Mother and Child Alliance

09/02/2026

You're pregnant! You probably have a lot of things on your mind. Make sure one of those things is a syphilis test.

We've teamed up with the Mother and Child Alliance to tell you why⬇️

Syphilis is a common infection that’s spread through s*x — and it can be passed to babies during pregnancy, causing congenital syphilis.

Congenital syphilis can cause pregnancy complications, like miscarriage, still birth, prematurity, and low birth weight.

Babies born with congenital syphilis can have:
➡️Deformed bones
➡️Enlarged liver and spleen
➡️Jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)
➡️Brain and nerve problems, like blindness and deafness
➡️Meningitis

Syphilis is treatable. But you need to be tested first.

The Illinois Prenatal Syphilis Act makes sure you get the care you need. Healthcare providers are required to screen for syphilis at two points during pregnancy:
✔️During the first prenatal visit
✔️During the third trimester (28-32 weeks)

Syphilis is also preventable.
✔️Use condoms or dental dams every time you have s*x.
✔️Get tested frequently for STIs.
✔️Have honest conversations with your partner about their STI status. Even if it feels awkward, it shows you care about your health AND theirs.

✅Get tested.
✅Get treated.
✅Give your baby a healthy start.

🔗Learn more about syphilis and congenital syphilis: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/stds/syphilis.html
☎️Call the HIV/STD Hotline at 1-800-243-2437 if you have questions or want to find out where to get tested.

08/31/2026

We’d like to spotlight our fantastic program coordinator, Denise Alcauter, who reached her one-year anniversary with MACA earlier this year!

Denise’s role with MACA means that she’s involved with multiple programs, including our 24/7 Illinois Perinatal HIV Hotline and Perinatal Syphilis Warmline, and she also supports monthly hospital reporting.

We asked Denise how she felt about this milestone, and she says:

“One year of making a difference for moms and babies! Feeling grateful for the opportunity to be part of work that supports healthier beginnings and stronger families.

“This past year has been filled with learning, growth, meaningful connections, and so many opportunities to make a difference. Thank you, MACA, for an amazing first year!”

We’re so grateful to have Denise and her talents on Team MACA.

08/28/2026

Here’s a look at this year’s AIDS Run & Walk Chicago, by the numbers ...

🍁 4 = number of weeks left till this year’s event on Saturday, September 26 at Soldier Field

👟 5K = length of route for the Walk & Roll (plus optional 5K/10K Run)

🏙️ 30+ = number of community organizations (including MACA) that benefit from funds raised, along with AIDS Foundation Chicago

👏 11 million = dollars raised by this event for local HIV organizations since 2001

❤️ 100%: How grateful we are to everyone who helps sponsor our team!

Funds raised by Team MACA at help power our programs to help make sure moms with HIV get the care and support they need, while preventing transmission of HIV to newborns across Illinois.

To join our squad, make a donation, or find out more, visit https://action.aidschicago.org/team/831156

08/26/2026

A round of applause for our friends with paws! In celebration of (August 26), here are a few pics of MACA team members and their canine friends.

At upper left is our perinatal analyst Evelyn with Nala. At upper right is our perinatal data manager Iyesha with Cookie. And at lower left is a glamor shot of Milo, who our program director Denise describes as “my favorite coworker, who is always available for moral support, snack breaks, and walks.” 🐾

08/24/2026

Big cheers for our exec director Anne Statton, who successfully completed this year’s SuperTri with TEAM TO END AIDS (T2 CHICAGO). Anne did both the SuperSprint on Saturday and the Sprint distance on Sunday.

Anne says, “I’m exhausted even after 9 hours of sleep! Saturday was a tough swim with 3-ft waves at Foster beach. Sunday was a rough run as the heat and humidity picked up.

“However, both were glorious sunny days filled with smiling faces and more than 7,000 happy athletes crossing the finish line.”

There’s still time to donate to Anne’s campaign and celebrate her crushing another triathlon! Contributions will help power MACA’s programs to support moms with HIV while protecting newborns from perinatal transmission.

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

08/21/2026

Some Illinois families and individuals have recently lost access to SNAP benefits because of new federal work requirements.

