To & From: The Philippine Red Party

I came across the Philippine Red Party one day while doing research for the doc. I got in touch with Dr. Kate Leyritana, one of the Red Party's leading advocates, to find out more about what their cause is all about.

"The Philippine Red Party was conceptualized by Dr. Edsel Salvana, an infectious disease specialist who trained in Wisconsin, and is a "balik-scientist" (returning scirentist) under the Department of Science and Technology's program. It is a partnership between the Philippine General Hospital's Section of Infectious Diseases and Sagip Buhay Medical Foundation, a non-profit organization that seeks to raise funds for the charity medical patients of the Philippine General Hospital. It is basically a fundraiser-- for us to procure a VIRAL LOAD MACHINE, which will complement the RT-PCR machine that Australia will donate by means of their Red Party. These machines are indispensible in the management of HIV and AIDS, and these will be used for our growing number of patients."

"This machine will not only improve diagnosis and treatment for some of the Philippines' most vulnerable patients but also provide them with more affordable treatment for the virus. Just as importantly, this equipment will also provide the good doctors of the Philippines a good chance of reducing the spread of HIV amongst the greatly impoverished community."

The viral load machine they are looking to purchase is well over $100,000 - the bare minimum for a lower-end stock model. While UNAIDS and the Philippine National AIDS Council have committed to being financial sponsors, they have yet to put their financial contributions in writing. So the Philippine Red Party is also seeking contributions from the private sector. Needless to say, the sooner they receive the funding to purchase the machine, the sooner they'll be able to effectively care for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) being treated by the Philippine General Hospital.

Note: in a HIV/AIDS training session I attended in the Spring at APAIT, I learned that the average cost of care for one person living with HIV or AIDS in the US is $22,000 per year.

Add that to the fact that forty percent (40%) of Pilipinos in the Philippines make an average of $2 a day, acquiring the viral load machine for the Philippine General Hospital is vital in giving their patients a chance at living healthy, positive lives.

With that, I'm currently researching fundraising ideas that could be done from LA. If you are interested in getting involved with this cause, please let me know.

Here is info for their first fundraiser, a musical event that will take place this Saturday at San Miguel by the Bay in Manila.

I'm amazed by Kate & the Philippine Red Party's advocacy - this is no small feat!