Ripple PHX wants to continue to reach out to you in this time of social distancing due to the COVID-19. We recognize your participation and leadership in the confrontation to this pandemic and we want to provide you with important information for your health. As part of this great team, I am committed to helping my Latinx community by informing them about what many do not want to talk about, which is HIV prevention among other things. Over the past few months, I have been able to learn a lot about HIV. You do not have to be an expert in medicine to understand the topics we have presented this year.

It is never too late to gain awareness on these issues. On the website of ripplephx.org you will find all the articles that I chose for you. So that you know what to do if you ever need information about the effects of alcohol on sex, the importance of using a condom, knowing how to stop the stigma or simply knowing what are the right treatments for you. Do you know your treatment? Take advantage of this time at home to find out about it. Make sure you take all your medications at the right time. It is important that you keep in contact with your primary care physician.

If you want more information and want to know more about this organization, you can contact us through the following ways:

• Email: hello@ripplephx.org
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/RipplePHX/
• Phone: 480.788.6735

Your contribution to the confrontation to this pandemic is transcendental; we are aware of your questions, concerns, suggestions, and we propose:

• That you take care of yourself and support yourself in caring for those who need it most in your home and community. #StayAtHome.
• Do not feel alone. This is the time to demonstrate greater unity and solidarity; despite the distance, we are here to help you.
• No matter where you are, if you are a person with HIV, family member or friend, do not hesitate to contact us. We are here for you.

I want to thank with all my heart the people who were in charge of recruiting this great Lotería team, who week after week have known how to continue bringing information through the internet and social networks. We hope to continue, one more year, fighting together, to combat stigma and raise awareness about HIV.  Thanks to Jeremy and Jason @ripplePHX for believing in me and making me part of this family. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Also, to all of you who participated in our events (carnivals, shows etc.) and have been able to be with us week after week in our live broadcasts every Thursday through the RipplePHX Facebook page.  Thank you very much for your support.

To Stacy’s On Melrose, the place that opened the doors for us to start this project before the pandemic, many thanks to Stacy for giving us a great place to carry out our follies. We hope that the pandemic will pass soon and one day we will be able to return to perform again there.

And last but not least, a million thanks to the National Library of Medicine for funding this amazing project.

With lots of love,
Celeste Montiel