In Focus #10: August 2000

Meeting the HIV Treatment Information Needs of HIV-positive Latinas/Latinos

Since the beginning of the epidemic, HIV/AIDS has disproportionately impacted minority communities in America. Today, people of color represent the majority of new AIDS cases and of Americans living with AIDS. In 1999, Latinos/as represented 20% of all new AIDS cases but are 13% of the population. AIDS is now the third leading cause of death among Latinos/as, ages 25–44.

And, while overall AIDS-related deaths have declined, it has been much slower among minority populations. Racism, economic inequality and cultural differences contribute to an alarming disparity in healthcare. Project Inform is committed to closing the treatment information gap in these communities.

Thanks to a grant from the Red Hot Organization, in 1999 Project Inform began translating many of its publications into Spanish. Today, our Spanish language services have grown to include a searchable Spanish language HIV website, a call-back service on our national hotline, and more than 50 treatment publications. This fall, with the generous support of San Francsico AIDS Walk 2000, Project Inform’s Spanish language services will expand tremendously with adding a Spanish Language Services Coordinator.

The coordinator will help integrate Spanish language services throughout Project Inform. The coordinator will facilitate the translation of publications and the recruitment and training of bilingual hotline volunteers as well as providing a consistent bilingual presence on the hotline. By bolstering these services, we will better target our outreach to thousands of Latinas/os living with HIV across the nation.

Project Inform Welcomes Diverse Group of New Hotline Volunteers and Board Members

Each year, Project Inform volunteers contribute over 19,000 hours of service supporting a wide variety of programs. This year, Project Inform has expanded its efforts to recruit volunteers who represent the diversity of our constituency. At a recent Hotline training, ten volunteers—including three women, three people of color and two bilingual English/Spanish speakers—successfully completed the training and went on to join the 65 other volunteers.

Project Inform is also pleased to welcome three new members to the Board of Directors. This past September, Michael Mendiola joined the Board. A teacher at both the Pacific School of Religion and the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Michael has also worked as Project Director of the Faith and Health Consortium. In January, Robby Perkins was elected after volunteering with the organization for seven months as one of our hotline operators. An MBA graduate from Harvard, he has worked for several companies, including Lucent Technologies and Net TV. Mark Cloutier, a former Legislative Assistant for Senator Barbara Boxer joined the Board in March. Mark is a healthcare consultant and has both an MPP and MPH from the University of California. These three bring their talents, diversity and energy to Project Inform and are a welcome addition to our hardworking Board.

Additionally, Steve Suacci, was recently elected by Project Inform volunteers as Volunteer Representative to the Board of Directors, joining Steve Black, veteran Representative. An active hotline volunteer, member of the speakers bureau and special events volunteer since September 1996, Steve brings the volunteer perspective to the Board as well as be a full voting member. For more information about volunteering at Project Inform, please contact Mark Owens at 415-558-8669 x218.

Dear Friend of Project Inform

As you know, this year marks Project Inform’s 15th anniversary. Over the course of that time, we have worked tirelessly to empower people living with HIV and AIDS with accurate information and effective treatments. But now there’s a new and unexpected crisis that poses a serious threat to the health and well-being of individuals living with HIV throughout the world.

Now that the control of HIV so demonstrably has been shown to lead to improved health for so many, we are confronted with a sudden resurgence of the AIDS equivalent of the flat earth society. A few extremely vocal people claim that HIV is harmless and does not cause AIDS, and that the epidemic was caused by the very drugs which have just recently begun to bring it under control.

These denialists target minority communities and have influenced the leader of at least one major African nation. People living with HIV in Africa need healthcare infrastructure, access to treatment, and services now more than ever. We fervently hope that the denialists do not succeed in sidetracking these urgent efforts, diverting attention and resources into debating issues long resolved in the scientific community.

We at Project Inform will continue to staunchly and effectively communicate accurate information, giving people facts in the face of myths and hope instead of despair. The misguided rhetoric of the denialist movement must not be allowed to plant the seeds of a new round of death in the U.S. or derail fledgling efforts to bring AIDS under control in developing nations.

