HIV/AIDS Speakers’ Bureau seeks help

Forty million.

That’s the number of people infected with HIV worldwide.

59.

That’s the number of pills Spokane resident Jim Breedlove takes each day to control the symptoms of AIDS.

$1.68.

That’s the amount of money the Spokane Regional HIV/AIDS Speakers’ Bureau has in its account to spread the word about prevention.

“It costs money for state and city business licenses” and other expenses, Breedlove said. “That’s been coming out of board members’ pockets.”

The bureau provides talks to schools, drug rehabilitation groups and other organizations to raise awareness and stop the spread of AIDS. It also trains health professionals on how to work with patients. The 18 speakers involved with the bureau either are infected with HIV or have, or had, a loved one with it.

Breedlove took over the effort last year, when funding for the Spokane Regional Health District’s bureau was cut. The new group recently earned nonprofit status, and is now applying for grants and seeking donations to ensure that the mission will continue.

“I want to keep it going,” he said. “I need to keep it alive.”

Breedlove said HIV/AIDS speakers bureaus were well supported in the late-1980s through the mid-1990s when awareness of the disease was on the rise. But funding for such groups has dwindled. Seattle only has one speakers’ bureau and Idaho has none, he said.

That’s why the Spokane bureau travels to Idaho and rural parts of eastern Washington to share its message. It charges its hosts $25 to $50 to pay speakers an honorarium, but Breedlove hopes that, with fund raising, it can one day offer its service for free.

“A lot of possible venues can’t afford that honorarium,” he said.

And it’s more important than ever to prevent the disease. The group contracting HIV the fastest today are females age 13 to 24, and a growing complacency about HIV/AIDS has lead to more risky behavior among some groups.

Breedlove recalled a young gay man telling him recently that he’d “just take the medicine” if he became infected. That’s why Breedlove sometimes sets out all his pills, so audiences understand AIDS’ daily impact.

The speakers’ bureau also aims to dispel misconceptions that still linger. The most common misunderstandings are that HIV/AIDS is a gay disease and that women can’t get it, Breedlove said. He also notices that people in rural areas view HIV/AIDS as a “city” disease that doesn’t affect them.

One advantage of the speakers’ bureau no longer being attached to the health district is that the group can reach people in outlying areas – from Omak, Wash., to Plummer, Idaho – to tell them that AIDS knows no boundaries.

But the downfall of becoming independent is that the group no longer receives $10,000 a year for programming, brochures and other expenses. The district allows the bureau to meet in its building and its former director sits on the new board, but Breedlove is seeking funds to maintain and expand the offerings. An individual recently donated a truck which the bureau will sell to raise money.

Breedlove was diagnosed in 1984 at age 34. The former English instructor said he feels well now, but in the last year both his hips were replaced after AIDS destroyed the bones in his pelvis. After the two surgeries, Breedlove abandoned the cane, walker and wheelchair he’d been using.

“I went whitewater rafting this summer,” he said, beaming.

Breedlove said the bureau has a higher calling than simply sharing stories like his, though.

“It is a way to prevent people from being infected,” he said. “More knowledge and awareness means fewer cases.”

To donate or learn more, contact Breedlove at (509) 455-8495 or P.O. Box 8758, Spokane, WA 99203-8758.

AIDS vigil Thursday

World AIDS Day is Thursday and the Spokane AIDS Network will commemorate it with a candlelight vigil at 5:30 p.m. at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. This year’s theme is “Stop AIDS! Keep the promise!” – the promise to continue education and awareness on the disease, to treat people with respect and dignity, to remember those who lost the battle and to continue to fight for those living with HIV or AIDS.

Speakers at the vigil include Joyce Cameron, of the museum, Spokane City Council President Dennis Hession, Elaine Engle of the Spokane Regional Health District, Susan Fabrikant of the AIDS Network and people infected with the disease.

For information, call the network at (509) 455-8993.

Policyholders due money

Do you have health insurance through MEGA Life and Health Insurance Co. of Oklahoma? If you’re one of 10,000 people in Washington who do, the company might owe you money.

The Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s Consumer Protection division found an error in documents MEGA mailed out between Oct. 4, 2000, to May 19, 2003. The paperwork said policyholders had no coverage limit for doctor visits, but the company’s ads and brochures said there was a $60 cap.

Consumers who paid more than they should have for care will be eligible to have claims reprocessed. If that’s you, call MEGA’s Claims Customer Service Department at (800) 527-2845.

Any insurance consumer who feels they’ve been wronged is encouraged to call the Insurance Commissioner’s hotline at (800) 562-6900.

“Our Consumer Protection division investigates thousands of complaints a year and has recovered more than $8 million for consumers just this year,” Commissioner Mike Kreidler said in a release.

Air stagnation affecting health

Before roasting chestnuts on an open fire, consider this: Washington has been under a National Weather Service air stagnation advisory in recent weeks.

Fireplace, wood stove and outdoor burning adds pollution to the air, as does driving. The still air traps the pollutants near the ground causing eye and respiratory tract irritation. Infants, young children, the elderly, pregnant women, smokers and people with lung and heart conditions are more prone to problems, according to the Washington state Department of Health.

People who start to wheeze, have shortness of breath, chest pain, pain in the left arm or jaw, overwhelming fatigue or a rapid heart beat should contact their doctors or 911 if their physician can’t be reached.

To help keep complications to a minimum for the community, combine your driving trips, carpool and flip the television to the fireplace channel instead of burning any actual logs.

Nursing students offer free fliers

Ever walk away from a doctor’s visit and forget half the information she just said?

Gonzaga University’s graduate nursing students are offering a way to combat that.

They’ve created brochures on various health topics that doctors, nurses, physician assistants and others can download and print for free. Each brochure – on topics such as diabetes, breastfeeding, attention deficit and more – was researched and written by a student and validated by nursing department faculty.

Visit www.gonzaga.edu/NursingWebEd to print the brochures or call (509) 323-3575 for information.