8 BOCNEWS.com MARCH 2019 “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gos- pel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.” ­ — Matthew 9:35 Would it not be a marvelous thing to see our Savior moving among us and teaching, preach- ing and healing as he did in the above text? One day there will be no more sickness to bare as we do now. At present it is left to us to do what we can to help those sick and in need. Many times, when I had to deal with a large sick population, I wished I could do what Jesus did. One experience made me think of this. It was when I returned to the U.S. from the country of Ethiopia where I had served from 1984-1987 as a missionary taking care of people affected by a famine. When I was in Ethiopia, I saw no none impacted by HIV/ AIDS. However, after returning home to Denver, Colorado, I saw a multitude of people ill with this infection. The really painful reality is that we had little in the way of any healing treatment as that was before the effective treatment came into existence. Many died in about 1, and less than 2 years and at first, we had only one medication to treat the HIV infection itself and that was called AZT, and in my view and others, it had little impact. It was a painful experience to attempt to treat people with actually little to offer. We had other medications to treat the deadly bacterial, fungal, and viral infections that struck people because of a suppressed immune sys- tem. However those medications also did too little. It was a providential event that allowed for new treatments to be developed actually starting with AZT introduced in 1987, and mentioned above. There was the development of a new way of treating people called HAART or highly active antiret- roviral therapy. This allowed a multitude of new medications to be available for treatment. This revolutionized the treat- ment for HIV infection. Thank God, people could live longer and better, but it was not a cure. As of September of 2018, there are seven new classes of drugs available with numerous options for treatment. Some of these medications are expen- sive, but others allow for more effective treatment. Some new drugs do the following: Drugs in the group called PREP prevent HIV infection in those who do not have HIV infection but have sexual or other exposures There are drugs that prevent HIV infection for health-care workers who have needle-sticks within first 3 days of a needlestick. Drugs are available to keep mothers from trans- mitting HIV to their child before delivery, after deliv- ery and while doing only the first 6 months of breast feeding (HIV testing as indicated can help detect infection and guide treatment options) You will want to discuss such drugs and HIV testing carefully with your medical provider. Also discuss smoking cessa- tion as needed and temperance or avoiding alcohol use. Get any needed cancer screening and see your phy- sician on a regular basis as agreed upon By race African Americans face the most severe burden of HIV infection More than half of Blacks overall with HIV/AIDS, are men who have sex with men African Americans while being 12% of the population have accounted for 44% of new cases of HIV/AIDS Preventing New HIV Infection ■ ■ Abstaining from any sexual contact ■ ■ Having a mutually faithful monogamous rela- tionship with an HIV free partner ■ ■ Consistent use of condoms which may reduce risk of infection by 80%, but by no means giving complete protection ■ ■ Avoid injection of drugs and shared needles ■ ■ Circumcision in males-this may reduce risk by 60% ■ ■ Frequent testing for HIV infection as indicated for potential exposure so treatment can be given as needed and avoid spreading HIV ■ ■ Continual education of all young people on the dangers of unsafe sex practices ■ ■ Taking medications prescribed for HIV infection for an infected person can inhibit new infections in contacts May God bless you and help you maintain your health. What You Should Know About HIV/AIDS Dr. Conner By Byron E. Conner, M.D. HEALTH There are drugs that prevent HIV infection for health-care workers who have needle-sticks within first 3 days of a needlestick. Siblings Honored at CGMA & Hall of Fame Awards On February 10, 2019, DeNesha and Allan Tellis were jointly hon- ored with the 2018 Superb Journalism award at the 48th Annual Colorado Gospel Music Academy & Hall of Fame Awards. During the awards ceremony held at New Hope Baptist Church, Dr. Syl Morgan-Smith, founder and president of the Colorado Gospel Music Academy & Hall of Fame Awards remarked that what she liked most about the “sis- ter and brother team” is that they are making a difference and they are doing it together. As their mother, I am godly proud that they are both walking in confi- dence and boldness. Proverbs 18:16 says “a man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.” Both Allan and DeNesha began pursuing their gifts in writing and communication as college students. As an undergraduate at Dillard University, DeNesha wrote for the uni- versity’s newspaper and also for the city of New Orleans’ newspaper, The Times-Picayune. As a student at the University of Colorado Boulder, Allan launched a live radio show where he was an on-air personality. Allan and DeNesha each earned a bachelor’s degree in English. DeNesha, who is the older sibling, went on to earn a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia and Allan is cur- rently pursuing a master’s degree in the social justice program at the University of Colorado Denver. Dr. Morgan-Smith pointed out that Hall of Fame Awards are given to people who have been active in their respective areas for at least three years, and that is certainly the case for both DeNesha and Allan. After starting her career as a writer and editor for traditional media out- lets, DeNesha has evolved into a brand journalist who helps corporations tell their stories and connect with their audiences. She recently traveled to Bangkok, Thailand to meet with doz- ens of CEOs representing companies from all over the world to discuss one of the communications campaigns she designed. After leading commu- nications efforts for large, established organizations, DeNesha is trusting God as she launches her own commu- nications consultancy this year. Allan has built a solid reputation as a respected journalist and is pas- sionate about promoting social jus- tice narratives and using and ana- lyzing high-level research. He is the 2017 Colorado Association of Black Journalists Print Journalist of the Year, and, as a freelance writer, has been called on by the Denver Weekly News, the Denver Urban Spectrum and CBS Denver to develop con- tent. He was also a reporter for the Denverite. Allan currently serves as a writing consultant for students at CU Denver and Metro State University. Congratulations to you both. May you continue to work effectively in the Kingdom, which is inside and outside the church walls. By Mary Tellis Allen & DeNesha Tellis CHURCH NEWS