The AIDS Council of Northeastern New York’s Summer 2008 Newsletter The Connection is now available. It is published in both electronic and hardcopy formats. To receive in the mail, please fill out the electronic registration below or call 518.434.4686. AIDS Council publications are also available at our regional offices in Albany, Glens Falls, Hudson, Plattsburgh, Schenectady and Troy.

In this issue:
-Hudson Office Open House and Dedication
-Schenectady Teen Photo-Vision Project
-Dining Out For Life Highlights
-New AIDS Council Board Members Elected
-Capital Pride 2008 and Capital Region “Take the Test” Week
-Join Our Team for AIDSWalk 2008
-ROOTS Recognition
-18th Annual Benefit in Saratoga Preview

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On Friday, July 18th the AIDS Council helped kick off the 2nd Annual Capital to Capital bike ride. The cycling team took a three-day journey from Albany, New York to Boston, Massachusetts to raise HIV/AIDS awareness.

The Safe Haven Project riders were joined by the Albany Mayor’s office and the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York for a press conference and police escort sendoff. Michele McClave, Executive Director of the AIDS Council, talked about the local HIV/AIDS epidemic and how the fight continues.

According to the largest study of cancer incidence trends in the United States, the cancer rates in HIV-positive individuals increased dramatically over time. Those living with HIV have a sixty-times higher cancer rate compared with the general population for certain cancers. Incidence rates are expected to increase even higher as those infected with HIV are living longer.

The study identified nine non-AIDS defining cancers that are significantly more likely to be diagnosed in HIV-positive individuals than in the general population. These cancers were: anal cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, liver cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, oropharyngeal (mouth and throat) cancer, renal (kidney) and colorectal cancer.

It is important for individuals living with HIV to screen for cancer as part of their health regimen to help early detection and treatment.

Incidence of types of cancer among HIV-infected persons compared with the general population in the United States, 1992-2003. Annals of Internal Medicine 148 (10; 728-736, 2008.

The AIDS Council of Northeastern New York is proud to announce four new members elected to its Board of Directors. They will serve a three year term and will support the AIDS Council in its mission to raise critical funds and awareness for HIV prevention programs and essential services to those living with HIV/AIDS throughout the region.

Tom Carty
Former Director of Administration and Finance for New York City PR firm, Porter/Novelli. Tom is Chair of the Town of Hillsdale Steering Committee. Tom has been living with HIV for more than twenty years. This is Tom’s third term on the AIDS Council’s Board of Directors.

Mark Duffy
Press Officer, NYS Assembly. Mark has also held marketing positions at Media Logic and Sawchuk Brown Associates. He received his MBA from the College of Saint Rose.

Robert Montgomery
Director of the David G. Whitcomb Foundation which supports young classical musicians. Before moving to Columbia County full-time in 2000, Robert retired from a 32-year career teaching English as a Second Language. He holds a BA from the University of Kansas and an MA from Teachers College, Columbia University. Robert also serves on the Board of Directors of the Hudson Valley Chamber Music Society.

Nicole Stein
Director of Marketing, SEFCU. Nicole has a variety of marketing experience including positions at Media Logic, Howard Schaffer, Scanlan Communications Group and Albany Jewish Community Center. Nicole serves on the board of the Capital Region Chapter of the American Marketing Association and has served in volunteer capacities for non-profits including the AIDS Council, the American Red Cross, Clearview Center and the Department of Hotel, Culinary Arts and Tourism at SCCC.