leading the fight for
those living with HIV/AIDS. As chair of our Client Advisory
Committee, Denise worked to improve and develop ASF programs
and the lives of those facing the hardships brought on by HIV/AIDS.
Denise’s immeasurable spirit, energy and passion will forever be a
part of ASF. No matter the circumstance, she stood up for what she
believed in and faced each obstacle head on-she would let nothing
get in her way. Her laughter and humor made us sometimes forget
that she was struggling to live with the discomforts brought on by
HIV/AIDS. At ASF, we will use Denise’s memory to remind us why
we continue to do what we do. We will remember her courage and
let it be a reminder of the thousands of others that depend on the
services of ASF.
All things considered, it seems that the one constant in life is
change. As we look forward to the future, ASF is facing its twentieth
anniversary in the fall of 2005. When ASF was founded in 1985, no
one could have suspected it would be around twenty years later.
People thought the HIV/AIDS epidemic would be short-lived. We
thought that our ultimate goal of finding a cure and a vaccination
would be reached within ten years. But each year that goal has been
pushed back, much like a New Year’s resolution never attained. Now
researchers are suggesting that a vaccination is at best fifteen years out
and a cure seems unlikely.
As a result, we are always assessing our work and determining new
directions and goals for the future. Some of those goals are determined
by changes in the HIV/AIDS service system, such as the
recent decision of UCI Medical Center to eliminate its Ryan White
“ 2005, like every other year, will bring changes, challenges,
and growth to ASF. We're prepared to confront the
challenges and to institute changes that will make us
stronger and more able to serve those who need us. As
always, we welcome your thoughts and feedback. Please
don't hesitate to contact us. With your support we can
continue to help those living with HIV/AIDS and educate
others on how to protect tomorrow's generation.”
Above: Alan Witchey (left) & Al Roberts at a recent fundraising event
Specialty Medical Care Services. To compensate for this, we’ll need
to find new providers willing to accept our clients. As we write this,
we don’t yet know how all that will turn out. Another alarming story
came in the form of a new strain of HIV that surfaced in New York
City and San Diego. This strain leads to an AIDS diagnosis in a few
months and is resistant to all known medications. Developments
such as these require us to work faster, smarter, and better than we
have before.
So, we must remain true to our original goal of providing health
and hope for as long as we are needed. In striving to stay true to our
commitment, we’ve sought feedback from clients, donors, volunteers,
and other community members concerning how ASF should
evolve in 2005. In the coming months we will execute the following:
1) Conduct a full assessment of our current services to determine
how or if we can enhance them; 2) Determine the feasibility of ASF
offering medical services; 3) Explore ways to expand our services
and/or our mission; and 4) Take every effort to prevent the continued
spread of HIV in our community.
Perhaps the most adventurous goal is the exploration of offering
medical services. We’ve begun to look at this issue because so many
of our impoverished clients are struggling to access medical care and
recent research has suggested that when medical services are offered
on-site with social services like those at ASF (case management,
mental health, food, transportation, etc.), people are more likely to
utilize them. Across the country, HIV/AIDS organizations are beginning
to consider the option of providing medical services. While we
haven’t made a decision yet, we will be evaluating the possibility over
the next year.
—Al Roberts, Board President & Alan Witchey, Executive Director
THE VOICE MAR/APR 05 3

art for aids IV
an evening with Cybil Shepherd
Another evening of art and elegance has passed as Art for AIDS IV, the fourth annual event
benefiting AIDS Services Foundation Orange County (ASF) and Laguna Art Museum, took place on Saturday,
February 5, 2005 in the Pacific Ballroom of The St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort and Spa in Dana Point, CA. The
evening, full of glitz and glamour, spotlighted the blonde beauty herself, Cybill Shepherd, as she
took center stage in the role of the evening’s celebrity guest and performer.
Returning event chairs-Jack Kenefick from Laguna Art Museum, Arnie Klein, M.D.,
Founding Director, American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) and
Founding President of ASF Al Roberts—reunited the partnership between ASF
and Laguna Art Museum in an effort to sustain the important work performed by
each organization. In a statement made together, the group felt it was important
to express the value of the relationship.
“Each year, Art for AIDS creates an opportunity for our organizations to
open their doors to each other. It creates an evening where two communities
can come together and demonstrate their support for the visual arts and
the HIV and AIDS epidemic in Orange County.”
The night’s festivities began with cocktails, conversation, and a silent
auction, all which created the perfect setting for supporters of
both organizations to mix and mingle. Once the crowd had
taken their seats in the exclusive Pacific Ballroom, they
were presented with a magnificent buffet dinner prepared
by some of the finest restaurants in Orange
County. Places such as 5', Aqua, and Chat Noir prepared
delicacies unique to their eatery’s style of cuisine
and set up culinary stations around the ballroom
for guests to indulge in and enjoy.
After all had the opportunity to eat, drink and be
merry, the excitement continued as the live auction
took the stage and the bidding began. Hollywood
favorite, Carrie Fisher, had a front row seat again
this year and took the stage to auction off several
autographed copies of the Star Wars Trilogy that
went for $700 each!
Television star Shirley Jones also took part in
the live auction as she modeled
a diamond and platinum
key pendent that was
donated for auction by
Tiffany’s.
This year it was a privilege of
both ASF and Laguna Art
Museum to welcome Cybill
Shepherd as the evening’s
celebrity guest and performer.
From the minute she took to the
stage, the crowd was delighted
and entertained by Ms. Shepherd’s
intimate lounge-style performance
complete with musical numbers,
comedic stand-up, and readings from
her book,“Cybill Disobedience”. q
4 THE VOICE MAR/APR 05

Photos by Stan Sholik Photography
Al Roberts, Shirley Jones, Ken Jillson, and Shirley Jones’
husband, comedian Marty Ingles
John and Kathy Meek, Diane and Johno Wells
Ken Jillson took the stage and acted as MC
for the live auction event
Carrie Fisher signs the Art for AIDS IV poster that was sold
for $1000 during the live auction
Art for AIDS IV chairs Arnie Klein, M.D., Al Roberts,
and Jack Kenefick of Laguna Art Museum
Chris Brewer and Marilyn Brewer
Mark Porterfield, Santina Davies, Sasha Fedortchez
Debbie Simon and friend, Cybill Shepherd,
Retha and Chris Champion
Dwight Spiers, Al Roberts and Gordon Cowan
Shirley Jones
ASF client and guest speaker, Shirley LeGrand
AIDS Services Foundation Orange County and Laguna Art Museum would like to thank each and every sponsor, supporter and attendee of Art for AIDS IV. With your encouragement
and assistance we were able to make this year’s event another success. This year’s donations and support of Art for AIDS IV contributed to the over a million dollars that has been raised
since 2002. These efforts have, and will continue to, sustain the important work performed by co-organizers AIDS Service Foundation Orange County and Laguna Art Museum. For
information about AIDS Services Foundation Orange County visit www.ocasf.org . For more information about Laguna Art Museum, visit www.lagunaartmuseum.org. The St. Regis
Monarch Beach Resort and Spa website is www.stregismb.com.
