The 2010 Red Party was one of our best ever!  Heartfelt thanks go out to our community for supporting us!  Click here to see the full photo gallery.

The 2010 Red Party was sponsored by:

Enter the stars2010 Urban Scavenger Hunt as a fun, interactive way to participate in stars2010, raise money for The Project, and win some money of your own!  To register, fill out the attached form and submit with the $40 registration fee by August 26.  The scavenger hunt lists will be emailed on August 27 at 12pm.  The hunt is on from August 27, 12pm - September 3, 12pm!

This event is sponsored by private individuals.  All costs accrued to host this contest and all prizes were not paid for by The Project.

Click here for full contest rules and entry form!

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation brought their Magic Johnson mobile testing bus to Des Moines, together with The Project and CHAIN, they hosted a rally at the state capitol to draw attention to the ADAP crisis.  Check out the photos from the event!

Reproductive and Sexual Health Advocates Applaud Microbicide Gel's Dual Success in Simultaneously Reducing Risk of HIV and Genital Herpes

OAKLAND, Calif., July 20 (AScribe Newswire) -- A potential breakthrough in HIV prevention has stirred excitement and optimism among researchers and advocates for sexual and reproductive health because it is an important example of a product that may protect women against both HIV and an additional sexually transmitted infection (STI).

"We have long recognized the need for prevention methods that could address more than just one disease or reproductive health need," said Bethany Young Holt, director of the Public Health Institute's (PHI) Coalition Advancing Multipurpose Initiative (CAMI), a Bay Area-based international consortium of advocates and researchers that promotes the use of multipurpose contraceptives to prevent HIV, STIs and unintended pregnancy. "The South Africa study results really give us hope that prevention tools will be available that will empower women and couples to protect themselves against HIV and address other sexual and reproductive health needs."

Researchers in South Africa found that a vaginal gel applied by women before and after sex cut the chance of acquiring the virus that causes AIDS by 39 percent and the genital herpes virus by 52 percent. Presented at the International AIDS Conference in Vienna today, this is the first time an HIV-prevention method controlled by women -- who bear the brunt of the epidemic in Africa -- has been shown to work. Though HIV experts and scientists are cautiously optimistic about the gel, the news of a safe and effective tool to help women prevent HIV and other STIs offers hope to women and advocates for their health around the world.

Read full article on AScribe...

Summer in Des Moines kicks off with many events that keep our prevention team busy. This year, we had a great booth at LGBT Pride Fest, we engaged the African American community at Juneteenth, and we worked with historic African American churches on National Testing day.

- We had hundreds of booth visits at Pride, spoke on-stage to thousands of people about rising HIV infections, and distributed over 3,500 condoms.
- At Juneteenth, we reached over 100 people at our booth, distributing over 800 condoms. Local band Guerilla Hustle was featured at our booth, helping to raise our profile.
- On National Testing day, we visited Des Moines Fellowship and New Friendship Church of God, speaking to over 140 people about HIV testing.

Thanks to all who helped out, and thanks to everyone who stopped by our booths!