Academy of Friends Honors Project Inform’s 15th Anniversary with $100,000 Gift

By all accounts, it was an evening of delicious food, bubbly champagne and fabulous outfits at the Academy of Friends’ 20th Annual Academy Awards Gala to raise funds for Bay Area AIDS organizations. With over 3,500 in attendance, it was a smashing success raising over $575,000 through ticket sales, raffles, and a silent auction. AOF chose the occasion of its 20th anniversary to honor local agencies that have demonstrated 15 years or more of leadership in the HIV/AIDS service arena.

Project Inform was selected as one of eight beneficiaries and received $100,000 to support its advocacy programs. Over the years, Academy of Friends has been a sterling supporter of Project Inform, donating nearly $250,000 since 1994. In addition to the generous grant, AOF gave Project Inform a first-class trip to London courtesy of Virgin Atlantic Vacations for selling the highest number of BMW raffle tickets. Valued at over $1,600, the trip was used as the grand prize at Project Inform’s 6th Annual Ron Wilmot Bike Ride.

A special thanks goes out to the Board Members of Academy of Friends and all the volunteers who made the event such a success! To view pictures of the party and to read more about its success, visit www.academyoffriends.org.

Sixth Annual Ron Wilmot Bike Ride for Project Inform a Huge Success

Riders from around the Bay Area raise funds for important HIV/AIDS treatment and education programs.

San Francisco, CA. May 15, 2000 — More than $80,000 was raised in support of Project Inform’s HIV treatment information and education programs through this year’s Ron Wilmot Bike Ride in Golden Gate Park.

San Francisco Supervisor Mark Leno launched over 112 riders on the seven-mile fun ride through Golden Gate Park by noting, “Just like Ron, each of you is making a difference today by helping Project Inform provide critical treatment information. Your efforts today are not only a great contribution to the fight against AIDS but a tribute to Ron’s memory—and the continued growth of the PI family.”

Ron Wilmot, an HIV/AIDS activist, avid cyclist and long-time Project Inform supporter, started the Ride in 1995. Because Ron had just gotten out of the hospital the week of his first ride, he received special clearance from his doctor to participate in a shortened seven-mile ride. Before he died of AIDS 1997, Ron challenged his family, friends and community to continue this local ride in which everyone—particularly people with living with HIV/AIDS—could participate. Since then over $350,000 has been raised. This year alone riders raised over $80,000.

As they have for many years, Ron’s mother Pat Wilmot and sister Pam Perillo and her family came from Chicago to participate. Pam confessed, “I’m not a natural-born cyclist, but it’s important for us to continue the Ride in Ron’s name and spirit. The event has become a reminder of Ron’s commitment to Project Inform and the difference one person can make in ensuring that treatment information is readily available.”

This year’s outstanding success could not have happened without the generous support of sponsors like American Airlines, the GAP, the Castro Lions Club, Levi’s, SF Frontiers News Magazine, VooDoo Cycles and Zephyr Real Estate. The Positive Pedalers bike club supported the event, collectively and individually. Home furnishings retailer, wOrldware, assembled a company team that rode a six-person surrey. Generous donations made by these and other local businesses helped cover the administrative costs. Over $13,000 in goods and services was donated.

Many went home with terrific raffle prizes including a trip for two to London, via The British Tourist Authority and Virgin Atlantic Vacations; a dream vacation to the Virgin Islands, donated by American Airlines and The Inn at Blackbeard’s Castle; weekend getaways to La Posada de las Palmas Resort in Palm Springs, four-star Serrano Hotel in San Francisco, Parker House Bed & Breakfast and Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe; dinner at local restaurants; and a bike clothing package donated by VooDoo Cycles.

We gratefully acknowledge the individuals and companies who have underwritten costs or made significant contributions to the 2000 Ron Wilmot Bike Ride.