We are very grateful for the generous donation of services made by the following individuals and businesses to Art for AIDS IV:
RESTAURANTS: 5' - Five Feet Restaurant, Michael Kang, Executive Chef • AQUA - The St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa - Bruno Chemel, Executive Chef • David Wilhelm’s Chat Noir, Costa Mesa, Chris Reischl, Exectutive Chef,
Ryan Adams, Corporate Chef • Mark’s Catering - Mark and Melinda DePalma, Proprietors; Martín Gonzalez, Executive Chef • Motif Restaurant - The St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa, Executive Chef, Azmin Ghahreman • Plum’s Café &
Catering, Costa Mesa, Kim Jorgenson, Principal • Saltwater Mexican Grill, Laguna Niguel, A. Michael Wenholz, Managing Partner • Sundried Tomato Café & Catering, Laguna Beach and San Juan Capistrano, Mark Jacobi, Proprietor
BEVERAGES: Young’s Market Co. / The Estates Group, Vern Underwood and Bob Paterson • Starbucks Coffee Co. • Greg Erfani
MEDIA: A&U • Coast Magazine • IN Los Angeles • KJZZ-88.1 FM • Laguna Independent • OC Weekly • Orange Coast • The Blade
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES: John Anderson • Bill Atkins Graphic Design, Bill Atkins • Bradford Renaissance Portraits • Clinique Ergoniqe • Ferrari & Maserati of Orange County • Hampton Productions • hush • Gerald Ishibashi and
Stonebridge • Jillson & Roberts • King Graphic Design, Gillian Kirkpatrick • Lisa Lotthouse • Mark’s Catering • Pacific Coast Flower Market • Peter Blake Gallery • Presentation Services - St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa • Primal
Elements • Linda Roth • Schmid’s Fine Chocolates of San Clemente • Cybill Shepherd • Stan Sholik Photography • The Showpros Group, Inc. • Signature Party Rentals • The St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa • The Redfern Gallery •
Tabu Grill • TCS-Total Communication Services • Ti Amo Ristorante • Tiffany and Co. • William Merrill Gallery • Woody’s at the Beach
THE VOICE MAR/APR 05 5

world AIDS day
On December 1 2004, ASF united together with Laguna
Beach HIV Advisory Committee commemorated
World AIDS Day. Along with AIDS Care Teams In
Our Neighborhoods, Laguna Beach Community
Clinic, The Gay and Lesbian Center, and Shanty OC,
the groups joined together to form one powerful vision of
action and hope.
“It is vital that Orange County acknowledge the significance
of World AIDS Day”, said Ruth Peters-Pak, ASF’s former
Director of Health Education. “We may only make up a small
section of the world, but our community contributes to the 40
million people around the globe living with HIV today. The
disease has a ripple effect. If we take on the fight in our own
back yard, we in turn become part of the larger battle.”
ASF accepted the call to duty by becoming part of Laguna
Beach HIV Advisory Committee’s World AIDS Day commemoration.
Staff members, health educators, and clients
made their presence and objective known in the community
by providing on-site education and information to the public.
ASF’s Prevention with Positives, a program available in Spanish
and English, was there to educate individuals who are living
with HIV on safer sex practices, risk reduction techniques,
positive sexual health, and suggestions for how to cope with
living with HIV. ASF’s Primary Prevention program, directed
towards high risk HIV negative individuals, also had health
educators in attendance to answer questions and provide
guidance to the public. They provided learning materials
on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle and how people can
protect themselves from contracting HIV and other sexually
transmitted diseases.
In addition to contributing their own specialized services,
ASF also came together with the other participating organizations
to strengthen the messages of World AIDS day. As a mark
of respect and recognition, the group tied red ribbons on trees
around Laguna Beach with the names of residents who have
died of AIDS during the 20 years of the epidemic. ASF also
supported the presence of the Laguna Beach Clinic mobile
facility on the beach, which provided free HIV rapid testing for
people to come without an appointment and receive their
results in 20 minutes.
The City of Irvine took official action and issued a proclamation in observance
of World AIDS Day, Wednesday, December 1, 2004. Mayor Larry
Agran signed the proclamation which calls for “tolerance, understanding
and compassion in Orange County and around the world for everyone who
is impacted and affected by HIV and AIDS”.
ASF is most appreciative to Irvine Commissioner Mitch Goldstone, a member
of ASF’s Public Policy Committee and long time friend and corporate
sponsor of ASF and AIDS Walk, for arranging for this proclamation. Irvine has
been the home of AIDS Walk for 18 years, since its inception, and the home
of AIDS Services Foundation's offices for more than 10 years.
The City of Irvine has been a dedicated and loyal supporter of AIDS
Services Foundation and has shown great leadership and integrity in the
fight against AIDS right here in Orange County. We thank Commissioner
Goldstone, Mayor Agran, and the Irvine City Council for recognizing World
AIDS Day 2004.
6 THE VOICE MAR/APR 05
“World AIDS Day is an opportunity once a year to remember
those we have lost to AIDS and remind ourselves of the continuing
global crisis of HIV/AIDS”, stated Tom Peterson, ASF’s Director of
Public Policy. “At the same time, it is a day to recommit ourselves
to the domestic HIV epidemic, and recognize that the global
epidemic begins right here, caring for those living with HIV.”
