HIV/AIDS Pastoral Care Network - WORLDWIDE, Inc.
2180 NW 18th Avenue, Suite A-6,
Pompano Beach, FL (USA) 33069-1307
12/1/2011
Dear Ministry Friend,
As I write you today, on World AIDS Day, this is the 30th year of our Ministry's
involvement here in the USA (and later around the World) - we are in the midst
of an epidemic. We have HIV-I and HIV-II and Full Blown AIDS! Not an epidemic
that we simply hear about on TV,in the Movies or that affects places we’ve
been to, but an epidemic that affects our neighbors, friends and thousands in
our local communities.
Florida is home to the 3rd largest population of those infected with HIV in the
nation. One in every 205 white men, one in every 113 Latino men, and one in
every 42 African American men is living with the AIDS virus in our state.
Nationally, AIDS is the leading cause of death among young African American women.
Critical funding for AIDS education, prevention and drug assistance programs in
Florida has taken a beating under the Republican-led Legislature’s budget
whacking policies of the last decade. Florida already has the longest wait list
in the nation for the drug assistance program, now, with over 3,900 people in
need of lifesaving medication. Under our new Gov. Medical Dr. Rick Scott and
our current GOP controlled Legislature, unfortunately the future does not look
very bright for these programs, for treatment of STD's or for sexual education.
In October, my friend from the NASA space program days - US Senator Bill Nelson
- joined Sir Elton John - in bringing awareness to a record number of Americans
and specifically local Floridians – living with HIV/AIDS and the pligght of
thousands of Floridians who are in danger of losing their medication due to
budget cuts. President Obama has championed the cause, asking the US Congress
for an increase in funding for AIDS programs. Today, the White House called me
and indicated they had achieved a major new - additional commitment to AIDS
programs in the USA and World. Now, we must demand the same of our Florida leaders.
Too many Floridians – nearly 10,000 peoople – are dependent on these lifesaving
programs. We must demand from our elected officials that these programs, and AIDS
prevention and education, receive the funding that they need to save lives and
prevent the spread of disease.
You can get involved in the events of World AIDS Day (and for the rest of the
next year, too); and join many thousands of people across the nation – including
President Obama – in working to to educate and prevent the disease from spreading.
Thanks to all of you who have helped our ministry to feed, cloth and protect orphans
- all over the World. As you all know, we lost our Founder, Geraldine B. Carl last
New's Years Eve. She is gone but her cause is not completed - as yet.
Sincerely,
UNDERMySEAL20111201-07RM
Reverend Dr. Ron Manclaw
FL 2-1-1 Emergency Service(s) 1-954-975-9600 Elected Senior Chaplain, HPCN-W, Inc.