Mother and Child Alliance

As part of the campaign, there will be a candlelight vigil at the Keith Haring Statue in the Chicago AIDS Garden. The event will take place this Friday, June 5, from 7:30 pm to sunset.

This is a nonpartisan community gathering for all who are concerned about the impact of the recent federal healthcare cuts on our neighbors, families, and loved ones.

From every corner of the country, communities will gather at sunset to honor the lives already lost and the millions more at risk if funding isn’t restored.

June 5 also marks 45 years since the first reported cases of what became known as AIDS, a reminder of what happens when government fails to act.

RSVP for the Chicago vigil here: https://www.sevendaysinjune.org/event/64/june-5th-candlelight-vigil/

If you’re not in Chicago, you can find an event near you and learn more about the Seven Days in June campaign here: sevendaysinjune.org

We’re supporting the Seven Days in June campaign — a national call to elevate health as a governing priority, with events taking place June 1–7.

Last year, Congress passed $1 trillion in healthcare cuts — with the most severe human and economic impact happening later this year. These cuts will have a disproportionate effect on people with HIV, among other vulnerable groups.

By the numbers: $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts =

• 15 million people losing coverage.
• 446 hospitals at risk of closing.
• 51,000 preventable deaths every year.

It’s simple: We all need convenient, affordable, high-quality healthcare. This isn’t a partisan issue — it’s our primary concern. $1 trillion in healthcare cuts will hurt.

Let Congress know how you feel. Stand with us and fight back.

Find an event: sevendaysinjune.org

Save the date! This year’s Chicago Disability Pride Parade will take place on Saturday, July 25th and the theme for 2026 is "Game On."

The parade will follow a route along Van Buren and Dearborn until it arrives at Daley Plaza for post-parade festivities. An open mic night is also planned, with more details to come.

For registration and further info, visit www.disabilityprideparade.org

The theme for this year’s is “More Good Days, Together.” The goal is to help people have more good days by meeting them where they are, supporting them as whole people, and understanding that “good” is subjective.

This approach encourages us all to reflect on what a “good” day looks like, both for ourselves and for our communities. Together, we can use that insight to connect people to the right support at the right time, and shape advocacy, education, and community engagement to make more good days possible for all.

Only you can define what a “good day” looks like to you. But you don’t have to carry the weight of “not-so-good” days alone. When we look out for one another, more good days become possible for all of us.

Find out more by visiting Mental Health America at https://mhanational.org/mental-health-month/

This past Saturday, our exec director Anne Statton participated in the 2026 event, in honor of Memorial Day and in support of health care for veterans. This annual race offers both a 10K and a 10-mile course that finish at Soldier Field. Anne and her nephew Patrick both ran the 10K this year.

This was the 22nd annual Soldier Field 10 run. The event raises funds for The Road Home Program at Rush — which provides veterans of all eras, active-duty service members, and their families with mental and behavioral health care regardless of their discharge status or ability to pay.

Psst! Our exec director Anne Statton has a birthday coming up in early June, and if you’d like to help grant her #1 b-day wish, you can chip in to her fundraiser for this year’s . Anne will once again be participating as part of TEAM TO END AIDS (T2 CHICAGO) to raise funds for MACA.

Here are a couple of pics of Anne with her T2 teammates from last year, as well as a super-duper early photo taken at 4 am before the start of the event!

Anne writes: “I'm fundraising to change the story of women with HIV in our neighborhoods and our nation. Will you support my efforts and join this movement?

“I chose to train, race, and fundraise to support Mother and Child Alliance so that pregnant people with HIV can get the support that they need for healthy pregnancies and have babies born free of HIV.

“Did you know that we can almost 100% prevent transmission to infants? However, the support needed for pregnant people to know their HIV status, get to undetectable, have a healthy pregnancy with support, and deliver a baby born free of HIV, is substantial.

“Please help us help connect pregnant people with testing, connect pregnant people with HIV to expert care, and provide the necessary supports to new mothers for the early care needed to help make sure babies stay free of HIV.”

Donate to Anne’s 2026 Chicago Triathlon campaign here:
https://action.aidschicago.org/fundraiser/7135894

May is National , and May 22 is World Preeclampsia Day! So we’re once again partnering with the Preeclampsia Foundation to help make sure that EVERY mother in any pregnancy knows the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs) including preeclampsia are a leading cause of maternal and infant illness and death in the United States.

• It's important to know the symptoms of : severe headache, swelling in the hands and face, visual issues, nausea and vomiting, stomach or abdomen pain, sudden weight gain, and/or shortness of breath.

• Preeclampsia can occur in any pregnancy, so ALL moms need to know.

• Moms are still at risk for postpartum preeclampsia, or high blood pressure, up to six weeks after delivery. It's important that women pay attention to specific postpartum symptoms, including severe headache, vision changes, swelling of the hands and face, and especially difficulty breathing.

• 60% of hypertension-related maternal deaths are potentially preventable.

• We can do better for pregnant and postpartum patients and their infants, but it takes us all: patients participating in research. Researchers receiving funding to investigate preeclampsia. Clinicians implementing what research shows saves lives. Policymakers prioritizing maternal health research funding in general and preeclampsia research in specific.

Find out more at https://www.preeclampsia.org/AwarenessMonth

Great news: we reached our goal for this year’s 🌷 fundraiser! We’re so grateful to all of you who chipped in to help us provide emergency funds for moms with HIV.

Our Dolores Benton fund, named for one of our longtime case managers, helps make sure that we can assist the moms in our program with things like housing, utilities, transportation, and other urgent needs, which can make all the difference in helping them stay healthy and engaged in care.

Pictured is a favorite vintage photo of our exec director Anne Statton (at left) with her mom (at right) and three of her sisters.

Thanks again for helping us keep moms and babies healthy!

For National Women’s Health Week, our friends at Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) shared this important message:

“It's no secret that women often put their own health on the back burner to care for others in their life. But without healthy women, we won't have a healthy society.

“This , we're encouraging all women of all ages to make their health their priority.🩷 It's time to celebrate the resilience, empowerment, and unique experiences that shape women's well-being.”

Find more information about IDPH's women's health services: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/life-stages-populations/womens-health-services.html

This past Saturday, May 9, our exec director Anne Statton and members of her family participated in Cinco de Miler, a scenic 5-mile run that delivers a blend of fitness, fun, and fiesta. This year the event moved to Union Park in Chicago.

And best of all, this year’s event once again raised funds for Gilda's Club Chicago! Named in honor of the legendary Gilda Radner, Gilda's Club provides support groups, counseling, education, and much more for cancer patients, families, and friends navigating one of life's hardest roads.