The day culminated with a candle light vigil led by Reverend
Ron Hyrchuk of the South Coast Medical Center at Main
Beach in Laguna. “AIDS has changed our lives and taken away
our loved ones,” said Reverend Hyrcuck, “but as life carries on,
we must take the time to stop and remember.” As a time of
reflection, remembrance, and hope, the attending crowd of 50,
each holding their candles close, shared aloud the names of
those that had lost the battle to AIDS.
For some, World AIDS Day is a time filled with grief for
those who have lost the fight with AIDS. For others it is a day
to seek out strength and faith in what the future may bring.
World AIDS Day is a time for the world to be reminded that
there is still no cure. We cannot forget that more than 20 million
people have died from AIDS-related diseases since the
beginning of the epidemic, and that an estimated 40 million
people around the world today are living with HIV. q

MEMBERS SPONSOR
A NIGERIAN ORPHAN
client advisory committee
Forty million people are living with
AIDS worldwide. There are 3 million
people estimated to be living with
HIV/AIDS in the country of Nigeria
where over a million children have been
orphaned because of the AIDS epidemic.
Sadly, this number is on the rise due to
the high number of adults living with
HIV/AIDS and their lack of accessibility
to antiretroviral treatment.
The HIV/AIDS outbreak in Nigeria
brings about unimaginable devastation to
the country, affecting both young and
old. Among these overwhelming effects
is the dramatic number of children,
ranging in age from a few months to 18
years old, orphaned by AIDS. These
children, coping with the emotional
stress and trauma of witnessing the
deterioration and death of one or both
parents are also faced with the significant
decrease, if not complete loss, of household
income. As a result, their quality of
life, health, and education is radically
diminished which can lead a child to
abandon his or her education in exchange
for a life of child labor.
In many cases, orphans are left in the
care of guardians or placed in foster care.
While they are technically under adult
supervision and protection, these children
are more often than not subjected to
violence, exploitation and abuse. Their
guardians do not provide emotional
support and the children are often malnourished
and mistreated. They are not
taught adequate social and life skills and
do not learn to properly thrive and
advance in society. The orphans who
themselves are infected with HIV/AIDS
have no one to support them with the
physical and emotional anguish brought
on by the disease. They are not able to
afford the cost of treating HIV-related illnesses,
and do not know how to properly
seek medical attention.
ASF’s Client Advisory Committee
(CAC) recognized this global issue. As
clients of ASF, the CAC focuses on the
prioritization and establishment of ongoing
improvements to ASF services. One
member of the CAC, an individual born
and raised in Nigeria, initiated the idea of
the committee becoming actively
involved in an attempt to improve the life
of just one child affected by the world
AIDS epidemic. Putting aside their own
struggles of coping and living with
HIV/AIDS, the CAC made the decision
to provide assistance to a child who is not
able to access the care and support of a
place like ASF.
The CAC members were put in contact
with Dorcas Call Ministry, an organization
whose mission is to help disadvantaged
teenagers, women and orphaned
children in Northern Nigeria. The organization’s
founder, Helen Bako, was born
and raised in Northern Nigeria and leads
the organization from her home in
Southern California. She established
Dorcas Call Ministry in response to the
fact that HIV/AIDS was taking over her
country. “I remember returning home to
my village in Northern Nigeria. I asked
my parents of the whereabouts of families
in my community,” tells Bako. “Reality
came crashing down on me when I
learned that most had died from AIDS.”
Bako knew she could not sit and watch
her people fall victim to this deadly epidemic.
She was extremely concerned
about the children who had lost one if
not both parents to AIDS. She witnessed
the destruction of their lives as they lived
in the streets and deserted their educations.
Many of these children were living
with HIV/AIDS themselves but were
keeping their disease a secret, afraid of
what others would think.
Dorcas Call Ministry develops AIDS
global outreach
education programs targeted at the youth
of Northern Nigeria. “The younger generations
have been taught that HIV/
AIDS is a result of sinful acts,” states
Bako. “They have never been educated
on the realities of the disease. They know
nothing about how the disease affects a
person, how it is contracted, and how it is
transmitted. They are taught not to
acknowledge its existence even as it
destroys their world.”
Through Helen Bako and Dorcas Call
Ministry, ASF’s Client Advisory Committee
will sponsor and correspond with
Abigail, a young girl who has lost her
father to AIDS. Abigail, pictured above,
is 8 years old and lives with her mother
and 7 siblings. It is not known if her
mother is suffering from HIV/AIDS, but
Abigail watches every day as her mother
sweeps homes to support her family. The
CAC members will each contribute $5 a
month that will go towards Abigail’s education.
According to Bako, if a child can
obtain a basic education and acquire the
fundamental skills necessary to earn a safe
and healthy living, they are more likely to
escape extreme poverty.
It is expected that the AIDS orphan
population in Africa will reach 25 million
by the year 2010. It is a problem that
won’t disappear on its own. ASF’s Client
Advisory Committee’s selfless efforts and
support will give Abigail the opportunity
to attend a quality school and to gain the
knowledge that she and others of the
growing orphan population in Nigeria
need to overcome the obstacles of a country
ravaged by AIDS.q
THE VOICE MAR/APR 05 7

public policy
As we move farther into
2005, I cannot escape the
realization that we have
already reached the midpoint
of the first decade of
the 21st century and are peering
over the edge of the 24th
year of the HIV epidemic. It’s
hard to believe that an
obscure, mysterious cancer
that was first associated with a
small cluster of patients in
several cities 1981 would
grow to become a global
pandemic that has killed 20
million people, orphaned 15
million children and continues
to spread widely across
the country and around the
globe. The momentum of
this epidemic seems to be
increasing, with nearly 5 million
new HIV infections in
the world last year. In 2005,
the United States will observe
a disturbing milestone, when
an estimated 1 million people
will be living with HIV. This
is the enormity of the HIV
epidemic in 2005.
Although it was just two
decades ago, the early days of
the HIV epidemic seem to be
in the far distant past. These
were times of high mortality
rates, multiple opportunistic
infections that ravaged people’s
bodies, and one catastrophic
illness after another
that left patients, along with
their friends and families,
feeling overwhelmed, discouraged
and defeated. Those
were the dark ages.
Breakthrough HIV medications
and improved preventive
care began to turn the
tide of the epidemic in the
late 1990s. This slowed the
mortality rate and provided
the first glimmers of hope for
people living with HIV.
