MARTIN DELANEY
Founding Director, Project Inform
December 9, 1945 – January 23, 2009

PI press release     Media coverage     Community remarks

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Martin Delaney, Founder, Project Inform

Felt obliged to write. I hadn't talked with Martin in years, and just learned of his death. I talked with him frequently in the 80s when I worked for Nature magazine. He was a sane voice in a difficult time. He will be missed.

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.” These words are usually attributed to Johann Goethe ... but I really think they were Marty's when he co-founded PI. The community and the movement lost an amazing leader when Marty passed. He will be missed. I feel fortunate to have seen him in action!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pls accept my condolences on the death of Martin. A great friend, and activist!

In the early 1990's, I was a young gay man living with my partner in suburban Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I was also a caregiver as my partner was living with HIV/AIDS. Following a diagnosis and unsuccessful treatment of pulmonary KS, my partner was told that nothing more could be done. Determined to fight on, we began a national search for effective treatments — a search that led us right to Martin Delaney and Project Inform. Through a personal phone call to our home in Milwaukee, Martin told us of the Phase III study of liposomal daunorubicin — a treatment that we believe was successful in reducing the rate of tumor growth. Though my partner died of AIDS-related complications in 1994, I will forever be thankful for Martin Delaney for being a voice of light to so many who were crying out for help during those darkest days of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

I was very saddended to hear the news of the passing of Martin Delaney. Martin was an innovator and lightning rod for both thought and action at a time when both of these were so desperately needed. I always viewed Martin as a vocal but collegial partner with both industry and the government who always reminded us of what our priorities needed to be, particularly during the early years of the AIDS epidemic. Martin will be sorely missed, but we can all take comfort in knowing how far-reaching and impactful his mission in life was. We all need to carry on his unfinished work.

I was out of the country as part of my Knight science journalism fellowship, and just learned this morning that Marty is gone. He was a great leader and a brilliant strategist. He helped to save millions of lives. He was a treasured expert and communicator who helped scores of journalists understand the science and politics of HIV/AIDS. I will miss him, and honor him for a life well-lived.

I send to all of Marty's friends and family and comrades at Project Inform my condolences on his passing. Marty was an ongoing inspiration in my life. I met him in September, 1968, a few days after (the legend goes) he got out of jail after protesting at the '68 Democratic Convention in Chicago. Marty was my 5th grade teacher. I believe we were his first class. He must have been 22 years old. During the course of that year, he became a giant, a hero for many of us in his class. We were 10 years old in suburban Chicago. He taught us to question authority. He treated us like adults. He had us read Orwell's _Animal Farm_ and William Golding's _Lord of the Flies_, books that most students do not read until high school or college. He had us writing poetry and short stories. He played Simon and Garfunkel in class and had us analyze the anti-war background lines in the song, Scarborough Fair. >> His scientific side showed as he rigged up a cigarette smoking machine where you could follow cigarette smoke through clear plastic tubes and watch how it collected in a facsimile of a human lung. >> My parents hired him to take care of me and my brother when they'd go on vacation. He took us out in the woods and taught us to build a fire and roast marshmallows. I didn't find out Marty was gay until I was in high school. As a sheltered child, I was surprised. It was my first experience knowing someone who was gay. Since then, through all these years of our society's pervasive homophobia, I've realized that knowing Marty as a young boy, and then later learning that he was gay, left me questioning: "What's there to fear?" >> We've stayed in touch. Last year, he helped our daughter with a research paper she was doing on HIV/AIDS at the University of Wisconsin. This is such a loss. How fortunate we all are that he got the real drug in that experimental trial at Stanford back a few decades ago, and then lived to touch so many.

I do remember what a great influence was in many different ways. His name in us is eternal. Peace with him and all of us needs to know he is rested in peace and glory which each of us remembers about him. Only 3 years ago, I was at Key West just having some .... coffee, let's say, and struck a conversation with a local person. He knew about Marty Delaney.

