KC CARE was founded in 1971 as the Westport Free Health Clinic, operating out of the lobby of the Alcazar Hotel. Volunteers provided no-cost care for anyone in the community, and there was a particular need among veterans, senior citizens, and hippies. That’s where they came up with their first motto: “A healthy hippie is a happy hippie!”

In the 1980s, a disease with no name began devastating the United States. What began on the east and west coasts quickly moved inland, and it wasn’t long before Kansas City saw people becoming ill in large numbers too. Most of the impacted people were young, gay men. Fear and misinformation prevailed in the media, and people experiencing symptoms of the mysterious new disease had few places to turn. KC CARE, known at the time as Kansas City Free Health Clinic, became the first place in western Missouri where people could receive anonymous testing and counseling for what was later identified as HIV.

In 1992, KC CARE leaders joined forces with leaders from SAVE, Inc., the Good Samaritan Project, and HARCMart to create the AIDS Service Foundation of Kansas City. Together, the groups developed a cooperative funding strategy to ensure reliable care remains available for all people with HIV in the community.

In the years since, KC CARE’s HIV education, testing, prevention, peer navigation, linkage to care, case management, and medical services have been supported by additional sources of funding. KC CARE became a Ryan White recipient in 1993, receiving federal funds dedicated to caring for people with HIV. KC CARE continues to be a national leader in HIV prevention and treatment, and we are the largest HIV services provider in Kansas City.

About 1 in 8 people in the US who have HIV do not know they have it.

PrEP is a once daily pill that can prevent HIV, but only about 25% of people who can benefit from it have access. Among women, that number drops to 7%.

Cisgender men who have sex with men account for 56% of all people in the US with HIV, and 66% of new cases.

In a 2019 to 2020 study, 42% of transgender women in major cities in the US had HIV.

The Midwest has the highest percentage of people living with undiagnosed HIV of any region in the US.

HIV is most commonly acquired through sexual contact with someone who has HIV or by sharing needles with someone who has HIV.

Statistically, cisgender men who have sex with men, transgender women, and Black folx are more likely to be exposed to HIV. You can protect yourself and the people around you by:

• Using PrEP

• Asking your partner(s) if they are using PrEP, if they have HIV, and if they are virally suppressed if they have HIV

• Using condoms and internal condoms

• Get tested every three months and ask your partner(s) do the same

• Avoid sharing needles

If you acquire HIV, early symptoms can include fever, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, and sore throat. Occasionally, sores may appear in your mouth. Some people do not experience any symptoms. On average, it takes eight to ten years for your immune system to suffer noticeable changes. HIV can go unnoticed for long periods of time, so it is vital that you get tested regularly. Once the virus has weakened your immune system, it can be much more difficult to treat. You are also more likely to get sick because of your weakened immune system.

The first multi-antiretroviral drug therapy for HIV was introduced in 1996. Shortly thereafter, mortality rates fell by 50%. They have continued to decline in the 25 years since. In 2022, if you adhere to your medication, HIV has virtually no impact on your life expectancy. Most people can take a once daily pill for HIV and it will keep you virally suppressed. Viral load suppression means you can’t transmit HIV to others!

If you test positive for HIV at KC CARE, we can usually send you home with your initial supply of medication the same day.