Further advances in these
medications have added more
potency and durability to
these treatments to the point
that many people have recovered
their health after being
disabled by HIV disease.
Although there is still no cure
and no treatment that eliminates
HIV in the body, combination
therapy has shown a
remarkable capacity to control
the destruction of the
immune system by HIV, at
least for now.
1,000,000 and Counting
In the thirty minutes that most people spend each day drinking coffee or reading
the paper, two people will become newly HIV infected in the Untied States.
8 THE VOICE MAR/APR 05
But the dark ages are not
very far away for many people
who are living with HIV
today. Even with so much
progress to report, a person
living with HIV still faces a
world of uncertainty and fear.
Government funded programs
for health care and
support services have not
been funded at levels to keep
pace with a growing epidemic.
Stigma and isolation remain
powerful co-factors of HIV.
The general awareness of the
HIV epidemic that was seen
years ago has drifted into apathy.
Red ribbons used to be a
fashion statement. Now, a
new generation of young
people has come along with
no understanding of the
devastation that AIDS caused
the preceding generation.
Young people who are working
in the HIV field today are
not much older than the
epidemic itself.
It took an incredible outpouring
of humanity to reach
this point. The community of
donors and volunteers extended
their generosity and
compassion in ways and in a
magnitude that continues to
inspire us. An army of volunteers
at AIDS Services Foundation
and a loyal following
of donors allow ASF to continue
to provide the best and
most extensive array of services
for people living with HIV
anywhere in this county and
region. As caseloads continue
to grow and the complexity of
clients’ care brings additional
challenges, ASF is unparalleled
in providing a comprehensive
local
response to the
HIV epidemic.
Government
officials and
policymakers
played a crucial
role in providing funding for
HIV care in local communities,
especially here in Orange
County. The Ryan White CARE
Act provides $2 billion in federal
funding each year for care
and services across a variety of
programs. This funding is
intended to bring together
and extend local systems of
care and provide access for
those who are without private
healthcare or do not qualify
for other government funded
medical care. Now entering
its 15th year, the Ryan White
CARE Act is the cornerstone
of the federal government’s
response to HIV and AIDS,
providing care for more than
500,000 people each year
across the country and sending
more than $8 million
each year to Orange County.
This legislation expires on
September 30, 2005 and
must be reauthorized by
Congress in order to continue.
Other federal programs are
also vital to client care. The
Veterans’ Administration, for
example, is the largest single
provider of comprehensive
HIV/AIDS care in the United
States. Social Security and
Medicare programs take care
of disabled clients. Medicaid,
which is a federal-state health
plan for low income people,
covers 44% of people living
with HIV and covers the
health costs of up to 90% of
children with AIDS. HIV
prevention education is funded
by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC),
which spends more than
$600 million on HIV prevention
each year. The Housing
Opportunities for Persons With
AIDS (HOPWA) program provides
funding into local communities
for housing assistance
for people with HIV.
Over the years, HOPWA has
provided funding for Hagan
Place, Emmanuel House and
Casa Alegre, producing nearly
100 units of dedicated HIV
housing.
But there is considerably
more work to do.
In the thirty minutes that
most people spend each day
drinking coffee or reading the
continued on next page
To find out how to become
involved in ASF’s Public
Policy efforts, contact Tom
Peterson at 949/809 - 8764
or at TPeterson@ocasf.org.

Continued from previous page
paper, two people will become newly HIV infected in the Untied
States. One of these two will be under the age of 25. Prevention
remains the only sure way to stop the spread of this disease. We
must educate people about HIV and provide them with a competent,
real-world understanding of their reproductive health. We
must demand that government funding be maintained at levels that
are necessary to provide care for those in need. We must re-engage
the general awareness that HIV is a pernicious illness that continues
to destroy lives. We must involve young people in a dialogue
about responsible conduct and choices. We must keep alive the
memory of those we have lost.
And finally, we must be committed to progress, despite the discomfort
that goes along with an epidemic that has an extraordinary
capacity to multiply and adapt. In another five years, we will draw
the first decade of the 21st century to a close and will be approaching
30 years of the HIV epidemic. Whether the headlines will warn
of the mounting toll of the AIDS epidemic locally and around the
world or a will announce a reversal of this trend and true progress
in the fight against AIDS is up to us.
We have another five years to make a difference.
CALLING ON FRIENDS
Tom Peterson, ASF's Director of Public Policy (left) and Kay
Warren of Saddleback Church chat with Senator Bill Frist
about national issues that impact people living with HIV.
TURNING THE TABLES
ASF is very fortunate to sponsor a number of interns throughout the year from various local universities. Erica
Nicholson is a fourth year student at the University of California, Irvine who spent the fall quarter doing public
policy work as an intern with Tom Peterson. We decided to turn the tables and provide an opportunity for an
intern to ask the questions that a young person might be thinking about when discussing HIV and AIDS.
ERICA: You have been working at ASF for a long time and have been
involved in the HIV community for even longer. What has changed
the most and the least over the years?
TOM: Without a doubt, the client profile has changed the most.
Although the HIV epidemic in Orange County is still substantially an
epidemic of men who have sex with men, the epidemic has spread and
now impacts a broad cross section of this community, including women
and Latinos. Minorities are the fastest growing component of this epidemic,
locally and across the country. The dedication of ASF’s Board
and volunteers to the mission of this agency and the basic needs of people
living with HIV has not changed one bit over the years. And ASF’s
staff is the most extraordinary group of people doing this kind of work
anywhere. This combination provides a network of support and safety
net that makes a real difference in the everyday lives of our clients.
ERICA: HIV infections continue to increase everywhere and people
are continuing to place themselves needlessly at risk at a time when
everyone knows about safe sex. What do you think accounts for this?
TOM: This is one of the greatest frustrations of anyone working in HIV
prevention today. There may be many reasons, and some of them probably
compound each other. It is difficult to maintain a sense of crisis or
urgency for 24 years, and this provides a natural opening for fatigue and
complacency to set in. Also, many people have misunderstood the treatment
advances of the past 6 or 8 years and now incorrectly consider HIV
to be a chronic disease which is easily managed. HIV remains an acute
illness that is difficult to treat. In fact, the side-effects of most HIV treatment
regimens create a separate disease syndrome of their own. All of
this is complicated, and many people were so relieved that the mortality
rate finally began to drop in the late 1990s that they took a well-deserved
rest. We also had a loss of brainpower and talent to this epidemic from
the ranks of people who were working in the HIV prevention field themselves.