I am so sad to learn of Martin’s death. From the earliest days of the epidemic, it was obvious that Martin’s desire was to enable persons living with HIV/AIDS to live. He saved many lives. He was a true giant among men.

I am sorry to hear about the loss of such and important person to your agency and to the HIV/AIDS cause he was dedicated. I send my my sincerest condolences.

With sincere regrets for the loss of Martin Delaney to all of you at Project Inform. He will always be remembered for his profound work with HIV.

Please accept my sincere condolences on the death of Martin Delaney. He was a true giant in this field and although I have only met and interacted with him a few times, each experience was incredibly uplifting. He was indeed passionate about helping all — anywhere — affected by the HIV epidemic, and he kept researchers like myself with our feet on the earth and our heads out of the clouds. He was funny, generous, intelligent and sometimes belligerent when he needed to be. He was a fighter for hope. I will miss him.

My sincere condolences on the passing of Marty Delaney. I know he will be missed. Please keep me on the mailing list for the memorial service.

“This is sad and shocking news. I had no idea that Martin was acutely ill, though probably you were. He was, as your announcement says, a giant in the AIDS world, and will be sorely missed. His passing from the scene must remind all of us of how transient our time on earth is, and thus reinforce our determination to make the most of what time we have. in sympathy and solidarity.”

“I am so saddened to hear about Marty's passing. As an activist and person living with HIV I owe so very much to his incredible work. Please accept my sincere condolences on his death. I for one am a richer person for having known him.”

“With heavy heart and tears in my eyes, I write you to commend all of you wonderful people and Martin Delaney. My dear partner who passed over a year ago was the recipient of so much information from Project Inform. Project Inform was one of the few places I made donations. Whenever I needed info on something, I called, spoke to a very patient person and it seemed like a day that went by and I had that information. Mr. Delaney will be sorely missed, sorely missed. There are no words to express my gratitude to him and to all of you for what you have done for me and my beloved partner. I wish you God's hand in everything you do.”

“It was with a very heavy heart that I heard of Marty's passing today. As one of the first Americans diagnosed with HIV at age 19 in 2/82 while living in SF, Marty was a life saver for me. He also mentored and encouraged the activist in me and I credit him and many other lost loved ones as being the driving force behind my 28 years as an activist. Marty will be missed by so many from our community who owe him their lives.”

“Marty was my friend and one of my heroes. He was a giant and gave me hope way back when there just wasn't much going around. I once ran the San Francisco marathon to raise a couple of grand for Project Inform and Marty was at the finish line to pick up the check. At 65 I'm still running marathons and will run again at Carlsbad, Calif this Sunday. Years ago I did town halls with him giving people hope telling my running story and encouragement to make effective treatment decisions. It was an honor. Lets all commit to work even harder in his memory till there is a cure. Please let me know when the services are. I have to attend. I'll sure miss him. He was my bud.”

“I am so sorry to hear of Martin's passing. There will be many eloquent stories to be told for sure. Mine is quite simple: Marty and PI gave me hope when there was none. The town hall meetings and his inspiration were wind beneath our wings. Because of the feeling of hope, and his activism here and globally, many folks have had their lives extended beyond imagination. How can we thank someone for that? With profound gratitude to You Marty, and projectInform.

“I am sadden to hear this news. Our prayers go out to his family and friends. A truly great man has left us.”

“Martin was a great great man ... i owe my life to decisions made by his early embrace of going on combinations back in the bleak years of 1992 I went on combos while my docs wanted me on AZT MONOTHERAPY ... THROUGHOUT MY STRUGGLE he was always the leading rational voice that mirrored the patient i was and advocated tirelessly for people like me and you. He steered me clear of the idiot denialistd led by Peter (dubious) Duesberg and crew — what a mockery. The early support line got me through my first 3 years and then I went on to have 2 children and an almost normal (hardly) life. i am sure Mary helped get the sperm washing legal for poz dads to have kids on CA too (I bet). I am still alive thanks in GREAT part due to Martin and the work of Project Inform.”

