It was a chilly Wednesday in October – the day before Halloween.
Overcast – gloomy – breezy – leaves drifting in the wind and pumpkins flickering from within. Just the kind of day you’d want for those ghosts and creatures of darkness to begin gathering on the streets dancing to the annual “Trick or Treat” beat. Meanwhile, FAWN
…went to college!
Oh – what a time it was!
We were running to and foe, spreading – the good news of the secret of FAWN. Yes, the secret. You know – the one about how good it makes you feel inside when you reach out and help someone in need!
Yes – that’s the secret of FAWN.
Actually, that’s the definition of FAWN!
“And where,” you ask, “were you having all this fun?”
Why – at Wayne State University of course!
FAWN (Fighting AIDS With Nutrition) was invited to participate at the Wayne State University’s (WSU), Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (in college lingo they call that the EACPHS) Community Apple Days Career Fair. Collaborating with the FAWN student auxiliary, located on campus, we set up an entire room for display and presentation and were visited by a steady parade of faculty and students alike stopping by to learn what FAWN is all about.
(The WSU, student FAWN group (FAWN shirts donated by Geri Smith). From left we have Jeremy Kelm, Ahmad Reslan, Dana Masri, Ruffa Villota, Libin Philip (Group Leader) and Omar Jadallah.)
EACPHS, under the guidance of Professor Geralynn B. Smith (Geri), formed the campus group three years ago. Geri has since retired from WSU (although in between bouts of Florida’s warm sunshine and soothing surf, she continues to work hard as a board member of FAWN) and we’re happy to report that the group has continued to be active and strong with plans to continue so far into the future. In fact, we discussed plans with them of spreading out into other campuses and locations.
Despite being assigned a difficult location, around the corner at the far end of the presentation floor,
we reached out to a large number of people, spreading the good news of FAWN. Although I was getting nervous, when Reverend Frank Julian, founder and CEO of FAWN, was scheduled to address the group, and there was only a single person in the room. But you can’t hide a good ‘secret’ under a bushel and…by the end of his presentation – the room was full.
It was especially exciting when some high school students wanted to know how they could become involved with FAWN.
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(Stefan Carter, Libin Philips (FAWN student leader) Rev. Julian)
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Rev. Julian reviewed the history of FAWN, explaining how he was touched when he saw all the graves of the victims of AIDS during a missionary trip to South Africa in 2001.
He simply asked, “What can we do to help?“
They simply answered, “Give us nutrition.”
Starting with a single can of nutritional ENSURE, and growing to the latest shipment distributed just this past month, FAWN has gathered together and sent off 30 shipments of the life-sustaining liquid nutrition, distributing over 150,000 pounds of hope to the people of Sub-Saharan and Botswana, Africa ,
While FAWN is proud of that accomplishment, and thankful to all its supporters and contributors, we know it’s a mere drop in the bucket of what’s needed, and FAWN is moving to increase its impact and stretch its outreach to a higher, more sustainable level. Rev. Julian stated the goal of FAWN is to provide quarterly shipments that are consistent and which the people of Africa can depend upon.
While, on the surface, a can of ENSURE or BOOST may seem insignificant, in reality it’s literally ‘liquid life‘ to the victims of AIDS. Malnutrition and starvation are just as pervasive and devastating as the AIDS virus itself is…
…in combination with AIDS – they’re deadly.
The people of Sub-Saharan and Botswana, Africa are now receiving antiretroviral medication, but when they are in a malnourished state, the medicine doesn’t work well, and can actually be harmful to the victim. Research, conducted by the United Nations and various scientific studies, have definitively concluded that nourishment is an essential component of the overall treatment for AIDS.
Simply stated, victims of AIDS, live longer, with a higher quality of life when nourished. Unfortunately, the governments are not supplying nourishment along with the medicine.
And that’s where FAWN comes in.
Not only does FAWN send shipments of the “miracle cans” to Africa, but we make numerous trips along with the shipments where we teach and educate the people on how to fertilize the ground and grow vegetables themselves for sustained nourishment. Our latest team, headed by Pastor John Esper, just returned in October.
We thank WSU and especially Mary K. Clark, Ph.D., and Lloyd Y. Young, PharmD for the invitation to attend this community event where we got to mingle amongst some of the leading pharmacy and medicine faculty and students found anywhere in the United States.
Fairs, shows and events such as this one provided by the WSU Community Apple Days Fair, are opportunities that FAWN welcomes with open arms. Our mission is to spread the word of FAWN and to share the ‘secret’ of FAWN to the world.
We want everyone to feel the warmth and joy that comes from “giving”.
Giving a little time – a little money – giving a lot of hope and life! Tell me – what could be better?
If you are planning an event and would like FAWN to come, contact us – and we’ll be there. Depending on what the venue is- we can display, present, speak or just be present – whatever you desire – FAWN is eager to participate. You can contact us via email at efawn@fightingaids.org or call us at 313-215-2724. Also, you can “Like” us on Facebook at FAWN-fighting Aids with Nutrition and “Friend” us on Twitter at @eFawnduane Subscribe to our newspaper at http://paper.li/EfawnDuane/1380987399 and stay abreast and on top of all the latest developments, not only in FAWN but in the world of AIDS research and treatment.
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AIDS is a horrible, devastating disease that millions upon millions of innocent people suffer from and die. In addition, millions of children are left without family – homeless – destined to rummage for food – child slavery – or the horrors of the sex trade – and ultimately – death.
But – it is a battle in which YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE – one can at a time.
Join with us – and share in the “secret of FAWN”. It’s there for the taking. Call us – or hit the “DONATE” button on this page.
Give some hope to those who have none – and receive the gift of giving.
When everything is said and done – isn’t that what life is really about – giving a little compassion and love to those who need it?
Until Next Time:
Embrace Life’s Bridges – For they Define Who You Are
DK LeVick
wonderful chance to help another human being. Doesn’t matter what denomination you are. This also spreads the love of God