$25 for 25 Years Campaign - Save Our Youth
Dear Friend,
We need your help to save our youth. According to the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System which monitors health behaviors of students in grades 9-12, 66.8% of Philadelphia high school students have had sexual intercourse. Of those, 46.1% of males and 18.8% of females have had sex with FOUR or more individuals. Yet only 56% of the females and 75% of males said they used a condom during their last sexual intercourse.
Philadelphia teens also have high rates of STIs—particularly Chlamydia—and pregnancy. According to the Philadelphia Office of HIV Planning’s Integrated Epidemiological Profile, in Philadelphia, the case rate for Chlamydia in is 1,122 per 100,000 and the case rate for Gonorrhea is 346 per 100,000.
As we commemorate our 25th Anniversary we realize that the road in front of us in not any easy one. The results of inaction will be devastating. We have decided to launch a $25 for 25 years campaign, in order to raise the funds needed to tackle this epidemic and to continue our work in the Philadelphia Community. Will you help us by donating $25? You can donate securely via our website at www.bebashi.org or by mail. Donations are tax deductible. These are our children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. We must do something now.
Sincerely,
Gary J. Bell
What is a Sexually Transmitted Infection?
Sexually transmitted infections (STI's), also known as sexually transmitted diseases or venereal diseases refers to more than 50 syndromes, which may be transmitted through the exchange of body fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid, and blood. However, you can get some STI's, such as Herpes and HPV, by kissing and caressing or direct contact with infected areas.
What are HIV and AIDS?
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV is a retrovirus. Retrovirus' infect human cells and use them to reproduce. AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and is a disease in which the body's immune system ceases to work properly, and eventually becomes incapable of fighting off certain infections. These infections are referred to as Opportunistic Diseases.
How are STIs Spread?
STI's are spread during close, sexual activity. It is spread during vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Some STI's (HIV and Hepatitis B) are also spread by contact with infected body fluids. Most STI germs need to live in warm, moist areas--that's why they infect the mouth, rectum, and sex organs (vagina, vulva, penis, and testes).
What Method of Prevention is Best?
We believe that education is the best weapon for prevention through formal presentations in a variety of community settings and at informal discussions in home settings. Our education component includes programs that are specially designed to address the specific concerns of at-risk populations: women, adolescents, substance abusers, and men who have sex with men (MSM's).
About BEBASHI
BEBASHI was founded in 1985 in response to the increasing incidence of HIV/AIDS in the African American community of Philadelphia. We are a full-service HIV/AIDS case management agency with a special interest in serving low-income people of color with HIV disease. Our mission is to provide culturally sensitive health related information, direct service, research, and technical assistance to the urban community.
Our programs are designed to meet the needs of the underserved community and our educational efforts focus on street outreach to areas of the community most in need of prevention information and direct care services to those who are least likely to receive it. In 2004 we provided services to 15,000 Philadelphians and over 500,000 individuals since 1985!
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