HARP-PS provides support and education to long-term survivors of HIV and AIDS
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Today, more than half of Americans living with HIV are over the age of 50.
This statistic and reality was almost unimaginable in the late 1980s, when people with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) were thought to be facing the death penalty.
It was still an unknown era. we were terrified. We were looking for answers. looking for a miracle Now, decades later, we see millions of older people living and thriving with HIV, thanks to significant advances in education, treatment, care and, ultimately, prevention.
Jeff Taylor is the executive director of HARP-PS (HIV & Aging Research Project – Palm Springs), a non-profit organization founded in 2015. He is a longtime HIV survivor and advocate.
The organization’s goals are positive and hopeful.
“Our mission at HARP-PS is to explore the effects of long-term HIV disease and its treatment on the natural aging process, thereby helping the large and growing population of long-term survivors of HIV and AIDS. It’s about improving the lives of people,” says Taylor.
When diagnoses and cases began climbing in frightening numbers nearly 40 years ago, it was not what population science expected that HIV-positive people would live so long and full lives.
“Here in the Valley, we have a lot of die-hard fans,” says Taylor. “HARP-PS hosts many events and opportunities throughout the year to educate, network and share experiences. We also host monthly educational forums for local healthcare and service providers. We are always busy and our community continues to grow, which is good.”
The desert is a welcoming environment for everyone, says Taylor. We’re proud that the nonprofit that started in the Coachella Valley helps so many people continue to improve their lives and health. ”
It is for this excellent and important outreach in our valley that we are awarding HARP-PS of the week Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation Power of Community $1,000 Grant So we can continue to do that wonderfully important work and support in our desert communities.
“The story of older people living with HIV in the United States is one thing that feels ignored and invisible, and we are here to change that,” says Taylor.
To Taylor and everyone living with HIV: See you. We see you live a long and fulfilling life and support you to continue to thrive!
Learn more about HARP-PS at harp-ps.org.
Sandie Newton is an award-winning broadcast journalist who began her career in Los Angeles as a co-host of the nationally syndicated show PM Magazine. She is a regular on E! Hallmark’s “Home & Family” channel. In 2017, she moved full-time to the desert and for over six years she created and hosted NBCares, profiling over 300 Valley nonprofits. She is currently the host of “Desert Chat,” her new 30-minute lifestyle her show that spotlights all the good people, events, and news in the Coachella Valley, and will announce her Debuts on KESQ and her Fox 11.
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