Ron Wilmot Bike Ride Supporters

Event Patrons
American Airlines
British Tourist Authority & Virgin Atlantic Vacations
BTG Pharmaceuticals
The Perillo Family
San Francisco Frontiers Newsmagazine
Pat Wilmot

Event Supporters
Kathy Bailey & Jen Bergerson • GAP • Joe Gillach & Tim Gerwin • The Inn at Blackbeard’s Castle • Levi Strauss • Positive Pedalers • Julie Simpson • Zephyr Real Estate

Event Contributors
Castro Lions Club • Mary Ann & Robert Forsland • Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe • The Parker House Bed & Breakfast • La Posada de las Palmas Resort • Serrano Hotel • VooDoo Cycles

Company Team
wOrldware

Special Thanks
2223 Restaurant • 3 Ring • Alfred Schilling Restaurant • Bagdad Cafe • Barcelona • Ben & Jerry’s • Bubble Lounge • Buffalo Foods • Cliff’s Variety • Cole Hardware • The Crustacean • Cypress Club • Fuzio • Hayes Street Grill • I Love Chocolate Bakery • Jardiniere • Just Desserts • La Mediterrane • The Meeting House • The Majestic Hotel • Noah’s Bagels • Nob Hill Noshery • Peet’s Coffee & Tea • Puccini & Pinetti • Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker • Shame On the Moon Restaurant • Thirsty Bear • Tokyo GoGo

Thank You to All Ron Wilmot Bike Ride Participating Riders
Matthew Abergel • Gregg Andrews • Rocio Arrango • Lucky Beecham • Phil Berg • Steve Black • Nancy Boutilier • Mark Bowers • Larry Bragg • Jeff Brooks • Heidi Brown • Jonathan Burton • Nicholas Burton • Don Button • Brian Byrdsong • James Casad • Thompson Chambers • Sana Chehimi • Patrick Child • Ryan Child • Lloyd Cowan • Glen Cron • Micheal D’Arata • Martin Delaney • Joe Dimilia • Anne Douglas • David Dunbar • Michael Dunne • Adrian Elwell • David Evans • Kathy Foerner • Joshua Friedman • Joe Garrett • Frank Gaston • Michael Ginther • Myrel Glick • Donnie Goodman • Garrison Grace • Bob Gutschick • Erika Gutschick • Jim Gutschick • Brian Haley • Sheila Hall • Brandon Hebert • Jonathan Hebert • Billy Hirsh • Greg Henson • Larry Huckestein • Anne Hughitt • Alex Ingersoll • Ereck Jarvis • Elijah Jatovsky • Bob Johnson • Yoel Kahn • Ron Kos • Mark LaChey • Jeffrey Lactaoen • Margie Levinson • Ron Lezell • Ed Likely • Charles Lowder • Bruce MacDonald • Carl Mackewicz • Karen Marek • Zack Marlais • J.S. Mattingly • Casey McGuire • Jim McLaughlin • Kevin McLaughlin • Jeff Meyer • Edith Moning • Patrick Monk • Greg Morris • Kay Morris • Al Munoz • Bill Murphy • Karen Nielsen • Lisa Ochs • Jim O’Donnell • Cindy Opsahl • Dyane O’Sullivan • Pam, Dave, Jenny, and Mickey Perillo • Robby Perkins • Lynda Pike • Eric Politzer • Bill Roberts • Kevin Roe • Joseph Roma • Avi Rose • Janice Rothstein • Lea Salem • Trish San Felipe • Garrett Sanford • Lee Scarborough • Bob Scheible • Theresa Schreiber • David Shaber • Jack Shallow • Gene Shearer • Sonja Shield • Larry Smyle • Greg Starr • David Stein • Gary Streng • Abigail Tammi • Jesse Tannenbaum • Tom Teasley • Taryn Thomas • Dale Thompson • Owen Travers • Ken Turner • Deborah Udin • Raymond Vogelzang • Dean Ward • Heidi Werbel • Pat Wilmot • Mary Wings • Laura Yee • Lance Younger

