Happy Birthday Buddies of NJ, Inc.

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We are so happy to have been here since the beginning and having a commitment to stay here until there is a cure.

1985 was the year of Buddies was incorporated but after several years of working out of our founder, Frank Smith’s house in Bloomfield.   We held the hands of people who were sick and dying.  We ran to pharmacies, grocery stores, and of host of other places to ensure these people had necessary living essentials.  We drove them to doctor’s visits and provided them with food.  Even more, we provided love, in the form of service… when nobody else would.

Today we are at the forefront of keeping people in care and living normal lives, preventing new lives from having to live with the virus, and helping to end the epidemics that can lead to HIV, one step at-a-time.

Help us continue the work we started…   TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF,  GET TESTED / KNOW YOUR HIV STATUS, GET INTO CARE / TREATMENT if needed, USE PREVENTION TOOLS: PrEP, condoms, talking with partners, abstinence, PEP and be undetectable, U=U!

Want to send a birthday gift?   Send a check payable to:

Buddies of NJ, Inc.

remit to:  Buddies of NJ, 149 Hudson Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601   attn: Patti Cuffe

Monkeypox Update & Links of Resources

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Monkeypox is a tricky thing to follow.  The limited information on a 50+ years old virus combined with a slow roll out of the millions of stock-piled vaccinations is enough for anyone to go, HMMMMM!  This is extremely frustrating.  New Bridge’s 2nd release of appointments were booked in under 15 minutes!  And other sites which claim to have them do not even pick up their phones.

There are no monkeypox experts on the team at Buddies of NJ. But… we are here to provide information and resources as they come in.

In listing the following, we want you to know that you should always consult your doctor first about health issues; in this case your ID doctor may be best.  Also some of these facts may apply to areas outside of ours and have not been checked for accuracy.  Yet, we believe that the sources are fair and equitable sources.

So, here is an updated list of provided resources:

Monkeypox spreads through close intimate contact and/or high concentration of respiratory droplets. Skin to skin contact, as well as skin to clothing surfaces that have it on it, is a way for transmission.

https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html

stigma/monkey pox:

https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/reducing-stigma.html

Fact Sheet:

https://www.cdc.gov.poxvirus/monkeypox/pdf/Monkeypox_Stigma_508.pdf

Monkey Pox for sexually active people-website:

https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/sexualhealth/index.html

Fact sheet:

https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/pdf/MonkeyPox-sexually-active-InfoSheet-508.pdf

Social Gatherings, safer sex, Monkeypox:

https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/specific-settings/social-gatherings.html

Fact sheets:

https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/pdf/MonkeyPox-SaferSex-InfoSheet-508.pdf

https://www,cdc/pox/poxvirus/monkeypox/pdf/MPX_Social_Gatherings_Safer_Sex-508.pdf

5 things to know about Monkey Pox PSA: You Tube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GziSwQTo4A

If you are at risk, the vaccination could save you a lot of problems.

Newsweek reports on long-lasting scarring.

 

WHAT I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT MONKEYPOX… CLICK HERE

2nd Round of Monkeypox Vaccinations at New Bridge MC

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Monkeypox cases have nearly doubled in New Jersey in the last week from 45 to 89, according to the latest state Department of Health report. READ MORE

 

Monkeypox spreads through close intimate contact and/or high concentration of respiratory droplets. Skin to skin contact, as well as skin to clothing surfaces that have it on it, is a way for transmission.

BERGEN New Bridge Medical Center

… is providing vaccinations tomorrow from 7am to 10am by appointment.

Full Vaccination is 2 shots / 4 weeks apart.

 

Here is the link to schedule an appointment:
FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BY APPOINTMENT

 

If you are at risk, the vaccination could save you a lot of problems.

Newsweek reports on long-lasting scarring.

 

WHAT I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT MONKEYPOX… CLICK HERE

Monkeypox Vaccination Available

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Monkeypox cases have nearly doubled in New Jersey in the last week from 45 to 89, according to the latest state Department of Health report. READ MORE

 

Monkeypox spreads through close intimate contact and/or high concentration of respiratory droplets. Skin to skin contact, as well as skin to clothing surfaces that have it on it, is a way for transmission.