Those voids have been difficult to fill. And finally, we must
remember that the H in HIV stands for human. Changing patterns and
conduct is difficult and challenging. I still don’t understand why people
smoke and don’t wear seat belts. I agree with those who feel that prevention
should be our top priority, locally and across the country. This is the
best hope for stopping this epidemic in the near term.
ERICA: What is the role of elected officials and policy makers as we
look to 2005 and beyond in combating the spread of HIV and in
caring for people with HIV/AIDS?
TOM: Elected officials have a duty to lead the public discussion in the
direction of solutions and problem solving around the HIV epidemic.
They have an equal duty to provide for those in need and to address the
comprehensive needs of people with HIV, which today includes mental
health care, assistance with housing, caring for children and family
members, and help with the basic necessities of life. While a government
response may not be the entire answer, it is the nucleus around which an
organization like ASF can build a community wide response. ASF is a
great model of the public-private partnership that produces results and
delivers vital services. Despite the tight fiscal times we are currently facing,
we cannot expect sick or disabled people to bear the burden.
Government funding of HIV programs has been stagnant while the epidemic
grows at 5% to 15% each year. Medical and prescription costs
increase independent of the epidemic. I would call on elected officials
to fund HIV programs in local communities at levels that match the
growing epidemic. We need everyone to work together in 2005 for the
reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act, which is the cornerstone
of federal funding into local communities like Orange County. Above
all, elected officials and policy makers have an obligation to provide
funding for effective HIV prevention so that we can stop the loss of
another generation to the devastation of AIDS.
ERICA: Finally, what we can do to contribute to a solution to the
global AIDS pandemic?
TOM: I like to remind people that the international epidemic starts
right here and that the 1 million people in the United States with HIV
are part of the global pandemic. I would ask everyone to understand
that borders are artificial and oceans no longer separate continents and
people. I would urge everyone to recognize that the U.S. has an enormous
capacity to lead the world, both in providing funding in resource
poor settings and in setting the agenda for the dialogue about HIV and
AIDS. Most importantly, Americans can set an example for the world
about providing compassion and caring for people with HIV and AIDS
in the way that we care for one another.
THE VOICE MAR/APR 05 9

S8M8S
O
ne of AIDS Services Foundation’s outreach programs,
SOMOS, a Spanish word meaning “We Are”, continues
its commitment to Latino gay or bisexual men,
ages 18-25, by providing Spanish-language HIV and
substance abuse prevention programs in the Orange
County community. Through guest speakers, videos,
pamphlets, informal "charlas" (group discussion) and outreach
events, the members of SOMOS come together with
the common goal of helping to improve the lives and safety
of the young gay and bisexual Latino community.
On October 1st - 3rd, for an audience of 150 people,
seven SOMOS members showcased their original production
of “Volver a Nacer” (A Second Chance), a play presented
in Spanish and performed at the Centro Cultural de
Mexico in Santa Ana. Osvaldo Herasque, the plays writer
and director, worked in collaboration with SOMOS members
to create a production that portrayed the messages and
visions of the youth themselves. “Volver a Nacer” reflected
issues of importance in the young gay and bisexual
Latino community such as one’s sexuality, HIV and AIDS,
substance abuse, and cultural issues.
“The concept, a community outreach effort, was a way
to present a message of prevention”, said Jorge Castañeda,
ASF Health Educator (pictured above). “It was a creative
way for the community to hear about a new program that
may in turn benefit someone’s son, cousin, nephew,
neighbor, or friend. If the funding is sufficient enough to
cover the extensive production costs, we hope to do it
again next year”, said Castañeda. “It turned out to be a
very powerful tool of communication. We had offers
from The University of California Santa Barbara and
the Mexican Consulate to host additional performances.”
While serving as a form of entertainment for the audience,
the play’s primary function was to serve as a vehicle of
communication for the underlying cause. Using the
Spanish language to present topics that may otherwise be
uncomfortable for some to openly discuss, the SOMOS
production of “Volver a Nacer” succeeded in finding a
way to expose and educate the Latino community on the
realities of HIV/AIDS. q
CLIENT SURVEY RESULTS
Each year, ASF distributes a survey to its clients for the purpose of maintaining and improving the quality of care we provide. Because of our unwavering commitment
to the health and well being of our clients, ASF evaluates the feedback acquired from these surveys with the utmost consideration.
In 2004, 182 ASF clients answered the 31 question survey which resulted in an 80% increase in affirmative responses from 2003. ASF is proud to donate
83 cents of every dollar to client services, and the following results demonstrate the powerful effects of that contribution:
SURVEY STATEMENT
% Positive Response
Case Management has increased my access to medical and other needed services 81.5%
The food pantry and vouchers enabled me to have food I could not have otherwise obtained 87.0%
Health Education has helped me gain access to information and knowledge of HIV disease 91.0%
Housing information and guidance has increased my access to available housing programs 86.5%
Mental Health Services have helped me improve my quality of life 91.3%
Transportation services have increased my ability to get to medical and other support services 90.9%
Vitamart, ASF’s vitamin program, has enabled me to get vitamins & nutrients that I couldn’t have otherwise obtained 92.5%
ASF encourages each survey participant to not only respond to the pre-written statements but to include their own personal remarks and suggestions so that
we can try to modify our facilities and programs accordingly. From these comments, we were able to learn just how essential the food pantry is to our clients
and how our programs, such as Kids Club and Positive Life Force, have a powerful way of making a personalized and valuable impact on the lives of individuals
and families. We discovered how our organization can better serve our community in the future by developing new programs. Clients would like to see more
programs created for disabled persons as well as an increase in Outreach Prevention, especially in the Latino Community.
Overall, the client survey is an effective and valuable way for the staff of ASF to obtain vital information about the individuals we are assisting and how we
can better serve their needs and interests. ASF’s mission is to prevent the spread of HIV and improve the lives of men, women and children affected by
HIV/AIDS in Orange County. This survey helps us to support our mission by communicating with our clients directly, gathering essential information, and considering
new concepts so that we can in turn develop and improve our services.
