Hermanas Nationwide Make a Change for the Future During Phase I of Red Ribbon Campaign

Chicago, IL, January 16, 2007 – In 2003, Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. and Camp Heartland established a partnership to directly benefit youth impacted by HIV/AIDS. Since then we have raised thousands of dollars, volunteered at the camp and continued working together to enhance the lives of children and youth. This commitment was strengthened during fall 2006 when SIA launched the Red Ribbon Campaign as part of the 3rd annual “Change for the Future” fundraising drive. SIA’s campaign is a two part phase taking place throughout a one year period that benefits the AIDS cause through local and national efforts.

Statistics show that a drastically increasing number of Latinos are affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. According to the Center for Disease Control, through 2001 over 115,000 Latino men and 26,000 Latina women have been diagnosed with AIDS.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, Year end Edition 2001.

Change for the Future commemorated World AIDS Day (December 1) and honored and remembered those individuals living with HIV/AIDS. There are currently 40 million people in the world who are infected with HIV/AIDS. Millions more are friends, children, cousins, mothers, fathers, siblings, and grandparents to those who are infected with HIV. We were able to recognize the global impact of AIDS and to honor those who are directly affected by the virus. Change for the Future mobilizes students, businesses, and community organizations to raise money for children impacted by HIV/AIDS by collecting loose change.

Undergraduate, graduate and alumnae hermanas nationwide participated in the penny drive and sponsored events such as banquets and sporting tournaments with proceeds benefiting Camp Heartland. In a few months, SIA raised over $8,000! Most of which was raised during our fall semester as part of the Red Ribbon Campaign. “It's amazing what a group of determined women can accomplish in just a few months. I am very proud of work SIA does to benefit Camp Heartland everyday” said Suheil Pimentel, VP of Marketing.

On the East coast, our Phi Chapter at New York University held its 4th annual Camp Heartland Charity Banquet: "Building Bridges of Hope". The banquet began in 2003 and has grown exponentially over the years. This year's theme focused on the future of HIV/AIDS and the power of people uniting together to fight this epidemic and inspire hope worldwide. The banquet has become one of largest Latino sponsored events on NYU's campus and attracted over 220 people in attendance. Hermanas from near and far supported the cause and the Phi chapter was able to raise $3,900.

The Beta Chapter at SUNY Stony Brook held its 2nd annual banquet in celebration of our founders weekend with the purpose of raising funds for Camp Heartland. They were able to raise over $1,100. Our Michigan State University Colony raised nearly $450 with their innovative twist. Rather than just thinking "inside the box" and trying to appeal simply to the Greek community, they reached out to communities who were interested in the cause of World AIDS Day. They decided to host a dodge ball tournament that brought together over sixty people including multicultural Greeks, members of the marching band, other residential programs and Latino support programs! This is the first of its kind among minority Greeks on MSU's campus. Angelita Navarro of the MSU Colony stated, “this event was very rewarding because we were able to give hope to those who are made to feel "different" and it involved our campus community."

Some important statistics:
*At the end of 2002, 10% of the approximately 281,931 persons reported to be living with HIV were Hispanic.

At the end of 2002, 20% of the approximately 384,906 persons reported to be living with AIDS were Hispanic.

*The AIDS case rate among Hispanic women was over five (5) times that of White women in 2002 (11.3 compared to 2.1 per 100,000).

*In 2002, Hispanic children, <13 years of age, accounted for 26% of all new AIDS diagnoses, compared to 7.6% among White children.

*By race/ethnicity, from 1999 through 2002, the number of all new diagnoses of HIV increased 2.1% among Hispanics, compared to 0.9% among Whites.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report 2002; 14:p7-13

About Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. (SIA): SIA was founded in New York on September 29, 1990 by thirteen Latina women with the purpose of creating an organization that would help their communities, unite women, promote the Latino culture and uphold a set of distinct goals. Our dedication to scholarship, service and professional development within the Latino community has grown beyond New York, with chapters in several states including: New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, California, Texas, Illinois, Michigan, Maryland and Virginia.
We are more than a sorority; we are a family and network of professional, strong and dedicated women leaders. We are also a 501(c)7 tax-exempt organization and we work in conjunction with the Solidaridad Inspiracion Amistad Community Foundation, Inc.- a 501(c)3 Community Foundation committed to scholarship, service and professional development within Latino communities nationally. Together, we administer a national scholarship fund for incoming college freshmen who demonstrate academic merit, service to communities in need and exemplary leadership capabilities. For more information, please visit www.hermandad-sia.org.

About Camp Heartland
Camp Heartland is dedicated to enhancing the lives of children impacted by HIV/AIDS through year-round support, advocacy, recreational programs and community AIDS awareness efforts. Camp Heartland was founded in 1993 to provide children impacted by HIV/AIDS with "the best week of their lives." Since then, it has expanded from a week-long camping experience to a variety of life enhancing programs and services. Today, Camp Heartland lifts the veil of secrecy and brings hope, strength and a safe haven to hundreds of children forever affected by the isolation and tragedy of HIV/AIDS. For more information, please visit www.campheartland.org.

Contact: Suheil Pimentel, Vice President of Marketing
Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc.
communications@hermandad-sia.org
www.hermandad-sia.org