TIHAN Update

TUCSON (Observer Update) - Southern Arizona artists, galleries, and businesses are invited to donate works of art to be displayed and auctioned at the Treasures for TIHAN benefit event to support AIDS awareness and compassionate support programs for people living with HIV/AIDS.

In a public statement, the Executive Director of the Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network (TIHAN), Scott Blades, said “TIHAN is the largest privately-funded provider of support services for people living with HIV/AIDS in Arizona, and our ability to provide great education and services is credited to the generous artists, businesses, and galleries that last year helped our auction raise over $100,000—which is one-third of our entire year’s budget.” This year, Blades said, the need is even greater. “We are calling all compassionate businesses, galleries, artists, and restaurants to join us and make our auction a success by contributing art to be auctioned off at our Treasures for TIHAN benefit, where hundreds of Tucsonans will be looking to purchase items in support of TIHAN’s programs and services.”

The organization is seeking gift certificates, paintings, sculptures, glass, ceramics, jewelry, leather, textiles, and other items to be donated for the auction. Donations can be delivered to the TIHAN office, 1011 North Craycroft Road, #301, during business hours, or arrangements can be made to pick it up.

Treasures for TIHAN is the annual live and silent auction benefitting the Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network (TIHAN). The 12th annual event will be held Saturday, May 9, 2009 at the Doubletree Hotel at Reid Park. All proceeds from the auction support the local work of TIHAN. Information about donations and tickets to the event are available at www.tihan.org

In 2008, TIHAN’s education and awareness programs reached more than 5,000 people through presentations, announcements, and information tables at community events and another 36,000 through faith community bulletins and newsletters. TIHAN’s volunteer-based support programs served 267 people living with HIV/AIDS in 2008. TIHAN’s Poz Café lunch program is the largest regular gathering place for people living with HIV/AIDS in Southern Arizona, having served over 10,000 meals to more than 500 people living with HIV/AIDS. According to the AZ Dept. of Health Services, the number of people diagnosed with AIDS will outnumber the number of people living with HIV in Arizona by 2012, requiring more care and treatment and increasing the urgency of our mission:

We of the Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network offer our hearts and hands to provide compassionate and non-judgmental service to those affected by HIV/AIDS. Through education and support, we — as individuals and faith communities — work to build bridges, reduce stigma and sustain hope.

For more information, visit www.tihan.org or contact Scott Blades, Executive Director, (520) 299-6647 or scott@tihan.org.