Annual Evening of Hope Dinners in San Francisco & Los Angeles

Project Inform Hosts Events at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in SF, & the Beverly Hills Hotel, LA

Mark your calendars and join us October 30 in San Francisco and/or November 13 in Los Angeles as Project Inform observes its 15th Anniversary of serving people with HIV, and will honor the many people living with HIV/AIDS, caregivers, and healthcare providers—both past and future—who choose hope over despair and help shape our nation’s response to this disease. You can make a real difference as we enter this landmark year. Formal invitations will follow at the end of September as the evening approaches. For more information about corporate sponsorship or underwriting opportunities, please contact Julie Doherty at 415-558-8669 x223.

Online Partnership with gay.com Yields Charitable Donations
Project Inform is pleased to announce a recent partnership with HIVlife, the HIV-positive living web site of gay.com. In addition to providing content and web links to the HIVlife site, Project Inform received $1 per download during the introductory period. We are grateful to our friends at gay.com and Neoplanet for this generous opportunity.

Project Inform Announces Special 15th Year Fundraising

As we enter our fifteenth year of serving individuals with HIV/AIDS, Project Inform’s aware that with the evolution of this epidemic our role as a provider of up-to-date treatment information has increased. We are making a concerted effort this year to request special gifts in recognition of this.

Unique Community Approach Impacts Federal and State HIV/AIDS Policy

Unlike many organizations, Project Inform’s public policy department was created to develop and facilitate a grassroots policy network, the Treatment Action Network (TAN). This project, started by volunteers, was founded on the belief that individuals most affected by the epidemic should have a voice in the legislative process. TAN is currently the largest national network of individuals responding to issues affecting people living with HIV/AIDS.

While the department has grown significantly over the years, the original philosophy of including people living with and affected by HIV in developing our priorities and involving others in policy remains the foundation of our work. Activities include policy analysis, direct lobbying, organizing lobby days, advocacy through coalitions, and community organizing.

The issues that the policy department chooses to prioritize come, in large part, from input we receive from our constituents through our hotline, town meetings, and other forums. For example, when many individuals expressed difficulty in accessing promising new treatments after the advent of protease inhibitors, we shifted our focus to advocate for increased federal and state funding for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program.

In addition, the policy department has earned a reputation for developing strong working relationships with other national and regional advocates. These coalitions are key to ensuring a diverse and inclusive policy agenda. Coalition work is also key to ensuring that policies reflect good public health and the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS.

Finally, the department has shown success not only in providing individuals the tools to communicate with officials, but in facilitating the development of leadership skills aimed at organizing local communities. Our trainings help inspire local advocates to form coalitions to address their needs. We have seen success in San Diego and New Orleans and are holding a training in Anchorage on September 19. We plan to organize similar events in other areas.

If you are interested in becoming part of the Treatment Action Network, or want to discuss an advocacy training, contact Ryan Clary at 415-558-8669 x224 or TAN@projectinform.org.

International Satellite Meeting on Women and HIV

Women from around the world have been working together to conduct a week-long women’s satellite meeting during the XIII International Conference in Durban, South Africa.

Titled Gender, Human Rights, Sexuality and HIV: New Challenges for Women in Prevention, Care, Treatment and Support, the meeting focused on steps needed to address the escalating crisis of HIV/AIDS among women in South Africa and other resource-poor nations.

Participants included women attending the International AIDS Conference and South Africans living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. The meeting included large treatment and policy-focused plenary sessions. It also included a “Women’s Space” where smaller skills-building and networking workshops were conducted.

Project WISE, Project Inform’s treatment information and advocacy program for women, helped develop workshops and presented one aimed at assisting women to recognize, prevent and treat common symptoms of HIV and immune suppression.

At a time when over half of new HIV infections occur in women, this meeting provided an opportunity for women to educate, mobilize and empower each other. Stay tuned for the next issue of WISE Words for a report on this groundbreaking meeting.