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Who we are: First started in October 1997 and chartered in January 1998 by Richard and Barbara Crawford. Being foster parents for over 25 years and specializing in drug addicted and HIV/AIDS children for the last fourteen years they felt a need to address the needs of the children of this disease. KIDS FIGHTING AIDS, INC. started with a handful of volunteers and has expanded twenty full time and many part time volunteers to help with special projects. We are all volunteers and use private donations to bring smiles to this special group of children we serve. There is no other agency at this time to care the needs of HIV/AIDS children in Tennessee. In 1999 more than 2.6 million died and 5.6 million newly infected joined the ranks of this deadly disease. While the rate is going down in newborns to the mothers who have HIV/AIDS, those not knowing of their status and not under doctors' care still produce children infected with HIV. The children are the true victims of the disease, having never made any choices in life. Did you know that there are twenty-four treated HIV/AIDS children, and fifty babies under observation screening at the Vanderbilt Pediatric Infectious Disease Clinic, Nashville? We serve primarily the Clinic and also help the adult communities' children from time to time, as requested. It is difficult to live with the disease as an adult and most children are overwhelmed or devastated by the disease. It is a disease that entails many tests, terrible medicines with many side effects, and it attacks all the parts and organs of the body. There is much discomfort and many times much pain. Each hospitalization brings anxiety over immortality for the most of the advanced cases in children. We at KIDS FIGHTING AIDS, INC. are trying to implement new ways to bring them the best quality of life possible. Life is short enough for adults, and life hasn't been fair to the children of this disease. This year we have expanded our programs to include pizza parties on holiday months, birthday gifts and monies for the parents' food during a child's hospital stay. We have always provided winter items, treasure box treats for clinic visits, and for all holidays, including Christmas gifts. We supply over the counter medicines not covered by TennCare and Insurances. Medicines include Tylenol, Motrin, cough syrups, rubber gloves, ear drops and etc. Medical items are distributed through the Vanderbilt Infectious Disease Clinic. We also provide holiday treats to all children at Vanderbilt Hospital and Maury Regional Hospital, Columbia. They do not have to be infected to receive the holiday treats. According to the Center for Disease Control by May 31, 2000 there was a total of 5,797 HIV and 4,148 AIDS cases in Tennessee. That does not include the 778 persons with HIV and 787 persons with AIDS from other states reported in Tennessee because they have been tested, diagnosed and/or treated in a Tennessee facility. Of these numbers 470 are HIV and 144 are AIDS in the 0-19 years of age. These are the numbers we are concerned with. We are constantly striving to enrich the quality of life for these children. We do not provide luxuries, only necessities for the children. We are all volunteers with no paid staff at this time. Our time is spent in giving the kids the opportunity to function as others more fortunate than they. How can you help? We need caring, smiling folks interested in helping us make the children happy. If you, or someone you know, would like more information please Contact us at 931/840-3533 or fax 931/381-8913. We are always looking for fundraisers and opportunities to help educate the general public about HIV/AIDS from the pediatric aspect. We accept small items to be used for the children in the hospital and monetary donations of any size to use for the age groups missed. We have open meetings on the third Tuesday of every month and they are open to the public. We invite all interested persons to attend. We are a tax-exempt, non profit agency. For more information contact us at: KIDS FIGHTING AIDS, INC., 317 West 8th Street, Columbia, TN 38401 For more information contact us at: KIDS FIGHTING AIDS, INC, 317 West 8th Street, Columbia, TN 38401 |
