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December 1, 2022
BUFFALO, NY – Evergreen Health, a local healthcare organization that specializes in HIV and hepatitis C testing, treatment and care, as well as drug user services, announced today its foundation, Evergreen Health Foundation, will kick off a month-long online fundraiser in honor of World AIDS Day, which occurs annually on December 1.
Evergreen Health is a leader in HIV treatment, testing and prevention in New York state in addition to being the leading provider of the HIV prevention medication, PrEP, in Western New York. Donations made to Evergreen Health Foundation’s online fundraiser throughout December will help the organization continue to raise awareness and provide HIV education and prevention services within the local Western New York community. Individuals are also encouraged to create their own fundraising page, which can later be shared on social media.
“Through groundbreaking research and medical advancements, along with continued awareness, we’ve come incredibly far in HIV treatment and the stigmas surrounding it,” said Richard Ridenour, executive director, Evergreen Health Foundation. “Individuals impacted by HIV in our community have the opportunity to live their lives to the fullest and healthiest potential, something that may not have been possible years ago. With those strides comes continued efforts to support and offer these essential programs and services, and that’s what Evergreen Health sets out to do.”
In addition to the fundraiser, Evergreen Health will honor World AIDS Day by displaying the Mending of the Hearts Project during the month of December at its 206 S. Elmwood Ave. Buffalo, NY. The project, which started out between a small group of friends in 1985, has turned into a traveling fabric memorial comprised of nearly 100 panels to honor the stories and lives of individuals that have lost their lives to AIDS across the region. Those that are interested in seeing the project must make an appointment with Evergreen Health ahead of time by emailing foundation@evergreenhs.org and can also fill out a red ribbon in memory of a loved one lost to AIDS.
The community-wide fundraising efforts for Evergreen Health’s HIV education and prevention services had previously been a part of the organization’s annual “AIDS Walk Buffalo.” In 2019, Evergreen Health had retired the in-person event, regrouping with the community in an effort to be part of the changing conversation around HIV and putting further emphasis on World AIDS Day.
“We encourage those that have walked with us in the past – or those that have recently been made aware of our services – to join us as we continue to support the health and safety of people living with HIV,” said Ridenour.
World AIDS Day, the first-ever global health day, was founded in 1988 as an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show support for people living with HIV and commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Currently, there are an estimated 38 million people worldwide living with HIV.
To donate or learn more, visit the link here.
About Evergreen Health
Evergreen Health fosters healthy communities by providing medical, supportive and behavioral services to individuals and families in Western New York – especially those who are living with chronic illness or who are underserved by the healthcare system. For more information, visit www.evergreenhs.org.