“Through Project Inform, Marty created a community where people passionate about HIV treatment and survival could come, get educated, volunteer, network, and mentor others. Marty was but one of many amazing, brilliant, courageous treatment activists who saved lives through tireless work and dedication. But by working with others to build Project Inform, he provided a hub where they could find one another and, through collaboration, be stronger, smarter, broader, and more accountable to the community and one another. When I was newly diagnosed in 1990, it was the PI Town Hall meetings that helped me understand that if we got informed, got involved, were proactive with our health care and found doctors who would partner respectfully with us, some of us might survive. Those who didn't survive might outlive their short prognosis (for women with an AIDS diagnosis, this was 6 months). And those who didn't survive but chose to dedicate their final months of life to AIDS treatment activism could find comfort knowing they had a community, and that they could make amazing contributions to HIV treatment access and information for those who would follow in their footsteps. Many people that Marty mentored went on to mentor me. These people supported me to start WORLD (Women Organized to Respond to Life-threatening Diseases), an information and support network for HIV+ women, their loved ones and allies. They continued to support us through training and education, volunteering on our board, and numerous collaborations. These people helped me attend conferences (and to understand the information presented), so that I could gather the latest information to share with women through WORLD's Bay Area programs and international newsletter. They helped me get state-of-the-art health care, including viral load testing (not yet available in doctor's offices) through a clinical trial when I was pregnant with my twins, who are now 12, healthy, and HIV-free. When it was time for me to step down as ED, Marty (who had been down this path before me) was generous with sharing his insights, suggestions, and lessons learned (the hard way).”

“On behalf of AIDS Action we send our condolences to the staff of Project Inform, family, friends and the many admirers of Martin Delaney. Many thousands of people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS are better for the bright light of Marty’s heroic life. Members of AIDS Action’s staff and board have known and worked with Marty since Project Inform’s founding and we are truly saddened by this loss. Marty has been a friend, an activist and voice on behalf of people living with HIV in the U.S. since the beginning of the epidemic. We will miss him terribly.”

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers of The AIDS Institute, we express profound sadness at the loss of our colleague Martin Delaney. We extend our condolences to his family, his friends, and the Board and staff of Project Inform,” noted Michael Ruppal, Interim Executive Director of The AIDS Institute. He went on to say, “Our fight to end the AIDS pandemic cannot be achieved without leaders like Mr. Delaney. We will forever be in his debt for the commitment he has made to our national leadership and vision.”

“As a medical researcher, university professor and activist on all aspects of human rights I have followed from a distance the incredible work of Martin Delaney. Please send my condolescences to his family.”

“Visiting the AIDS Grove last week, I found the large stone newly dedicated to Debra Kent. My first reaction to this sad news of Marty's death is that this would be an appropriate way and place to memorialize him, and an excellent venue for a memorial event as soon as his stone is engraved.”

“I am so sorry to learn of Marty's passing. He will long be remembered as one of the pioneers in the AIDS pandemic.”

“As a clinical drug developer in the pharmaceutical industry since the late 1980s, I knew Martin was someone I could call a friend and for whom I had tremendous respect. We worked together on a number of projects and he was always fair-minded, with the well-being of his patient constituency primary in his mind. He will be sorely missed by many, especially those of us committed to improving the available care for HIV/AIDS.”

“I'd like to extend APIAHF's sincere condolences to Martin Delaney's family and friends as well as his colleagues at Project Inform. ”

“He leaves behind a tremendous personal and professional legacy that will be remembered by many for a very long time.”

“Your name and 1986 is engraved in my heart.”

“I only met Martin Delaney a few times. Quite honestly, I was intimidated by his intellect and passion. I owe my HIV knowledge and continued education in this disease to him and those brilliant fact sheets I read endlessly in the early 90s. His life added so much to this world. His loss of life is a great loss to us all.”

