Starting at noon central time Thursday, there is $15,000 in donations to be matched for the Hill Country Ride for AIDS. Meaning: AIDS agencies in the Austin area can (will?) get $30,000 donated in just one day!  Please donate at my HCRA page. Here is information from the Ride about where those dollars go:

Why is the Hill Country Ride for AIDS So Important?

Thanks to our amazing riders, volunteer crew, donors, and sponsors, the Hill Country Ride for AIDS has raised more than $8.5 million since the inaugural year of 1999. You should be so proud!

Below are just some of the many services your DONATION dollars do for thousands in our Central Texas community.

LOOK AT THE POWER OF EVERY DOLLAR!

$35

• Covers one rapid HIV test – we know that 40% of people who are HIV+ don’t know it yet. Through testing, we can get them into life saving care, and further reduce the spread of the HIV virus.
• Food voucher for emergency needs – many of those living with HIV are also living in poverty, and can’t afford their medication and nutritious food. This makes sure they get the food they need.
• Medical co-payment for one patient – keeping people in consistent medical care keeps them healthy and connected to services. We know this saves lives.

$60

• Buys someone nutritious food for one month – A month of nutritious food allows someone living with HIV to focus on staying healthy without worrying about the basic need of having enough to eat.
• Pays for a one month’s supply of medical prescription co-pays – Medications can reduce the HIV virus so much that it keeps someone healthy and also reduces the risk of passing it along.
• Provides a counseling and support group session for someone newly diagnosed – We know that many feel isolated when first diagnosed, and that staying social and connected gets people into care earlier, allowing them to stay healthy.

$120

• Provides prevention education for 440 people – 20% of Americans still believe you can catch HIV from drinking after someone. 60% say they are unsure what safe sex is. Education is one of the most important tools in reducing new infections.
• Pays for a specialty medical appointment – Many people with HIV/AIDS have unique medical complications. It’s good to know a specialty medical professional can help them out.
• Provides life skills training – This helps people who are well to learn to present themselves in a job interview, find housing, learn to read, gain computer training, learn nutrition, and discover their self esteem.

$250

• Keeps someone healthy with one month of medications – Medications can reduce the HIV virus so much that it keeps someone healthy and also reduces the risk of passing it along.
• Provides 7 hours of outreach to find people and get them into care – If you are homeless or unemployed, your HIV may not be at the top of list of your priorities. By finding people and making sure they get the care they need, lives are saved.
• Provides 3 family counseling sessions – It can be devastating for a family when a member is diagnosed, and we know that an intact family unit promotes health and provides a built in support network.

$500

• Pays for a month of rent for one family in supportive housing – Assistance with food, daily chores, trips to medical appointments, and social support create a foundation for continued health and a step toward independence.

$1,000

• Gives 450 home cooked meals for hospice patients – When in hospice, there are often unique food needs. You can make sure that final days are spent with favorite, delicious meals that don’t upset someone’s stomach.
• Pays for an outpatient procedure for an uninsured client – many with HIV/AIDS do not have insurance. You can cover the expenses related to a needed procedure.
• Provides four months of medication – Medications can reduce the HIV virus so much that it keeps someone healthy and also reduces the risk of passing it along.

Every dollar counts double from noon central time till the match is met. So please — even if you can just donate $5; it’ll become $10 so that’s great.  Let’s use up all the money the match has & get lots of people help! Or as my boys would put it,  write a world where we can belong to each other, and sing it like no other — love is bigger than anything in its way.

Again, here’s my link for the Hill Country Ride for AIDS, please donate & help people with HIV & AIDS in the Austin area.

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