In Focus #18: April 2004

From Desk of the Executive Director …

Ellen LaPointe, Executive Director

“Don’t just stand there, DO something!” Most of us have heard this admonition at some point. It may have been directed at us personally; perhaps we’ve even said it to someone ourselves. The intention behind these words is to incite someone to take immediate personal action, most often in a particular moment of urgency or crisis. For some people, though, this command is not about situations or moments. Rather, it’s a way of life, and a motto for living fiercely and with intention.

Just this week, I had the honor of standing in a sea of hundreds of these individuals as we rallied against the California Governor’s proposal to cap funding for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program and create waiting lists for access to life-saving AIDS drugs. It was inspiring to stand together, and heartening to know that our message was being heard.

“It’s like the old days,” I overheard someone say to a friend. “I haven’t seen a gathering like this in years.” As we all basked in the energy of our collective effort to “do something,” it was clear that ours was an important achievement. Yet we know we can ill-afford to become complacent as this is just the beginning of what is sure to be an uphill battle.

Project Inform will continue to “do something” in the fight against AIDS every day, and for as long as it takes. One major undertaking this year will be the Immune Restoration Think Tank (IRTT), which brings together some of the world’s leading thinkers from various scientific disciplines to focus on the problem of advanced HIV disease. IRTT was created over ten years ago by the late Jesse C. Dobson, who personified the notion that people living with HIV can take effective action in their fight against HIV. Although Jesse lost his battle with AIDS, his commitment continues to live on in our work.

We thank each of you for standing with us in this work. On behalf of everyone who is affected by HIV, I thank you for being do-ers.

Ellen LaPointe

Project Inform Welcomes Five New Board Members!

Stuart Burden
Stuart Burden has over 15 years of experience in international grant making, community affairs and government affairs. Currently, he serves as the Director for the Americas within the Worldwide Community Affairs Department of Levi Strauss & Co. and the Levi Strauss Foundation. In this role, he is responsible for the strategic direction of the philanthropic, employee community involvement and external relationship-building activities in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Latin America and South America. In addition, he coordinates the funding for HIV/AIDS programs worldwide and manages a special grant making initiative in the Philippines and South Africa.

Adrian Tyler
Adrian Tyler directs consumer protections and consumer advocacy strategies with SBC California. He has served on the board of the Black Coalition on AIDS, as well as the Black Adoption Placement and Research Center, and volunteers at several community organizations. Adrian says there are three reasons he decided to join Project Inform’s board. “I lost a dear friend last year who valued PI’s work; I’ve found myself with more personal time for the type of work that PI does; and the persistence and commitment of board president Steve Lew!”

Michael Jon Gray
Michael Jon Gray is a certified public accountant. He began his private tax practice in 1989 and handles over 1,000 individual clients as well as over 150 small corporations, partnerships, and trusts. Michael has served on the boards of the Boy Scouts of America and Family Services of San Mateo, and was a founding member of the Board of Directors of Under One Roof, where he served as Treasurer during their first eight years.

Trish Schmeltz
Trish Schmeltz is engaged in extensive volunteer and board-level work with AIDS and other community organizations including the California Autism undation. Trish first became acquainted with Project Inform when a friend from work encouraged her to ride on Charles Schwab & Co.’s team for the Ron Wilmot Bike Ride (see related story below). In 2000 and 2001, she also rode in California AIDS Ride 7 and Paradise AIDS Ride in Hawaii, raising thousands of dollars for AIDS services. As a new Board member, Trish considers the information component of Project Inform’s mission especially compelling, saying “I believe that life is all about making choices, and making informed choices are the healthiest.”