“Une perte très lamentable mais son oeuvre, son courage et sa qualité humaine resteront en tant que source d'inspiration pour continuer ce travail de longue haleine. A very lamentable loss but his work, his courage and his human qualities remain as a source of inspiration to continue this work long term. ”

“It is indeed very sad moments for all of us and we have received the news of Marty's passing on with shock and sadness. Marty was indeed a human saver as can be evidenced from his brilliant contributions while on Mother Earth. We join all in mourning this great son of the world and we pass our condelensces to his family and friends and the entire Project Inform team may the spirit of Marty live on. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

“I am greatly saddened to hear of Martin’s passing. He was an outstanding leader and advocate for the evolving needs of a community heavily impacted in the earliest days of the epidemic. He not only engaged in addressing the core fears generated by this unknown disease but went on to “inform” all of us in how to best inform patients and care givers about complicated therapeutic interventions and descriptions of the natural history of the virus. He is some one we will never replace and who will remain a hero to the cause. We will miss him.”

“i had the honor of working with marty as a volunteer at project inform in the early 90's. he was an amazing man. we often got into trouble at events where he was supposed to be schmoozing potential donors because we would be in a corner talking about what next steps had to be taken to fight the scourge of HIV. without ever knowing it, marty changed the course of my life. i learned soooooooooooo much from him and the folks at project inform. he opened my eyes to the endless possibilities of how to make the world a better place for others. marty gave me the introduction to the activist i am today. the HIV community has lost a great leader and friend, and the world has lost a man who truly made a difference in the lives of many. my deepest and hearfelt condolences go out to his family and to all of us lucky enough to have known him.”

“It is with deep sadness that I heard about the passing of Martin, with whom I have the opportunity to meet about 20 years ago. His action influenced in my opinion not only the AIDS epidemic but medicine at all, and I believe that much of the modern relation between patients and health care workers in all fields of medicine is due to his work. Martin is also very well known among patients and health care workers in Israel and it is so sad for all of us that he has gone. By the name of the Israeli medical society for AIDS I send you all our condolence.”

“I am so sorry to hear of Martin's passing. Please pass along my condolences to the Project Inform staff and his family. He will be remembered for his courage and persistence for all those living with HIV.”

“I was saddened when I heard of Marty's passing. I would like to add my voice to the chorus remembering all that he has given me personally and professionally throughout the years. As a young activist, Marty taught me that even as a non-scientist, I could not only learn the science of antiretorviral therapies, but could influence the direct that future research would take. As I became the director of a peer based treatment education and advocacy organization in the mid 90s, he taught me how to translate this knowledge to others and the importance of sharing resources with colleagues around the country. He was special in that he realized from the begining that people around the country were desperate for this knowledge and would always travel to us in the days before the internet made this information readily available. One of the highlights of my career will always be hosting a public conversation after the Immune Restoration Think-tank held here in Atlanta. It opened my eyes to the wonder and promise of the future and gave me so much hope that we could turn the epidemic around. This must be a difficult time for those of you who knew and worked with him much closer that I. My thoughts and wishes of comfort are with you all. You have always excelled at keeping Project Inform one of the most vital of HIV organization both here and abroad. Thank you for keeping Marty's work alive for those who need it now and in the future.”

“A LOSS FOR US ALL.”

“I want to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude for this very special “ordinary” man. I say ordinary because he didn’t carry a lot of titles, political affiliations, or yield any power or hold any position of the social elite. The far reaching and extraordinary effects of his contribution may not seem immediately apparent. By following his hearts desire to help those who were in such desperate need, Martin Delaney has affected millions touched by the AIDS epidemic. He was not only concerned with their medical needs, but he sincerely cared about them. He embraced this epidemic and those affected with compassion, courage, and a steadfast commitment to the best treatment and “information/education” for all who were affected. His contribution extended to those diagnosed, their loved ones, their caregivers, the medical community, the drug companies and the research community. He inspired hope of an ongoing and rising of the bar for more and better treatment….and this hope became a dream and a reality month in and month out, and remains so even today. I am one of those who has benefited so greatly by his efforts. Not only by him, but by all those who he inspired and engaged to continue to face every obstacle that came before them. I am grateful, I am humbled, and I pray that he be blessed one thousand times over for all the gifts he gave so generously to all of humanity.”

