Karens SC-c2ea Blog

Returning from the 2006 South Carolina HIV/STD Conference (where we obtained additional signatures on AIDSVote petitions and plugged C2EA at every opportunity), South Carolina Campaign to End AIDS (SC-c2ea) members are busy readying for a final push before election day. SC-c2ea has gathered together stacks of AIDSVote petitions, particularly focusing on the state races for Governor and US House. Petitions are to be delivered continuously from now until election day to the candidates' campaign headquarters. Additionally, all South Carolina candidates for US House were sent Congressional Questionnaires several weeks ago and follow-up is now underway, with answers to the completed questionnaires to be disseminated as widely as possible to help interested South Carolina voters learn where their candidates stand on AIDS issues. SC-c2ea is also involved with other advocacy initiatives. Some SC-c2ea members are busy sending letters to their elected officials in Washington, urging passage of a fully-funded Ryan White CARE Act. SC-c2ea members hold seats on the newly-formed South Carolina HIV/AIDS Care Crisis Task Force, designed to be a coalition of partners all working to urge the South Carolina General Assembly to appropriate more money for HIV/AIDS treatment and care. SC-c2ea members are committed to pursuing all avenues to help bring about an end to the state's waiting list for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), with South Carolina currently having the largest waiting list in the country for individuals to receive life-saving medications. SC-c2ea members are also actively seeking positions on the state's HIV Planning Council and hope to have representation at NAPWA's "Staying Alive" Conference in December in New Orleans. SC-c2ea plans to continue to be a voice for all people living with HIV/AIDS in the state of South Carolina. Karen Bates South Carolina Campaign to End AIDS (SC-c2ea) Vice-ChairNational Campaign to End AIDS (C2EA) Outreach Work Group Co-ChairColumbia, SC 29210-6009Phone: 803-750-5259Email: scaplwa@aol.comwww.campaigntoendaids.org/southcarolina or www.c2ea.org/scAIDS isn't over until it's over for everyone. AIDSVote! www.aidsvote.com Please visit the AIDSVote blog and Karens SC-c2ea Blog.