Are you in recovery? Would you like to share your story in 500 words or less?

By sharing your story, you can inspire hope in the lives of those still struggling with drugs, alcohol or gambling. The questions provided below are suggested only as a guide to assist you in the storytelling process and are not required to share your story.

• What was the turning point at which you chose to begin your pathway to recovery?
• How did you overcome the challenges you faced?
• What do you want to share with others about recovery?
• Describe your life now compared to your life before recovery.
• What do you want to accomplish in your recovery?

Feel free to share your story at iamrecovery.com.

Take a short survey on LGBT health and human services issues at: www.nylgbtsurvey.org.

Be a part of a historic effort to research and document the needs of LGBT New Yorkers to ensure those needs don’t go unaddressed by government and health and human service providers. The information you provide will go toward fighting for policy changes and funding to make services to LGBT people in New York equitable and LGBT-friendly.

This survey is open to all LGBT New Yorkers ages 18 and over.

Enter for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card with your completed survey! Information provided for the raffle will be confidential and not linked to your survey responses.

For more information or to receive paper surveys, e-mail Somjen Frazer consulting@somjenfrazer.com.

This survey is a project of the Empire State Pride Agenda, the NYS LGBT Health and Human Services Network, and Somjen Frazer Consulting.

From the left, Crisosto Apache, Matthew Reed and Travis Goldtooth of the Two Spirit Society of Denver drum during a blessing Sunday at the National Conference on GLBT Equality.( Brian Brainerd, The Denver Post )

By Jessica Fender
The Denver Post

“We’ll say ‘I can’t,’ cause we can’t say ‘I do,’ ” four bouffant-clad drag queens doo-wopped to a familiar tune on stage at Denver’s Grand Hyatt. “Locked out of the chapel of love.”

A national gathering of 2,000 gay and lesbian activists wrapped on a high note Sunday with the comedic crooning of The Kinsey Sicks quartet, an appearance by U.S. Rep Jared Polis and more than one joke about disgraced spiritual leader Ted Haggard.

The lighthearted end to four days of community-outreach training provided a much-needed shot in the arm for a group that suffered ballot-initiative disappointments in California and other states, said conference organizer Sue Hyde.

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(download flyer)

Let Obama know what you think of our health care system!

We are seeking public comments and input at a Community Health Discussion

Thursday, January 22nd
4-8pm

American Indian Community House
11 Broadway
NY, NY 10004

Light refreshments and snacks will be provided

Your input is important

• If you had to choose, what would your priorities be to improve Indian health care services especially in the city?
• What services would you like to see added or enhanced?
• What are the main obstacles in accessing health care?
• Most importantly, what would you say to the President if he asked you how to fix these problems?

For more info contact Harlan Pruden at harlan@ne2ss.org or 646.351.7360

If you haven’t already read it, be sure to check out the latest issue of POZ Magazine. NE2SS elder Kent Lesbock(pictured above) is quoted in the article “Rest for the Weary“.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/common/printerfriendlystory
by: KIM ARCHER
World Staff Writer

A researcher says the prevalence of diabetes in the population is tied to the problem.

American Indians have more strokes than white or black people in the U.S. and are more likely to die after their first stroke, a major national study led by a University of Oklahoma researcher shows.

It’s the largest epidemiologic study of cardiovascular disease in American Indians and the first to detail stroke incidence rates and risk factors for American Indians, said principal investigator Dr. Ying Zhang. Thirteen additional researchers from across the country were authors of the study, which was based at the OU College of Public Health.

The Strong Heart Study will be published next week in the American Heart Association’s journal, Circulation.

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Story from Science Centric | News
http://www.sciencecentric.com/news/article.php?q=08092377
Science Centric - 23 September 2008 14:05 GMT

American Indians have a higher incidence of stroke compared to white and black Americans and their first strokes may be more deadly, according to a study published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

The findings, from the largest longitudinal, population-based study of cardiovascular disease and risk factors in American Indians showed that the stroke incidence rate was 679 per 100,000 person years for American Indians. Previous studies in persons of similar age found the stroke incidence rate 306 per 100,000 person years for whites and 607 per 100,000 person years for blacks.

Moreover, first strokes appear to be more deadly in American Indians, said Ying Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., study lead author and assistant professor at the College of Public Health at the University of Oklahoma Sciences Centre in Oklahoma City. The death rate was 18 percent within one month of stroke and 32 percent within one year of stroke.

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Redhawk Native American Arts Council Presents
 Lower Hudson Valley Native American Celebration
Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park
2957 Crompond Rd
Yorktown Heights, NY 10598

September 27, 2008 - 11AM - 7PM
grand entrance of dancers 1PM & 4PM
September 28, 2008 - 11AM - 7PM
grand entrance of dancers 1PM & 3PM

Free for children 6 years and under!
$6 young adult/senior
$10 adult

Enjoy Native American Singing, Dancing, Food, Crafts, Educational Programs and More!

Redhawk Arts Council
(718) 686-9297 / (718) 686-0012
Email: redhawkarts@mindspring.com
Websites: www.redhawkcouncil.org
www.myspace.com/redhawkcouncil

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_10509841
Study: Cancer rate among American Indians goes undercounted
By Lisa Rosetta
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated:09/19/2008 02:30:38 PM MDT

The cancer burden of American Indians has long been underestimated, according to new research. The incidence rate - or how quickly a disease is spreading in a group - is estimated by dividing the number of new cancer cases by the population.

The numbers plugged into that formula for American Indians have not been accurate, said Charles Wiggins, director of the New Mexico Tumor Registry in Albuquerque. His work was featured in Cancer last month.

“Historically, we believe many [American Indian] cases were undercounted in central cancer registries,” he said. “This has been documented in every registry where we’ve looked.”

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Article Date: 29 Aug 2008 - 3:00 PDT

In a historically unprecedented move, over 30 national HIV/AIDS organizations and leaders representing African-American, Latino, Native American/Alaska Native, and Asian & Pacific Islander communities have joined forces in an urgent call for the development and implementation of a comprehensive national AIDS strategy. The demands to the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees come in response to long-standing concerns about unmet needs for targeted HIV research, treatment access, medical care and prevention in communities of color. A recently-released report from the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on estimates of new HIV infections in the United States amplifies the crises faced in communities of color.

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