Portantino, City of Hope to Host HIV/AIDS Action Summit

Thirty years into the AIDS epidemic, folks might forget that  HIV/AIDS continues to affect our communities.

The 5th Annual San Gabriel Valley HIV/AIDS Action Summit, hosted by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada) and the City of Hope, raises awareness about the prevention, treatment and cure of HIV & AIDS.

A public discussion about current and future issues concerning the disease will be held Wednesday from 9 am to 12:30pm at the hospital's Cooper Auditorium. Topics will include HIV/AIDS 101 and the impacts of health care reform. There will be both panel discussions and breakout sessions.

Speakers:

• Jake Glaser, of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, discusses young people living with HIV. Jake is the son of actor Paul Michael Glaser and the late, Elizabeth Glaser, AIDS activist and the founder of PAF. He has been an active spokesman for raising awareness among young people about the disease he has lived with for 26 years.
• Dr. Alexandra Levine, Chief Medical Officer, City of Hope, will provide an update on the current status of the epidemic.
• Dr. Eric Walsh, Director, Pasadena Dept. of Public Health, will discuss Strategies for Healthcare Delivery.

City of Hope, Cooper Auditorium: 1500 E. Duarte Rd., Duarte 91010

For more information: 626.577.9944 or email: Tanganica.turner@asm.ca.gov.