PI Action alerts & updates ... 2003

THE CURE: We Get What We Demand

How You Can Make A Difference

The history of AIDS has shown that a few people can make a dramatic difference. Without the passion and the concerted, organized effort of thousands of treatment and research activists over the last two decades, the landscape of available treatments to combat HIV disease today would likely be stark. And those treatments that were approved would likely be in the hands of only the lucky few with the means to afford them. Because of activists, tens of thousands of people with HIV/AIDS are now living longer and better lives. But the currently approved treatments are still not available to all who need them. At the end of the day, all of this success still does not add up to a cure. The need for effective activism is as urgent today as it has ever been.

There are many ways to get involved and support a search for better treatments, that are available to all who need them, and ultimately a cure for AIDS. The following are some ways that you can make a difference:

If you aren’t a member already, join Project Inform’s Treatment Action Network. TAN is a national grassroots network of people who write and call legislators and administrative officials on a variety of issues, mainly to improve access to treatment and care for people with HIV/AIDS. Starting in early 2004, TAN members will also receive updates on what Project Inform is doing in the areas of treatment and research advocacy, and suggestions on ways that people can get involved. This is the best way to keep up with our efforts to fight for a cure.

In addition, you will receive other Alerts and updates on important policy issues. Demanding a cure needs to go hand in hand with fighting for the healthcare programs that keep people alive and healthy. This means advocating for adequate funding for programs like the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, and protecting vital safety programs like Medicaid from harmful cuts and program changes. TAN members have made a difference for years on these and many other issues.

To join TAN, go to www.projectinform.org and click “Public Policy” or send an email to tan@projectinform.org with “Join/Cure” in the subject field.

Become a treatment and research activist and participate in identifying and removing barriers to scientific progress. One way to do this is by joining the AIDS Treatment Activist Coalition (ATAC). ATAC is a national coalition of longtime and newer treatment activists who are working together to end the AIDS epidemic by advancing research on HIV/AIDS. New members are always welcome and there are mentorship and training opportunities. The group communicates through an email listserve and there are several subcommittees addressing a variety of issues. To learn more about ATAC, go to www.atac-usa.org.

Organize in your local area to have meetings and/or write letters to elected officials about the need to put the cure back on the nation’s agenda, and for increased funding for AIDS research, treatment, care and prevention programs and other public policy issues facing people living with HIV/AIDS. For support in organizing, identifying key advocacytools and obtaining alerts that need action, make sure you join TAN or contact Project Inform’s public policy department at 415-558-8669 x224 or tan@projectinform.org. You can also find other national, state, and local policy resources at www.projectinform.org/org/presources.html.

Donate funds to AIDS research. There are several foundations that support and fund AIDS research. Examples of two include the Foundation for AIDS and Immune Research (FAIR) and the American Foundation for AIDS Research (AmFAR). Your dollars will go directly to fund AIDS research. Or you can donate money restricted for AIDS research to a local research institution like Philadelphia FIGHT, Whitman Walker Clinic in Washington DC, the Community Consortium or the J. David Gladstone Institute in San Francisco, or a clinic serving your community in your area.

Foundation for AIDS and Immune Research
127 Belle Avenue
San Rafael, 94901
415-454-2944

American Foundation for AIDS Research
120 Wall Street, 13th Floor
New York, NY 10005-3902
www.amfar.org

Philadelphia Fight
1233 Locust St.
5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
www.fight.org

The J. David Gladstone Institutes
P.O. Box 419100
San Francisco, CA 94141-9100
www.gladstone.ucsf.edu

Whitman-Walker Clinic
Development Department
1407 S Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
www.wwc.org

Volunteer
your time or donate funds to support organizations that have treatment advocacy programs. Donating your time, energy and talents at a local or national organization whose work includes fighting for a cure makes a difference. Helping to send out a mailing, file, answer phones, organize a fundraiser and/or participate in program work of an organization is an extremely valuable way of moving us all closer to the goal of a cure. Below are some organizations that work on treatment and research advocacy and could use your help.

Project Inform
205 13th Street, Ste 2001
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: 415-558-8669
www.projectinform.org

Center for AIDS:
Hope and Remembrance Project
Houston1407 Hawthorne Street
Houston, TX 77006
Phone: 713-527-8219
www.centerforaids.org

Treatment Action Group
Treatment Action Group
611 Broadway, Ste. 612
New York, NY 10012
212-253-7922 phone
www.aidsinfonyc.org/tag

AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition
101 West 23rd St. #2227
New York, NY 10011
Phone: 212-367-1279
www.avac.org

Gay Men's Health Crisis
The Tisch Building
119 West 24th Street
New York, NY 10011
212-367-1000
www.gmhc.org

AIDS Treatment Data Network
611 Broadway, Suite 613
New York, New York, 10012
Tel: 212-260-8868
www.atdn.org

National AIDS Treatment Advocacy Project
580 Broadway Suite 1010
New York, NY 10012
888-26-NATAP (888-266-2827)
www.natap.org

Global Campaign for Microbicides
c/o PATH
1800 K Street NW
Washington DC 20006
phone:202-822-0033
www.global-campaign.org

These are just a few ideas to help you get started as a treatment activist fighting for a cure. They might seem overwhelming, but the most important thing is to take the first step and choose an activity that is comfortable for you. We’re available to help and answer questions. Just write to tan@projectinform.org and put “Cure” in the subject field. Thank you for taking the time to be part of this important effort!

Prepared by Project Inform. For more information, call 415-558-8669, email tan@projectinform.org or go to www.projectinform.org.