ASAP (AIDS Service Association of Pinellas) receives $7,500 from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS

Clearwater, Fla. (October 12, 2015) – For people battling HIV/AIDS, something as simple as a dirty spoon or toothbrush can send their weakened immune systems into a life-threatening downward spiral. This is why cleaning supplies and personal grooming products are two of the most critical items, aside from medication, needed to maintain their health.

ASAP, a member of Empath Health sees an average of 350 people per month and the demand for household cleaning and personal grooming supplies is constant.

“These items are often very expensive and our clients tend to focus most of their expendable income on food,” explains William Harper, Executive Director of ASAP.

To help ease the financial burden, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, one of the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations, has awarded ASAP a $7,500 grant.

“100 percent of funds received from Broadway Cares will be used to purchase household cleaning items and personal grooming products for ASAP’s Food and Personal Needs Pantry,” says Harper. “This is a great help to our clients’ budgets and provides an opportunity for them to focus on purchasing nutritious foods, which are usually more expensive, instead of on cleaning supplies.”

“We are extremely grateful for this very generous grant,” says Rafael Sciullo, President & CEO of Empath Health.  “The availability of cleaning items and personal grooming products is critical to maintaining the health of those in our community battling HIV/AIDS, and we are committed to their well-being.”

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About ASAP

ASAP (AIDS Service Association of Pinellas) is a non-profit organization that provides medical case management, pharmacy services, group and individual counseling, basic need items and other services for clients and their families as well as works to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS through education, testing and advocacy. ASAP is a member of Empath Health, a non-profit integrated network of care. Contact ASAP at 727-328-3260 or ASAPservices.org.

About Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is one of the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theatre community, since 1988 BC/EFA has raised more than $250 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.

Broadway Cares awards annual grants to more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations nationwide and is the major supporter of the social service programs at The Actors Fund, including the HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative, the Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic, The Dancers’ Resource and the Stage Managers’ Project.

About Empath Health

Empath Health is a non-profit integrated network of care that provides expert, life-changing health care to those with chronic and advanced illnesses. Empath Health includes hospice, palliative home health and physician services, independent living assistance and day care for seniors, HIV services and advance care planning. Contact Empath Health at 727-467-7423 or EmpathHealth.org.