“All of us at REAF are deeply saddened to hear of Martin’s death. He was a true hero in the fight against AIDS and we’ll mourn his loss along side all of you. With deepest sympathy.”

“I am so sorry to hear about Marty’s death. I was a volunteer on the hotline way back in 1989-1990. My personal reason was my brother in NYC who died of Aids in 1990. Marty was a wonderful man. What you said about him is so true. He made a great difference and did it with grace. His personal commitment to this cause was amazing. Even though I haven’t seen him for years I think about him and will miss knowing he is among us. May Project Inform continue to do great work. Thanks.”

“It's so saddening to hear of Martin's passing. He was certainly a tireless and tenacious advocate of HIV prevention and education. Words can not express the loss to the HIV community. My prayers are with Martin's friends, family and the Project.”

“It is with sadness and agreat since of loss that I take in the news of Martin Delaney's death. Though I really did not know him personally, his name and reputation as a pioneer advocate for the treatment, education, access to research and social justice for all in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the worldwide community is well known. My prayers and support go out for his family, friends, and community partners. I feel we all owe him a great debt. I wish his soul well.”

“I am a straight white woman who has worked in the AIDS epidemic since 1987, much of what I learned came from Marty even though we were miles away from each other in action, advocacy and ability. He taught me to ask questions, to not settle for anything but for the truth, to face the adversaries and to speak up and out to all who would and could hear me. I know I never could have been so successful in my own right if I had not had Marty as a long distance mentor and pioneer to lead the way and to give me courage to continue to work in this epidemic for over 20 years. He lit a spark in many of us, and I know it is up to us to keep that fire burning now that he is gone. My heart goes out to all of us, but especially to all of you, know that you do not stand alone in your grief.”

“I am writing to express my condolences on the loss of Martin Delaney. He will truly be missed for his unyielding efforts to educate people with HIV about the disease but also for his activism in the local and national community. He helped build an agency with humble beginnings into a national HIV advocacy organization, for which I have tremendous respect. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.”

“All of you are blessed to have worked with such a great humanitarian. I did not know him personally, but I am aware of the great contributions he made to the HIV/AIDS community. God bless all of you. This is certainly a great loss to the world. I pray that someone is in place to fill his shoes.”

“In all truth, I woke up this morning around 5:30 and thought about Marty. He’s a man I don’t know personally but someone whose life and worked helped save mine…along with tens of thousands of others. My goal was to send along a note today but I believe he sent me one instead. Please know that I am personally grateful for his life and the many gifts he left us that will continue to benefit people affected by HIV across the globe for decades to come. My sympathy to Project Inform and to all whose heart he touched.”

“I was shocked and saddened to learn of Martin's death. What a giant he has been in the leadership of the HIV/AIDS battle. He shall be greatly missed and long remembered and honored for his great efforts to help all those touched by HIV. One of my sons became infected with HIV about 1987. We didn't know where to turn but early on discovered Project Inform and the wonderful volunteers on the other end of the phone line. What a god-send they were to our family. They were a constant source of sound information and support. And we valued the early editions of the PI News which grew and grew over the years. And, thanks to it, our knowledge of the disease and its treatments grew as well. I forget when I first met Martin. Possibly at an HIV/AIDS conference in Colorado or possibly at one of the small afternoon get-togethers for donors. In any event, I was always impressed by his quiet, unassuming manner and his tremendous breadth of knowledge and effectiveness in every arena relating to HIV/AIDS e.g.political, medical, governmental, pharmaceutical etc. He was truly one of the pioneers and a sound, effective voice for those whose lives were touched by the virus. I feel honored to have known him. And I am sure that my son's quality of life was better because of Martin Delaney's work and Project Inform. (My son died from a medical error while participating in a clinical trial for HIV in 2000.) Thank you for letting us all know the sad news of Martin's passing. We will celebrate his life in our memories..... and we know God is enfolding him tenderly in His arms.”