Brian Whitford
Brian Whitford has been a volunteer with Project Inform since 1996 and was recently elected to serve as Volunteer Representative on the Board of Directors. Brian is eager to do his part on the board, saying, “I will do all I can to honor the trust that [the other volunteers] have placed in me.” Brian, whose regular hotline shift is Saturday from 10am–1pm, recalls his initial contact with Project Inform after learning he was HIV-positive in 1993. “I was trying to find out how long I had to live and even though there was no clear answer, my asking of it was taken seriously and I was given information within a context and with attribution to sources which gave me confidence.” Brian says he hears that same first question from callers to this day, “reminding me that many of the facts that we take for granted after so many years within the AIDS community are still new to so many folks out in the broader world.”

Funder Focus: A Paragon of Community Involvement …

Interior designer Greg Henson & Jeff Brooks with the real owners of wOrldware, Rison & Carmel.

Our friends at wOrldware have partnered with Project Inform for many years, by joining our Partners In Hope major donor program, by rallying others to attend our annual Evening of Hope and by supporting other events with in-kind donations from their home furnishings and design business. Jeff and Greg are the very paragon of community involvement, and understand the enormous impact each person can make to an important cause.

Most recently, Project Inform was honored to receive a generous donation of a portion of store sales during the month of February, totaling close to $3,000! Locally based in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley, wOrldware offers unique home furnishings, exquisite bath products and gift items from over 50 countries. As one of the city’s premiere boutiques, wOrldware also specializes in full service residential design. Bring the wOrld home at 336 Hayes Street (near Franklin) or online at www.wOrldwaresf.com. We are enormously grateful for wOrldware’s consistent and significant support of our programs and fundraising activities. Thank you, wOrldware!

Look for Jeff and Greg, and rest of the wOrldware cycling team at the Ron Wilmot Bike Ride on May 8, or consider joining them with a donation or by riding yourself. wOrldware has participating as a team for the last four years, and are a cornerstone of this fun and highly effective community fundraiser.

If you would like to support Project Inform and get great recognition for your business, contact Julie Doherty at 415-558-8669 x223 or jdoherty@projectinform.org. Remember your in-kind (non-cash) gift of goods or services are also much appreciated and tax deductible!

A Decade of Cycling Activism:

Join us for the 10th annual Ron Wilmot Bike Ride on Saturday, May 8!

This fun, and energizing seven-mile ride through Golden Gate Park has become one of Project Inform’s most important and much-loved fundraising events. The ride is dedicated to its founder Ron Wilmot, an avid cyclist who personally relied on Project Inform’s HIV treatment information to better manage his health. We treasure Ron’s legacy of activism, and urge you sign up as a Rider. Join other community volunteers, local businesses, avid cyclists, families and friends in supporting Project Inform’s vital programs.

Generous in-kind donations made by local businesses help cover the administrative costs so that more than 95% of the money raised goes directly to providing services.

We have ambitious plans for this year’s ride and encourage you to get involved to ensure the success of this fun, community fundraiser. Register as one of many individual riders, or consider forming a company team! Collaborate with at least five of your co-workers to set a group goal of $5,000 or more. Many local companies have matching gift programs that will make your fund-raising efforts go even further. As a perk, your company can get logo recognition on Bike Ride materials, a special feature on Project Inform’s website, and more! The sooner your company team registers, the more recognition your company receives.

So don’t delay. We’re counting on you to join us on May 8 at Peacock Meadow in Golden Gate Park. Register as a rider—encourage others to ride—and help to support Project Inform’s services.

For more information on the ride, please contact Julie Doherty at 415-558-8669 x223 or jdoherty@projectinform.org.

Increase in Volunteer and Intern Support in 2003

Each year, Project Inform is able to provide vital information on the treatment and management of HIV disease to anyone who needs it with the incredible support and dedication of our volunteers and interns, who play central roles within the organization. Over 140 individuals make up this volunteer body and they come to Project Inform from the community, representing the diversity of our constituency.

Volunteers and interns contributed 12,700 hours to Project Inform in 2003. Thank you!

