Belinda Trevino-Cantu Charity Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation
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wo of the main mottos at the Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation are #Knowyourstatus and #beHuman. Hashtags are IN, but the Wellness Foundation wants AIDS OUT. Belinda Cantu, Committee Member on the Red Ribbon Ball and originator of Corpus Christi’s World AIDS Day is on a mission: To end the stigma. But it doesn’t end at AIDS. The foundation, once called the Coastal Bend AIDS Foundation, changed its name in 2013 to better identify what they’re all about. Over the years, the agency turned into a multi-faceted organization providing an array of services, including substance abuse treatment, youth wellness programs, and addressing additional community health needs. Cantu has intimate ties and a compassion for empowering women, the LGBT community, and of course, those with HIV/AIDS. Friends of Cantu had passed due to the disease, and she started to branch out to the transgender community because it hit home for her. Thus #beHuman was born. #beHuman is a mission to support transgender teens and their families. A place they can come and take refuge. “I am currently organizing a benefit concert with local artists and guest speakers sharing their stories to bring awareness of the transgender community and to unite us all in the same mission....#beHuman,” says Cantu. Becoming personally involved in this foundation is where Cantu is fulfilling her purpose. “I advocate safe sex and living a safe and healthy lifestyle. I am not here to judge anyone. I have met some great people who have turned into wonderful friends who are living with HIV/AIDS. This disease does not discriminate. It can affect anyone,” Cantu wants everyone to understand. The foundation offers free and confidential HIV testing along with educational materials. “We serve the 12 surrounding counties with more than 800 people affected with the HIV virus. Although the numbers world-wide have decreased and the medical advances have helped patients stay healthy, we still have so much to do,” reminds Cantu. HIV/AIDS should never define someone. Education. Awareness. Strength through diversity. Confidence. Humor. Life. These are the things that matter.
Inner beauty is a reflection of your soul. It’s what has been instilled in you by God. Galatians and Proverbs talk about a virtuous woman and the fruit of the spirit. [the lifestyle magazine of the coastal bend]
thebendmag.com
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