New York buyers club to open for people with AIDS (12831)

The New York Buyers Club, a nonprofit organization that helps purchase vitamins and nutritional supplements for people with HIV, hepatitis C, and other chronic conditions, will begin operations on July 1. The member-led organization will fill a void left in 2000 by the closure of the People With AIDS Health Group and Direct Access Alternative Information Resources in 2003. Members of the buyers club will offer information, support, and affordable access to nutritional supplements and other health products. The program will consist of a purchasing co-op, information on using complementary and alternative treatments, public forums, informal support and discussion groups, online discussion groups and bulletin boards, referrals to health practitioners, and partnerships with other New York City-area community-based organizations.

"Many people living with HIV/AIDS and/or hep C are often very financially stressed by dealing with their conditions, and a buyers club offers a way to obtain useful nutritional supplements at a reasonable cost," says NYBC board president Kendall Morrison. "But we also want to help each other understand what's worthwhile, based on our own experiences."

NYBC is currently recruiting members. The organization will hold a community meeting to introduce itself to the general public and press, answer questions, and invite people to become members on June 30. The meeting will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center, 208 W. 13th St. in Manhattan. For more information about the buyers club, log on to its Web site at www.newyorkbuyersclub.org.