“I was so saddened to read the email about Martin's passing. As a volunteer at Project Inform and having worked in Corporate America for a long time, I always thought of Marty as a tough and fair leader, a great listener, and a keen observer. He truly modeled a leadership through service style that I try to emulate today.”

“My thoughts are with you today. So sorry to hear about Marty your founder. I've benefitted from Project Inform for many years and being a long-term survivor, I know that PI was one of the first to inform people about HIV/AIDS. I did not have the pleasure of ever meeting him, but I'm sure he will be missed by many.”

“We're very sorry for your loss, and we mourn with you. We knew Marty. He spoke here at The Center many times and was a friend to us. If there's anything we can do for you, please let us know.”

“Thank you for sharing this sad news. I just googled him to see if there was other info and found that he received a Special Recognition award from NIAID just yesterday. Was this timing related to his imminent death? I hope he was alert enough to appreciate the award. He was a great man.”

“Please, accept my condolences in your loss. He was a wonderful man who helped many of us many times. I wish that I could be in SF to be with you. I send you a warm energy hug from the nation's capital, now also home to a gentler, more compassionate president. Perhaps better times are on the horizon for us queer/HIV/AIDS folk.”

“Met Martin in the 90's at a national conference. Been a G-d send to me. It is responsible for me living as long as I have.”

“My deepest Sympathy on Mr. Delaney's passing to your organization.”

“I’m so sad to hear this. He is one of my heroes. PI gave me the faith to live while there was so much death going on around me. No one did more to improve the length and quality of our lives.”

“I just want to say thanks for all of Martin's and the organization's work. I have survived 22 years with a very virulent form of HIV in relatively good health largely as a result of his work and Project Inform. The community forums over the years and the great on line presence have proved invaluable in my research for methods of treatment and search for meds. I feel like I have lost a champion warrior in the war against HIV.”

“My prayers and blessing are with you as you mourn the passing of your Founder, Mr. Martin Delaney. His compassion, talent, scholarship and care for persons living with HIV/AIDS around the world will be deeply missed.”

“We are very sad to hear about Marty's passing. He is a legend and a hero for thousands of us with HIV/AIDS.”

“Prayers of thanks to Mr. Delaney for all his hard work. I am alive today because of his work. This March, I celebrate my 20th year being Positive. I thank God for Martin, Project Inform and the countless others who worked so hard to save me and my brothers during the early years of this pandemic.”

“I am apoplectic at this tragic news. Please let me know when the memorial service is finalized. I know the staff and volunteers will continue Marty's good work and my heart goes out to all of you. Project Inform itself is Marty's true memorial.”

“I have known Marty for many years,as we have been involved with HIV since its begginings. He was a tremendous patient advocate and his loss is a loss to all of us. My best personal wishes to his family and friends. He will always be remembered.”

“I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Martin Delaney...I thank God for people like him who make life easier for people like me. May he rest in peace & I hope to see him when I get there He will never be forgotten and we need to carry on where he left off sharing our strength & hopeI wish I still lived in California so I could actually stop by in person, but I live in New Jersey now so this is the best I can do. Stay strong & keep your head to the sky.”

“It was with great sadness that I read of Mr. Delaney's death. I cannot begin to tell you just how much his work helped me support others, including a sister (who continues to live with HIV) and my dearest friend and companion who died in 1986--plus all the countless of others with whom I have had the pleasure to work and be friends. Reading about Mr. Delaney brought everything back.”

“Thank you for the e-mail about Marty. I am very sad to hear of his passing. The articles in Project Inform have been a great help in educating me over the years. Your information is an excellent tool that I use when speaking. I am 53 and have had AIDS for 23 years. Please keep up the great work that Marty started.”