10 THE VOICE MAR/APR 05

ecent events
Sin City made its way to Laguna Beach at AIDS
Services Foundation’s (ASF) “Lost Vegas”
event on Saturday, September 25, 2004.
500 guests helped raise $400,000 at
the Festival of Arts grounds in Laguna Beach. Co-chaired by Judy Fluor-
Runels, Ken Jillson and Jorge Rodriguez M.D., attendees were transported
to the “Lost Vegas” strip, complete with creative cocktails, crazy casino
action, and showgirls galore!
Thank you to all event attendees,
sponsors, and volunteers for
your support!
ASF’s 2004 Holiday Gift Basket program was again
a tremendous success due to the generosity and effort of
ASF supporters and volunteers. This holiday program provides
ASF clients with bountiful baskets of holiday goodies
and other useful, much needed items. The 600 baskets,
assembled and delivered by ASF volunteers, bring joy and
spirit to our clients during the holiday season. Without the
dedication of our wonderful volunteers this program would
not be possible. Under the leadership, guidance and handson
help of two of our exceptional volunteers, Shelly Virkstis
and Richard Johnson, the program could not run as smoothly
as it does. Shelly and Rich begin their process of organizing
and planning weeks in advance - their hours of devotion
led to this year’s flawless production process resulting in
record time for basket assembly!
The Sponsor A Bear program has also been
extraordinarily successful, bringing in over $9,000 this year. A
donation of $5.00 provided a plush teddy bear to each holiday
basket. In addition to the cute and cuddly bears, the money
raised from this program helped fund other program expenses
such as baskets, ribbons, bows, wrapping paper, shrink bags,
and other production items. Because of the generous donations
we received we were able to contribute extra items in
addition to those that were donated. Also this year, we were
fortunate to obtain in-kind donations from the following
companies and individuals: Au’some Candies, Inc., Barbara
Garvin, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Crown
Books, Disneyland Resort, Family First, Frito Lay, Galderma
Labs, Genisoy, Glaxo SmithKline, John Hirano, Jetram Sales,
Jillson-Roberts, Jitterbugs Toys, MAC AIDS Fund, Robert
Marger, Robert Mlodzik, David Merino, Alan Miller and Mark
Guillod, NCL, Niagra Water, James Rust, Starbucks, Stash
Tea, Anita Weiss, Wolfgang Puck, and Wrigley.
THANK YOU!! to each and every person for your kindness
in participating and giving to this program. We sincerely
appreciate your support.
THANK YOU!! to all of the volunteers: iindividuals,
groups, staff and board members who donated their time to
this fun and worthy project.
It should be noted that due to budget constraints, this year’s Holiday Gift
Baskets and Sponsor A Bear programs relied strictly on in-kind and
monetary donations.
THE VOICE MAR/APR 05 11

ecent events
Friends of ASF celebrated
the hope of the season at
the annual Mark’s
Holiday Party.
Attendees came together
to support our Food
Pantry, a facility our
clients strongly rely
on during the
holiday season.
Your contributions,
totalling almost
$10,000, helped
to provide
food and spirit
to the men,
women,
families,
and
children
of
ASF.
ASF thanks all of those who supported us throughout
the year. Shown here from left to right are: Larry
Tenney, Bill Attaway and friend at a recent Patron’s
Council event.
DID YOU KNOW?
Experts believe that there are
moe than 1,200 people in Orange
County who are HIV positive and
are unaware of their status.
Latinos comprise 32% of
Orange County’s population,
yet account for 46%
of AIDS cases in 2003.
Women comprised
15% of Orange
County AIDS cases
in 2003, up from
8% of cases
reported prior
to 1998.
12 THE VOICE MAR/APR 05

ASF offers its heartfelt thanks to the following donors
who are part of ASF’s new major donor program.
patron’s council
PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE
$50,000+
Mark and Donna Merhab
Jim and Linda Loomis
EXECUTIVE CIRCLE
$25,000 - $49,999
Ron and Santina Davies
AMBASSADOR’S CIRCLE
$10,000 - $24,999
Bob Crowder
DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE
$5,000 - $9,999
Craig Benedetti and Alex Acosta
Jerry and Laura Bieser
Marilyn C. Brewer
Rich Fiock
Anthony Glenn and Bill Seay
Roger and Janice Johnson
Marcos Pacheco
David Pennington
DELEGATE’S CIRCLE
$2,500 - $4,999
Pam Bobit
Jacques Camus
Richard and Britney Weil
ADVOCATE’S CIRCLE
$1,200 - $2,499
Wylie and Bette Aitken
Gene Allsup
Richard Anderson
and Alex Wentzel
Mike Barry
Jeff Benedick and
Duane Vajgrt, MD
Frank Bianchini &
Joseph Ramondetta
Paul Blank and Francois Leclair
James Bohm
Robert A. Boyd
Mike Bucaro
Tim Byron, MD & Verneda Byro
Douglas Cable, MD
David Canzoneri and
Eric Cortina
Paul and Cathy Cimoch
John Combs & Sheldon Harte
Bill Deland and Mark Fleming
Dona Dixon and
Marilyn Blackwood
Karen Ellis and Sandra Hartness
Brad Engelland and Jon Stordahl
Hung Fan and Michael Feldman
Jerry Finster
Armando Flores
Leonardo Flores
Dick Runels & Judy Fluor-Runels
Harold Foley & John Anguiano
Steve Francis
Steve Frost and Gary Castaneda
Gerald Giannini & Ralph Wilson
Mark Guillod and Alan Miller
Bob Haskell
Robert Hayden
Debora Hintz
Arnold Henson, MD and
Theresa Siaca
Joe Hodulik
Daniel Hovenstein
Ramy Jarallah & Michael Garrit
Pearl Jemison-Smith and
Burton Smith, MD
Dale Jenkins
Kenny Jervis
Nathan Jurczyk
Karla Kjellin-Elder and
Jeff Elder
Alex Kochnuk
Elliott Kornhauser, MD and
Joe Baker, DMD
Barry and Jan Kuppermann
Charlie Lapple & Cameron Pearce
Elliott Leonard & Roger Lit
Tom Livermore and
Scott Shadrick
Maria I. Marquez
Henry McCanless and
Mark Coolidge
Judy O’Dea Morr
Bob Parisi
Pat Powers
Mark Puente
Christopher M. Quilter
George Raab
Chuck Rainey
Tom Ray
Frank Ricchiazzi and
Borden Moller
Al Roberts and Ken Jillson
Jorge Rodriguez, MD and
Ed Olen
Ty Rose
Judith Rosenthal &
Georgia Garrett-Norris
Mario Ruiz
Robin Rutherford
Scott Sackin and Philip Talbert
Steven Saucer & Charles Brickell
David W. Schaar
Max Schneider, MD and
Ron Smelt
Frank J. Schools
Rick Silver
Calvin Smith
Sindee Smolowitz & Peggy Eaton
Dwight Spiers and Gordon Cowan
Jeff Stuckhardt and Bill Lawrence
Jay Tassin and Brent Danninger
Larry Tenney
Bill Thomas and Luca Cecchi
Chuck Walworth MD and
Jud Slusser
Alan Witchey and Paul Sigmund
On Thursday October 14th 2004, Dwight
Spiers and Gordon Cowan generously donated
their home and hosted a fabulous Patron’s
Council event. An evening under the stars,
with food and drink provided by Mark’s
Catering, served as a way for ASF to show
appreciation to those who contribute year
round to our cause. We gratefully acknowledge
the follow Patron’s Council members
who graciously underwrote the event: Juan
Chacon, Dan Haspert M.D. & Gerard Curtin,
Robert Hayden III, Janice & Roger Johnson,
Mark Porterfield, Steven Saucer & Charles
Brickell, Patti Tucker & Julie Ferrin. A warm
thank you also goes out to those who attended
the event and to the members of Patron’s
Council, a group who continues to display
their leadership and commitment to ASF.
