On Saturday August 18, the Marsh Landing Country Club in Ponte Vedra will host A Latin Night for HOPE. The fundraising event is organized by nonprofit HOPE Across the Globe to raise awareness about their efforts to fight AIDS.

Preventing fetal transmission of HIV is a primary goal for HOPE which is also working to provide medicine to the underserved patients in Jacksonville.

HOPE owes its creation to doctors Ivan Guerrero and Pablo Pella who shared a concern for patients diagnosed with HIV positive. At the hospital these patients are screened and referred for monitoring and medication to satellite clinics, social services, and other agencies –when they qualify. However, they do not receive immediate attention.

AIDS Doesn’t Wait

State and federal drug programs have strict guidelines. Florida has an aids medication/treatment waiting list. “With and without insurance, HiV patients leaving the hospital, go through a waiting period for their treatment,” said Dr. Guerrero. “But after diagnosis, patients can’t be without medication because the decease will progress.”

According to the Peruvian infectologist the purpose of HOPE is to be able to get medicines for underserved patients while they go through the crucial waiting periods. “Immediately after diagnosis we provide highly active anti-retroviral treatment (HAART),” said HOPE Executive Director, register nurse Susan Brubaker who pointed out that their outreach was not just about medication, but also about education and the need to be tested.” HOPE will be having a community event next month, she said. “Reinforcement of knowledge is vital to prevent people from dying due to shame, denial or neglect”.

HOPE across the world, intends to assist local patients in the Jacksonville area and abroad in Peru and Panama.

HOPE is now focus on an awareness campaign and also trying to get physicians aboard to help treat patients who will be able to obtain medicine through non-profit’s support.

The Latin Night for Hope is part of the fundraising endeavours. Tickets to the event will be available at hopeacrosstheglobe.org ))