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NONPROFIT FIGHTING EPIDEMIC AT GRASSROOTS LEVEL
On the heels of a report released last month showing the AIDS epidemic in South Carolina rising at astronomical rates while funding continued to lack behind most other states, CNN came to Columbia to profile the efforts of one local nonprofit.
“It was killing people, and I wanted to do something about it.”
That realization about the AIDS crisis propelled Bambi Gaddist into activism in South Carolina more than 20 years ago, and she’s been relentless in her fight to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS there ever since.
One of the most effective tools in her arsenal? A large white RV.
With “GET TESTED” written in bold letters on its side, the camper van is the mobile unit of the South Carolina HIV/AIDS Council, a nonprofit that Gaddist helped start and has headed since 1995.
The only unit of its kind in South Carolina, the van brings confidential HIV testing and information to communities across the state. Since 2000, Gaddist’s organization has provided HIV tests to more than 8,600 people, free of charge. [CNN]
I’ve loaded the videos from CNN because it’s pretty cool to see how easily the process works. Plus, Gaddist and her group are heroes for tackling such a difficult but important issue head on and they deserve recognition.
Back in the early 80’s, Dhec said there were no Aids cases in South Carolina. Health care workers were actually told not to worry about Aids, we wouldn’t be exposed. Next thing you knew, SC is number eight in the nation in the number of cases. That number keeps growing.
Actually South Florida has very high numbers too. Believe it or not, Aids is rampant in the retirement communities. CDC had a big push in education going on down there in the early 90’s. Old people think they ” can’t ” or ” won’t” get it and there is little further from the truth on that one folks.
At least people with Aids now have access to doctors and most likely their medicines. There are other diseases in South Carolina going mis and un diagnosed and therefore not treated, all on purpose. Dhec says we don’t have some of those illnesses here either. It all sounds too familiar though.
Aids is no longer ignored. Aids can be prevented .
BEST Advice*** stay healthy and forget you have insurance because it won’t pay if you really get sick.
I worked with Bambi back in the 80s. Nice to see she is finally receiving some recognition for her dedication.