For more information on ASF’s Patron’s
Council, please contact Ty Rose at
949.809.8762 or trose@ocasf.org.
Jeff Benedick, Jeff Stuckhardt, Bill
Lawrence and Dwayne Vajgrt, MD
Dwight Spiers and Gordon Cowan
Mark Porterfield, Al Roberts, Juan
Chacon and Michael Feldman
THE VOICE MAR/APR 05 13

in memoriam
by ROBIN HINCH
The Orange County Register
AIDS advocate was tireless
Denise Lavigne, ASF client and Board Member, charmed her clients, colleagues and tout le monde.
To some, Denise Lavigne was the cute little French girl who
sold T-shirts at the Orange County Swap Meet each week.
To others, she was a force to be reckoned with when the needs
of people with HIV or AIDS were at stake.
In either role, she touched the people
she met - with her charm, her pronounced
French accent, her warm and
welcoming smile and her refusal to back
down when she believed—knew—she
was right.
Some people were aware she had
AIDS. Many others probably were not.
She spent the last 15 years volunteering
for AIDS Services Foundation
Orange County to fight for rights,
services and understanding for people
with HIV/AIDS.
She was 51 when she died of a heart
attack while visiting family in Paris.
Denise knew the medication she was
taking to fight the disease could lead to
heart trouble. But she was willing to
take the risk. It helped keep her going
as the disease progressed, and better a
heart attack, she thought, than the
painful, prolonged final stage of AIDS
she’d seen others endure.
She had no idea how she’d contracted
the virus. Perhaps through blood
transfusions she’d had in the past. She
received the diagnosis in1989 when
she had blood tests required for obtaining
a U.S. “green card.”
Denise was born in Saigon and grew
up in Paris and Marseille. She met her
husband, Philip Saleh, while vacationing
in Africa. Philip was a bush pilot
there and her brother was his best
friend. They returned to Paris, had a
daughter, and then moved to
California in 1985 with two suitcases,
$2,000 and a baby.
That baby, Emilie, is now a junior at
UC Berkeley.
Philip and Denise married in 1987. They lived first in
Huntington Beach, and then four years ago bought their first
Denise Lavigne
Friends and family joined together
for a memorial service and celebration
of Denise’s life on February 26, 2005
at the Costa Mesa Neighborhood
Community Center.
ASF is accepting donations in
honor of Denise’s memory, spirit
and smile. In addition, ASF is
setting up an educational fund to
help Denise’s daughter, Emilie,
finish her college education.
Donations can be made payable
to ASF and are encouraged to be
designated towards Emilie’s
educational fund.
house in Costa Mesa.
Denise worked as a waitress in a French restaurant, then she
and Philip started a T-shirt business, selling sports-themed
shirts at the Orange County Swap Meet. The company’s
name—Titi (pronounced tee-tee) de
Paris—is a slang term for people born
and raised in Paris.
Beyond the T-shirt business, they also
branched out into selling tablecloths from
Provence, the region of southern France.
Denise was a fixture at the swap meet and
loved the camaraderie with other vendors.
In addition, she devoted many
hours, without pay, to ASF, evaluating
and making recommendations about the
organization’s programs, interviewing
clients to determine their needs, then
taking those requests to the committees
in charge.
Denise was a dynamic advocate, full of
life and full of energy and passion for what
she was doing. It became her mission.
She wanted to improve the community
for people with HIV/AIDS and didn’t
care if hers wasn’t the most popular
stance on an issue.
And she didn’t mince words or shy
away from controversy. There was no
doubt how Denise felt about matters.
At the same time, she was always loving,
never spiteful or angry. “You know,”
she’d say, “it’s OK if we don’t agree on
this. I just need you to know where
clients are coming from.”
She rarely complained about her illness,
even though she suffered discomfort
in the last year. Mostly, she was
grateful that her husband and daughter
tested negative for the virus.
And she loved her little house. She
decorated it with care and love, and filled
the garden with plants and flowers.
She was so happy in California, she said
she didn’t miss France, and the trip earlier
this month was for a big trade show in Paris. She died in
her sleep the night before she was to return to Costa Mesa.