BERGEN New Bridge Medical Center

… is providing vaccinations tomorrow from 7am to 10am by appointment.

Full Vaccination is 2 shots / 4 weeks apart.

 

Here is the link to schedule an appointment:

 

If you are at risk, the vaccination could save you a lot of problems.

Newsweek reports on long-lasting scarring.

 

WHAT I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT MONKEYPOX… CLICK HERE

Summer Celebration 2 @ CALABRIA Room at Costa’s Jul 31 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

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PLEASE JOIN
THE IMPERIAL COURT OF NEW YORK AND
THEIR MOST IMPERIAL SOVEREIGN MAJESTIES
EMPEROR XIII, AND REGENT EMPEROR XXXI RON & EMPRESS XIII, XXIII, AND REGENT EMPRESS XXXVI ANNE TIQUE
FOR

SUMMER CELEBRATION 2: AN AFTERNOON OF FOOD AND FUN

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2022
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
TICKETS: $50
PURCHASE AT: ICNY.ORG/SUMMERCELEBRATION

THE CALABRIA ROOM AT COSTA’S
120 CHESTNUT STREET
ROSELLE PARK, NJ 07204

NET PROCEEDS BENEFIT BUDDIES OF NJ, INC. & THE TYLER CLEMENTI FOUNDATION

NJ Monkeypox Information

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NJ is up to 8 cases of Monkeypox.  It is nothing to fear if you stay educated and use preventative measures… and just as if you were exposed to HIV, you can go for immediate treatment which may stop the virus in its tracks.

Vaccine Information

Vaccine is currently being administered only to people known to have had close contact with someone infected with monkeypox. If you think you have been exposed, discuss this with your health care provider and local health department right away. Vaccine access will likely be expanded in the future. Check with your local health department or visit this page for updates on vaccination.

 

READ MORE:

NJ.GOV:  https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/monkeypox.shtml#1

MATT FORD had monkeypox: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/bursts-of-sharp-jabbing-pain-what-its-like-to-have-monkeypox-e2-80-93-and-the-fight-against-stigma/ar-AAZ7hfL

POZ MAGAZINE (Excellent Article):  https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/monkeypox-need-know

 

 

 

What is PEP? Is it different than PrEP?

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Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

Photo of a patient examining medication with doctor

PEP is the use of antiretroviral drugs after a single high-risk event to stop HIV seroconversion. PEP must be started as soon as possible to be effective—and always within 72 hours of a possible exposure.

Resources for Consumers

Basic PEP Q&As – learn the basics about PEP and if it’s right for you.

PEP 101 Consumer Info Sheet (English and Spanish) pdf icon[PDF – 706 KB]

PrEP vs PEP

What’s-the-Difference-Between-PrEP-and-P

What is the difference between PrEP and PEP?

Pre-exposure prophylaxis is also known as PrEP. It is an HIV prevention medication in which HIV-negative people take an oral pill once a day before coming into contact with HIV. This helps to reduce their risk of HIV infection. The drug must be taken for at least 7 days to reach optimal levels of protection against HIV.

​

This contrasts post-exposure prophylaxis also known as PEP. PEP is an HIV prevention strategy in which HIV-negative people take anti-HIV medications after coming into contact with HIV to reduce their risk of HIV infection. PEP must be started within 72 hours after HIV exposure.

​

To learn more about PrEP, check out:

https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/hiv-prevention/using-hiv-medication-to-reduce-risk/pre-exposure-prophylaxis

​

To learn more about PEP, check out these sites:

https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/hiv-prevention/using-hiv-medication-to-reduce-risk/post-exposure-prophylaxis

Family Pride at B.C. ZOO

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Pride at the Zoo (Bergen County Zoo)

Saturday, July 9, 2022
11:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Paramus

Pride at the Zoo (Bergen County Zoo)

Celebrating our LGBTQ+ Community with a fun-filled day for the family! Come enjoy the music, food trucks, and activities!

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