Volunteers and interns work in all departments within the organization, helping Project Inform to further its mission. As can be seen in the chart at right, in 2003 volunteers helped staff Project Inform’s National HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Hotline and contributed to over 5,200 hours, making up over 41% of the total volunteer hours. Additionally, Project Inform had a 2% increase in administrative volunteer hours from 2002.

This increase was largely due to Project Inform partnering with The Arc of San Francisco, which works with individuals who have developmental disabilities. The work and support of these volunteers along with other administrative volunteers enabled Project Inform to do all of its mailings in house.

In total, volunteers and interns gave over 12,700 hours of service to the organization, which equaled six full-time staff positions. If you would like more information about the many volunteer and intern opportunities that are available or are interested in becoming a part of this incredible volunteer body, please contact Mark Owens, Volunteer and Intern Services Manager, at 415-558-8669 x218 or go to the volunteer page.

Merryvale Vineyards Launches
Wine Promotion to Fight AIDS

Proceeds benefit Project Inform through June 30, 2004

Profile, Merryvale’s legendary red Bordeaux-varietal blend, and Silhouette Chardonnay are at the pinnacle of the winery’s portfolio. Now through June 30, 2004, $5 from the sale of every bottle supports Project Inform.
Looking for additional ways to support Project Inform? Make a special toast for a cure while enjoying fine wine from Merryvale Vineyards. This family-owned Napa Valley winery will donate $5 to Project Inform from the sale of every bottle of 2000 Profile red blend and 2000 and 2001 Silhouette Chardonnay sold in participating markets through June 30, 2004.

“We are thrilled about this partnership,” says Project Inform Board President Steve Lew. “Faced with ongoing economic uncertainty and decreased funding, I am pleased to raise a glass to Merryvale for supporting our efforts to move AIDS research toward better treatments and, ultimately, a cure.”

Merryvale will conduct the drive in more than 20 key U.S. markets, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Boston, Dallas, Seattle, Chicago and Atlanta. “Merryvale has been blessed with wonderful support from the community over the years,” says President and Chief Executive Officer Peter K. Huwiler. “It means a lot to all of us to give back with what we hope will be a significant contribution to Project Inform. The generosity of the Schlatter family, Merryvale proprietors makes it all possible.”

For more details about upcoming wine-tasting events and dinners to rally support for the program, please visit our website or www.merryvale.com.

Project Inform Fights Governor’s Proposed Cuts to ADAP

More than 700 people from all over California rallied at the State Capitol in Sacramento on March 8 to protest Gov. Schwarzenegger’s proposed cuts to ADAP.

For years, California has demonstrated a strong commitment to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program. ADAP provides anti-HIV drugs to nearly 24,000 low-income uninsured and underinsured Californians, 80% of whom make $18,000 or less annually. Without ADAP, they could not afford the average annual cost of HIV treatment which can range from $10,000-$15,000 for a simple regimen.

This year, however the state’s commitment to HIV care seems to have faltered. In early January, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger released his first budget proposal, which called for $25 million less for ADAP than needed. Lacking other funding, ADAP would be forced to remove whole classes of drugs from the formulary in order to address the deficit.

In addition to inadequate funding, the Governor is proposing a permanent cap on enrollment at its current level of 23,900 people. A minimum of 1,440 Californians would be placed on a waiting list annually under the cap. The Department of Finance estimates the savings generated by this action at only $550,000 per year. Yet, it would put hundreds of Californians at risk of severe illness and even death.

Project Inform and others have responded to this dangerous proposal by organizing rallies and lobby days, as well as advocating with the State Legislature to reject it. Californians affected with HIV must make it clear to the Governor that ADAP is an essential healthcare program. Failing to fund ADAP adequately threatens the health of thousands of low-income HIV positive Californians and costs the state money. Without access to medications, people are forced into much more expensive acute and emergency care and sometimes hospitalization. To learn more about how to get involved in this effort, call Project Inform’s public policy department at 415-558-8669 x208 or x224, or email them at tan@projectinform.org.