14 THE VOICE MAR/APR 05

August 1 - November 18, 2004
memorials & tributes
IN MEMORY OF JEFF ABRAMOWITZ
Abraham Abramowitz & Lila Abramowitz
IN MEMORY OF DORIS BOYD
Linda Leahy
Charles Lennon
IN MEMORY OF DINO GOMEZ
Arthur Gomez & Ruby Gomez
IN MEMORY OF CLAUDETTE
GRAVELL
Marina Ball
Walter Coe & Linda Coe
David Dobos & Margaret Dobos
Judy Ferguson
G Ivie
Dale Jenkins
Mark Katz
Hrag Marganian & C. Amerkhanian
Marganian
Sharon Matthews
David Medcalf & Terry Medcalf
Joel Miller & Mark Schroepfer
Shiba Nabipur
Lisa Reig
Diane Reiman
William Scannell
Jim Shea & Linda Shea
Jeanne Sisneros
Jeanmarie Smith
William Towner
Judith White
IN MEMORY OF PETER KNOWLTON
Jacques Camus
IN MEMORY OF JERRY LEVREAU
Eunice Mersereau
IN MEMORY OF JIM PALMER
Gregory and Kathleen Abel
Demetrios Athanasios
Gregg Barnette and Bill Harris
Mr. John Benecke
Berg Insurance Agency
Paola and Richard Bisson
Dominic Bosco, MD and Jack Reising
Cindy Boyd-Young
Shirley Bradshaw
Louise Callus and Brandon Krechel
Craig and Lecia Davis
Joy E. Dittberner
Dan and Jana D’Orazio
Ed & Sue Eubanks
Suzanne and Rod Fisher
Margaret A. Fleming
Sue Freeman and John Hance
Cathleen Greiner and Debra Conkey
Tim Haskell and Soirée Catering
Jim and Susie Jaqua Fund
The Kahn Family
Doris Kirst, Lucille Maher, The Rynes,
The Faltermans
Gerald and Paula Lingelbach
Bill and Romy McFarland
Moms Club
Hank Morgan
Kevin Mundt and David Thomas
Chuck and Sukeshi O'Neal & Family
Mark Porterfield and Steve Chadima
Al Roberts and Ken Jillson
Verna Rollinger
Anita May Rosenstein
Rick Silver
Carolyn Skenderian
Rich and Gail Squar
Judith Upton
Duane Vajgrt, MD and Jeff Benedick
M. Todd Williams
Chris & Scott Woodburn and
Johnny Flannagan
IN MEMORY OF
KYLE LUDEN & BOB SANBORN
Monty Luden & Shirley Luden
IN MEMORY OF JOHN THRASH
Dominic Bosco & Jack Reising
Paul Hengstebeck & Ulla Hengstebeck
Mark Knight & Jane Knight
Al Roberts & Ken Jillson
Henry Sutton
Ellen Woods-Hagan
IN MEMORY OF
DORIS THURSTON BOYD
American Wind Energy
IN MEMORY OF DR. FRANK WASKO
Joe Matthews
IN MEMORY OF KATHARINE WILM
Betsy Claster
On October 11, 2004 Laguna
Beach lost one of its most endearing
and charming residents.
John Thrash, a familiar figure
in his signature hats and colorful
costumes, was one of the early
owners of the Laguna Health
Club and one of the first residents
of Hagan Place. For those that
knew him well, John was recognized for his colorful window
displays, especially during the holidays, his unique greeting
cards and his annual caroling escapades with Big Bird!
His lively, loving and creative presence will be missed by
all of his friends and family members who recognized and
appreciated his generous spirit.
A dear friend of ASF,
Claudette Gravell, RNP,
passed away on September 18,
2004. Claudette, who was only
51 years of age, was a unique
person who touched the lives of
countless individuals in a very
positive way. As a Nurse
Practitioner for Kaiser, she
worked in the infectious disease area treating and supporting
many clients of ASF. She was also an active member of the
Southern California Kaiser Permanente Nursing Research
Committee helping to shape the work of the group throughout
the years.
Randee Marlin, a Nurse Case Manager at ASF described
Claudette as a wonderful, caring, loving individual. “She
was extremely dedicated to her HIV patients at Kaiser,” said
Marlin, “she was a wonderful advocate for each one of
them. I only had the strongest feelings of admiration for her
and I for one have already greatly missed her.”
From others whose lives that she touched—
”Claudette made being HIV positive a tolerable thing for me…I learned how to live
again with her support and care.”
“The doctors at Kaiser tended to my broken body, but Claudette tended to the repair and
nurturing of my soul.”
In Memory of Jim Palmer, loving
partner of John O’Neil and
long time supporter of ASF.
Friends and family joined together
at a memorial held at their home
on January 13th, 2005.
At their request, in lieu of flowers,
donations were directed to ASF.
THE VOICE MAR/APR 05 15

SPECIAL
THANK YOU’S
ASF would like to thank Jonathan Blitz and the Wells Fargo “Community Partners Program” for their
charitable donation of $1,000 to ASF. Jonathan Blitz, who has donated his time and services to AIDS
Walk Orange County for many years was generous enough to extend his professional relationship with
Wells Fargo to ASF. As a result of his efforts, ASF was fortunate to be the recipient of this most significant
and beneficial contribution.
ASF thanks Senator Joe Dunn and the Southern California Water
Company for the donation of 20 turkeys for our clients during the
Thanksgiving holiday.
ASF would also like to thank Mark and Donna Merhab for their
generous donation of 50 turkeys to our food pantry which helped
bring joy to our clients on Thanksgiving.
ASF would like to
wish a Happy 80th
to Bobbie Smith,
son of Bob Metcalfe,
from Al Roberts, Ken
Jillson, Dwight Spiers,
and Gordon Cowan
Happy Birthday to our
friend Joe Hodulik.
Thank you for all that
you do in support
of ASF.
On Sunday, November 14, the newly renovated
Joshua Christopher Salon in
Fullerton, CA organized and hosted “Cut
for a Cure.” For a $20 donation to ASF, customers
were invited to receive a high-end
salon haircut, listen to music from live DJ’s,
and enjoy complimentary refreshments.
“Cut for a Cure” raised $6,000 for ASF, an
amount that surpassed the projected goal by
$1,000! ASF would like to give praise and
appreciation to the Joshua Christopher
Salon, its owner, Josh Nuñez, to the dedicated
staff, and to all of the supporters for
their immeasurable generosity.
The Joshua Christopher Salon is located at
333 Imperial Highway in Fullerton, CA.
For information on ASF or any
of its services, please call (949)
809-5700, or visit us online at
www.ocasf.org.
17982 Sky Park Circle Suite J
Irvine, CA 92614
Non-profit
US Postage
PAID
Permit No. 392
Santa Ana, CA