If you or your family lost SNAP benefits, it’s possible that you may be able to file an exemption. The State of Illinois’s ABE site has a portal where you can check: https://aberp.illinois.gov/screener/ABAWD?lang=EN

For those who aren’t exempt, Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) notes that customers can regain eligibility and meet the new work requirements by working, volunteering, or participating in a training or education program.

Find out more: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=177800

If you need help with applying for an exemption or filing an appeal, you can also contact Legal Aid Chicago at https://legalaidchicago.org

08/19/2026

This year’s is just a few days away! Our exec director Anne Statton has been training hard all year, raising funds for various causes along the way. This Sunday, August 23, is the biggie: Anne will be raising funds for MACA as part of TEAM TO END AIDS (T2 CHICAGO).

Anne writes: “I'm racing to change the story of women with HIV in our neighborhoods and our nation. Did you know that we can prevent transmission of HIV to infants in almost 100% of cases? But to do that we need to prioritize the health of the mother as well as the baby.

“That means we need to make sure that moms with HIV get tested so they know their status, and then get connected to the expert care and support they need to protect their own health as well as the health of their baby.”

Your donations help support this life-changing work that MACA has been doing for more than 26 years now. Can you chip in to help Anne cross the finish line?

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

08/17/2026

In honor of (August 17), we’re giving a shout-out to three of our fellow Illinois nonprofits whose work and missions we admire. We salute all of the hardworking nonprofits who do what they do to make the world a better place, every day!

• The Chicago Center for HIV Elimination (CCHE), which operates CCHE Village, is a research & service center dedicated to serving the Black s*xual- and gender-diverse communities on Chicago’s South side. Associated with UChicago Medicine, its mission is to eliminate HIV transmission in Chicago by 2041. https://www.hivelimination.uchicago.edu/

• Life Is Work Resource Center is a trans-led organization that educates, empowers, and organizes TLGBQ+ people from diverse backgrounds to secure safety, wellness, and justice for all. Its programs include case management, workforce development training, HIV testing/linkage, a food pantry, and much more. https://lifeiswork.org/

• Chicago House and Social Service Agency has been supporting individuals and families impacted by HIV with housing, health, and employment services for more than 40 years now — since 1985! Its comprehensive and affirming support empowers people to lead healthy and dignified lives. https://www.chicagohouse.org/

At MACA, we've been an official nonprofit for more than two decades now, since we were incorporated in March 2002. We love being a mission-driven organization that’s dedicated to helping others and serving our community. (Pictured at upper left: MACA staff at our 25th Anniversary Celebration last year.)

08/14/2026

Women and girls represent more than half of all people living with HIV across the globe. In the US, women account for approximately 1 in 4 people living with HIV and 1 in 5 new HIV acquisitions.

When it comes to HIV, it’s important to separate the truth from common misunderstandings and falsehoods—because those falsehoods lead to fear, denial, and stigma. All of which can result in people with HIV being discouraged from getting tested or seeking the care they need.

The truth is that HIV is a health condition that needs to be taken seriously—but it’s also true that there are medications that can help treat HIV and prevent transmission to others, and that people with HIV can live a long, full life.

Our friends at The Well Project - HIV and women recently shared this article that debunks some of the most common misunderstandings about HIV, and offers clear statements of fact to help dispel the fear and stigma.

Learn some basic realities about HIV – treatment, tests, transmission, and more – and help disrupt common myths about this health condition.

08/13/2026

Swimming to a cure! On Sunday, August 9 our exec director Anne Statton participated in A Long Swim, which raises funds for research into ALS (aka Lou Gehrig’s disease). Anne was joined by her sister Kersti and brother-in-law Bill for the event at Tower Road Beach in Winnetka.

One way that A Long Swim has supported collaborative ALS research is through funding a research fellowship at the Ozdinler ALS Research Lab at Northwestern School of Medicine in Chicago.

Anne is also continuing to train for this year's on August 23 with TEAM TO END AIDS (T2 CHICAGO) to raise funds for MACA. Donations to Anne’s Triathlon fundraiser will help power our programs to provide care and support for moms living with HIV, as well as our ongoing work to prevent congenital syphilis in newborns.

Want to help Anne cross the finish line? Sponsor Anne here: https://action.aidschicago.org/fundraiser/7135894