FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFrom: Martinez, Eduardo [Eduardo.Martinez@asm.ca.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2007 2:48 PM
Subject: ASSEMBLYMEMBER PORTANTINO AND CITY OF HOPE HOST HIV/AIDS ACTION SUMMIT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Julianne Hines

December 5, 2007 (626) 577-9944

 

ASSEMBLYMEMBER PORTANTINO AND CITY OF HOPE HOST

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY HIV/AIDS ACTION SUMMIT

Event calls for renewed attention and resources to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic

 

Duarte, CA - Assemblymember Anthony Portantino and City of Hope hosted an HIV/AIDS Action Summit today at the City of Hope campus in Duarte. The summit, themed Progress & Opportunity, identified tools for local communities, governments and organizations to educate and mobilize to fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS. Coinciding with World AIDS Day on December 1st, the summit focused on the impact of HIV/AIDS on communities of color, increasing public awareness on the latest treatments, and the role faith-based community groups can play to combat the epidemic.

 

“While we should be proud that huge strides have been made in treatments for the disease, HIV/AIDS still remains one of the biggest challenges we have ever encountered,” said Portantino. “It is critical that we keep this public health issue front in center and give our communities the resources and knowledge they need to continue fighting for prevention and a cure. Now is not the time to let our guard down.”

 

The program featured two esteemed panel of experts, including Dr. Alexandra Levine, Chief Medical Officer at City of Hope and former Chair of the Research Committee for President Clinton’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. Dr. Levine provided a comprehensive update on the current state of the epidemic.

 

The first panel focused on the history of the epidemic and included updates on the latest research being done locally to treat the disease. Dr. Michael Gottlieb, whose report in 1981 became the official start date of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Dr. John Rossi and Dr. John Zaia, who are experts in HIV/AIDS clinical treatment and research fields contributed their insight to the panel.

 

The second panel focused on community service and advocacy, which educated attendees on what efforts are available locally and regionally in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Yvonne Benson, MSW, Executive Director of AIDS Service Center Pasadena, Cesar Portillo, Vice President of Strategic Development at BIENESTAR and Tony Wafford, Chair, America’s Working Group for HIV Prevention Network offered their thoughts on the second panel.

 

The program closed with a discussion to generate input on future action items needed. Attendees participated in establishing goals for future action in advocacy, education, treatment and research. Resource tables were hosted by local and regional agencies.

 

Assemblymember Anthony Portantino was elected to serve the 44th Assembly District in November of 2006. The district encompasses Altadena, Duarte, La Canada Flintridge, Pasadena, South Pasadena and Temple City. It also includes portions of Arcadia, Monrovia, Mayflower Village and the Northeast Los Angeles neighborhoods of Glassell Park, Hermon, Highland Park, Mount Washington and Eagle Rock.

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