Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund Awarded Elton John AIDS Foundation Grant

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund (OACF) recently received a $50,000 grant from the Elton John AIDS Foundation to support innovation in advocacy programming. Grants totaling nearly $3.5 million were awarded to 57 organizations that are addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in critical and innovative ways across the United States, Canada, Jamaica, Mexico and Spain.

“Due to budget cuts and other issues, our state faces many challenges in meeting the needs of people at risk and living with HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections,” said Cher Golding, executive director, Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund.  “With this grant, we can help bring a voice to these individuals and continue to provide much needed resources and financial assistance.”

With this grant, the OACF will use the funds to support a dedicated advocacy team, marketing and educational materials and training to accomplish five main goals. These goals include:

Working with community leaders and elected officials about HIV/AIDS and the importance of public funding and positive policy changes and legislation;

Coordinating with the Oklahoma State Health Department to develop a unified message to protect critical Ryan White Funding in Oklahoma and access any additional dollars available;

Promoting grassroots advocacy training to help reduce HIV-related stigma, health disparities and health inequities in Oklahoma;

Increasing access to care and improved health outcomes for people living with HIV/AIDS in Oklahoma; and

Implementing an HIV Awareness Day at the State Capitol and fostering a positive presence at the Capitol during the legislative session. 

The mission of the Elton John AIDS Foundation is to end the AIDS epidemic by ensuring everyone has the information and means to prevent infection and all people living with HIV have access to high-quality medical care and treatment. Established in 1992 in the United States and 1993 in the United Kingdom, the Elton John AIDS Foundation annually awards up to $9 million to organizations working with people who are most affected by HIV throughout the Americas and the Caribbean.

The Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund is a fundraising and advocacy organization dedicated to providing financial support and resources to HIV/AIDS service providers in the state of Oklahoma. Since its inception in 1991, the Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund has awarded more than $12 million in their commitment to reduce new infections, stigma, and health disparities while increasing access to care and collaboration of services. To learn more or to support the organization’s annual fundraising gala, Red Tie Night, please visit okaidscarefund.com or call (405) 348-6600.

Copyright 2017 The Gayly - 2/23/2017 @ 3:42 p.m. CDT