“Hard to say precisely what i would have known, not known, done or not done, without Project Inform in the early days of HIV. But I am sure of this; I would have been less knowledgeable, less confident, and possibly have worse health today, without Martin Delaney, and the rest of you, living or gone. I've never even been to your offices yet the influence on my life has been profound. Three Cheers for Martin and all his good works! They continue, a testament to a life worth living!”

“For the last 20 years he has been my safety net. One of the first persons to trust in the early years when Ignorance = Fear/ Silence = Death; in the days of Act Up and the fight for the rights of medications. He never ceased in his mission for the truth and gaining not only information but quality of life for all those living with HIV. His only legacy lies in all of us who are still here to give testament to the fact. Mere words of thanks and condolences to Project Inform are insufficient, but that is all I have left.”

“I have become unused to hearing about deaths in this century, and this news came as quite a blow. All of you are precious, and I know that you are hurting tremendously. I appreciate everything Marty ever did, and I appreciate each and every one of you for carrying on.”

“Many years ago I worked full time in HIV policy in a variety of contexts. I have always been inspired by Martin’s advocacy efforts and often looked to articles he wrote for the inside scoop on what has happening of the frontier of developments in HIV related research and treatment. When I was at meetings he attended it was clear he was sought out by stakeholders of every sort for his counsel. The field has experienced a tremendous loss with his passing.”

“Very sorry to hear. Please let me know plans for memorial service. Thank you.”

“On behalf of the Research Institute of Health Sciences (RIHES)'s CAB, Chiang Mai, Thailand, we want to express our condolences for this great loss to family, friends, and colleagues of Martin Delaney.”

“I share the sorrow at the loss of Marty Delaney. We all will miss him for everything he did for our cause and our community.”

“Yesterday (Sat. 1/24) I intended to give my old friend, Marty, a call to see how he was doing and to plan for my visiting him in the near future. I was heading home to make that call, when the car radio's KOG news gave me the shocking news that he had died Friday morning. I have known Marty for almost 50 years, having been a classmate of his in Chicago since freshman year high school and through most of college. We worked on numerous projects.
When I relocated to San Jose in 2007 he was among the first people I contacted. We dined in the Castro (his treat) and shared wonderful laughs as we did the nostalgia thing. He offered to assist me in finding employment --not an easy thing at our age (I am a few months his senior). He invited me to his Project Inform retirement party, which I was unable to attend due to a family conflict. He met my two sisters as the four of us attended my first SF Pride in 2008. In all his kind humility I never realized the extent of his activism, although he had strong opinions re Harvey Milk (the Van Sant film vs. the reality), Barack Obama and Prop 8, the Catholic Church in which we both grew up, etc. which he shared with mild-mannered conviction. I had Marty's phone number and his email address, but have no info re family so I can extend my condolences. I also want to know more about funeral/memorial services, etc. Hopefully I can be present. He was certainly present to me and very supportive as I was adjusting to life in CA. One last thought. When he let me know of the extent of his illness and the prognosis, I asked him what I could do for him. He simply said, "Call me once a week to help lift my spirits." Except for the recent time when he went out of town to be with his family at Christmas time and when he said he'd be going to Hawaii shortly thereafter, I did keep in touch on weekends. Sadly, this weekend I was too late.”

“What a tragedy,he will be so missed ,his work was tireless and a key to todays progress on controlling HIV.”

“On behalf of AIDS Action we send our condolences to the staff of Project Inform, family, friends and the many admirers of Martin Delaney. Many thousands of people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS are better for the bright light of Marty’s heroic life. Members of AIDS Action’s staff and board have known and worked with Marty since Project Inform’s founding and we are truly saddened by this loss. Marty has been a friend, an activist and voice on behalf of people living with HIV in the U.S. since the beginning of the epidemic. We will miss him terribly.”

