AIDS Council to be featured on Extreme Makeover Home Edition Season Finale
ALBANY - May 16, 2007 - HIV/AIDS is not a subject most people like to talk about. Now that more people are living with AIDS rather than dying from it, many think it’s no longer a concern. So when Extreme Makeover Home Edition came to town to build a house for the Oatman – Gaitan family, who are dealing with HIV, the AIDS Council was more than happy for the opportunity to speak about these issues. Michele McClave, Executive Director of the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York, contacted the producer of EMHE to encourage her to use the episode to raise awareness, and offered to be a resource for accurate information about the disease. The welcome result was an interview with Eduardo Xol, one of the show’s designers, which is hoped to be included in the two hour season finale to be shown on WTEN (CBS) at 7pm on May 20th. In the interview McClave and Xol agreed that social consciousness regarding HIV/AIDS continues to lag far behind that which could eradicate this disease and spoke about the need that still exists. The producer also invited the AIDS Council to set up an information booth with literature about HIV/AIDS at the build site for the benefit of the huge crowd of spectators. A link from the show’s webpage “A Better Community” (www.abc.go.com/abettercommunity/outreach.html) will encourage people to visit the AIDS Council website, and contribute. “There is still a lot of stigma attached to this disease, but it needs to stay on the radar screen.” states Ms. McClave, Executive Director of the AIDS Council. “With 50% of all newly infected people being under 25 years of age, it’s imperative that we increase awareness. With community support, we can help those afflicted with this disease to lead independent, productive lives. Through education, we can look to a future where new cases decrease, and ultimately cease. We are very grateful to Extreme Makeover Home Edition for shining a heartfelt light on this important issue, and sharing it with the world. More understanding and compassion will encourage more funding, and through more funding, we can provide additional services.”
The AIDS Council puts a lot of effort into educating young people and those considered to be most at risk for spreading the disease. Youth programs include such things as developing an informative but fun interactive website to spread AIDS awareness, and a peer counseling program. They also have a program for transitional services in which they work with those preparing for release from prison to make safe, healthy decisions. For those who have already contracted the disease, they offer everything from case management, to emergency housing assistance and rides to the doctor, with the primary objective to provide them with the tools to be self sufficient. Arthur, a client of the AIDS Council expressed his gratitude to the AIDS Council recently, saying “The emotional, spiritual and life management help you give to me are the most important. Just to get me connected with the medical team after all of my disastrous experiences is the greatest of services. Your gentle support is a blessing.”