Mother and Child Alliance

10/15/2026

October is Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness about how to ensure for babies. This year we’re helping to amplify a basic but important message: “Give them room to breathe.”

Our friends at Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Illinois Department of Children and Family Services teamed up with Safe Kids Illinois to share these three simple steps to help keep sleeping infants safe.

Check out more infant sleep safety tips here:
https://dcfs.illinois.gov/for-families/safety/sleep-safety.html

10/13/2026

This Thursday, October 15, is National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day! 2026 is all about empowering Hispanic/Latine people to get tested for HIV, whether at home or a local testing center. This year’s theme is “Knowing your HIV status is a good place to start,” with community-led HIV testing events across the country to turn awareness into action.

Tips & links to check your status, via nlaad.org:

• Choose a free at-home self-test for privacy and convenience.
• Or visit a testing center for personal support from healthcare professionals.
• Order a free at-home self-test: together.takemehome.org
• Search for an in-person testing center: locator.hiv.gov

10/11/2026

Monday, October 12 is Indigenous Peoples’ Day. In honor of the occasion, Block Club Chicago compiled this feature that rounds up various cultural celebrations and educational activities, as well as Indigenous organizations you can support.

We've compiled a list of events and Indigenous organizations you can support in Chicago and beyond.

10/09/2026

Here are a few more pics of Team MACA rocking our new autumnal orange team shirts at this year’s AIDS Run & Walk Chicago! We were energized and empowered by the sun, the bright blue sky and lake, and all the fantastic MACA supporters who’ve chipped in to sponsor our team this year.

We’re currently at 67% of our goal, but there’s still time to help us get there! No donation is too small, whether it’s $5, $20, or more. Visit our team page: https://action.aidschicago.org/team/831156

10/07/2026

LeSherri James, the VP of our board and a MACA mom herself, has entered the Ryan Seacrest Foundation’s competition to host a brand-new podcast!

If LeSherri wins the “Top Host” contest, her show would be produced by iHeartRadio — plus she’d be a guest on Ryan’s show and win $25K.

LeSherri says, “I’m in the running to become the next Top Host, and I need your support! This opportunity could help me launch my own podcast and bring real conversations about faith, motherhood, HIV, mental health, and resilience to the mic.”

Please vote for LeSherri, and help us spread the word! You can vote for free once per day, and every vote helps. ❤️

🗳️ Vote here: https://tophost.org/2026/lesherri-james

10/05/2026

This past Friday we held our 10th annual Perinatal HIV Boot Camp for our incoming hotline fellows! Our president Anne Statton snapped these pics of medical director Lynn Yee, MD kicking off this day of training (left), and Ryan Kates, PharmD, presenting a lecture on HIV Pharmacology (right).

We're once again sending out a big welcome to these dedicated doctors who will be helping us keep our 24/7 Illinois Perinatal HIV Hotline powered up and ready to provide support for healthy moms and healthy babies!

10/02/2026

Did you lose your SNAP benefits because of the new federal SNAP work requirements?

Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has information that may be helpful in getting your benefits back.

✅ You can check to see if you might be exempt from SNAP work requirements by visiting https://aberp.illinois.gov/screener/ABAWD

✅ You can also find out how to regain eligibility and meet the new requirements by working, volunteering, or participating in a job training or education program.

Check out the available opportunities and resources here: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=177800

09/30/2026

Before draws to a close, we’re sharing some key facts from the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc.

🌙 Approximately 100,000 Americans live with sickle cell disease, a rare chronic condition that causes the red blood cells to harden and form a sickle shape. This causes severe and unpredictable pain, intense fatigue, frequent infections, and more.

🩸 Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States. It’s a rare disease, but it’s not an uncommon one.

🌍 Sickle cell can impact anyone. While many people with sickle cell are Black, it’s also prevalent in people who live in or can trace their roots back to the Middle East, Mediterranean, Central/South America, and South Asia.

September may be ending, but it’s worth raising awareness about sickle cell all year round — as we join together to push for better treatments, education, and outcomes.

Want to learn more about sickle cell? Follow the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc.

09/28/2026

We did it! AIDS Run & Walk Chicago for 2026 is in the books. We were blessed with sunny skies, a sparkling blue lake, and a huge crowd who turned out to support local HIV/AIDS organizations, including MACA.

Here are a few favorite pics from the day — including the big group photo of our team sporting our new autumnal orange team shirts.

We’re sending out love and gratitude to everyone who’s chipped in to sponsor us this year. ❤️ If the spirit moves you, there’s still time to help us reach our team goal.

Donate to Team MACA here:
https://action.aidschicago.org/team/831156

09/25/2026

New team shirt color reveal! After four years of rocking our distinctive lime-green team shirts at AIDS Run & Walk Chicago, we’re shifting to a new color this year: a nice, deep autumnal orange. 🍁

There’s just one day left till the big event — but there’s still time to sponsor Team MACA and help us each our goal. Even a small donation of $5 or $10 can make a big difference!

Chip in to sponsor our team here:
https://action.aidschicago.org/team/831156