“So very sorry to hear of his passing. I owe the man my life. I have been living with AIDS before being told in 1984. I would be one of the deaths if wasn't for talking to him at a conference back in the early days. I never do anything different with my life without consulting with Project Inform. I hope that his greatness will be always be remembered and Wish I could have told him how much I appreciated his great work and his help in my life.”

“I just heard that Martin Delaney died this morning. I never met him face to face, but we were in regular email contact as he was one of the contributers to the aidstruth.org website. Martin was a fine activist, an invaluable source of accurate information on HIV science and in all my correspondence with him an incredibly nice guy. The first time I encountered his name was when Zackie Achmat lent me his dog-eared, overused copy of the HIV drug book. That book is a testimony to Martin's diligence, intelligence and service to the HIV research and activist community. My warm condolences to his friends, family and work colleagues. I have just informed Zackie and he asked me to send his condolences too.”

“I had the great pleasure of working alongside Martin Delaney at a number of meetings and in several initiatives. He was a sharp, intelligent, and honest man whose contributions to the search for a cure cannot be overestimated. Marty was mentor, critic, advocate, and negotiator -- all for ending HIV and AIDS. He was a role model and a grassroots activist. Along with so many others, he fought for a place "at the table" for the community in matters of AIDS drug development, research, and policy. Marty forged a path that many others could follow in their own work on behalf of those living, and dying, with HIV and AIDS. Sometimes provocative, sometimes pragmatic, Marty's opinions and positions were always well-founded and logical, whether it was what everyone wanted to hear or not. We are all destined to depart this world, no matter if our lives are to be long or short. The one thing to which any of us can aspire is to positively affect or otherwise improve the lives of others. Marty -- in case you have any doubts -- you did that in a big way. Thank you, and best wishes to you beyond this life.”

“To those of you who read or write of the exemplary life of Martin Delaney, I would like to offer a glimpse into the early life of a “curious crusader.” It was my pleasure and honor to be Marty’s friend and fellow classmate throughout four years of high school, four years of college, and a year of graduate school……all in the Chicago Catholic Seminary system. (The fact that Marty later introduced me to my wife and remained a lifelong friend is another blessing to be shared at a later time.) >> It wasn’t that Marty didn’t fit into the seminary system, it was more like Marty’s mission was simply larger than the setting in which he found himself. And yes, that made the journey an interesting one! Into the microscopic world of seminary life, where once tradition and religiousity ruled, entered Marty! As many of you have personally witnessed , it wasn’t that Marty disliked authority, it was just that he could not tolerate its duplicity or abuse in ANY fashion. Throughout our nine years in the system, many a professor, dean, or rector found themselves withering under the relentless rage of logic that Marty would unleash on any meaningless rule or regulation. Likewise, many a fellow classmate found themselves inexplicably championed by a fellow classmate who took up their cause in even the smallest inequity and fought for the mistreated, underrepresented, or abused. They were most often not Marty’s causes, but in his eyes, worthy causes for battle. >> The parallels to his greater heroic and successful activities in life are obvious. I would offer one further thought in fairness to the education and experience we both received in those hallowed Chicago halls of Quigley, Niles, and Mundelein. As Marty and I talked of his later “missions”, I would always remind him of the thought….”You can take the boy out of the seminary, but you can’t take the seminary out of the boy”..or said more simply…”there’s no vacation from your vocation.” Marty may have been a little uncomfortable at times with these mantles, but he lived them well! He truly lived a life of “ministry”, but one of which he may never have dreamed.”

“The New York AIDS Coalition want to express its since regrets and profound sorrow in the passing of Martin Delany. Martin Delany has been a great educator advocate for people living with AIDS across communities. Our condolences goes to his family and all his colleagues at Project Inform. His leadership, inspiration and support to all communities concerned and coping with the impact of the HIV epidemic will be sorely missed.”

“I just wanted to share that I was stunned to see that Martin Delany passed away..he was PI and was a pillar in our community..I just think of all those people he was trying to help and all those meeting I attended and watched him do what he did best.”