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The Board of Directors of the World AIDS Museum and Educational Center is proud to announce that we, along with our many committed volunteers, are on schedule with the planned opening. We have taken the challenge presented by our difficulties with the HIV/AIDS epidemic and used it to create something that is inspiring and educational. We have accomplished a lot: raising funds, getting the word out, acquiring the space, creating exhibits, and completing a core education package. Opening Day will be May 15, 2014. Initially we will operate on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and will offer the following:
We offer docent-guided tours of the museum which will walk you through the story of HIV throughout the world via pictures, film and written material. In addition, the AIDS Tapestry will present filmed stories from all parts of the world of those affected by HIV. Tours can accommodate groups of up to fifteen people and we suggest that you allow at least one hour to see the exhibit. We promise that you will walk away informed and even inspired! Call Ed at 954-304-4135 to schedule a visit.
Mauricio Gerson, Board Member, director of Media and Emmy award-winning film professional is overseeing the creation of the AIDS Tapestry. If you are HIV positive or have been personally affected by knowing someone who has HIV, please take the timeto tell your story; it's a wonderful way to turn your experience into a helpful and supportive example for others. Call Mauricio at 305-498-5341 to schedule a filmed interview. Your experience will touch the life of someone who may not have met you yet! Following is a sample story from a local resident:
Russia is home to the world's fastest-growing HIV epidemic. Driven by injection drug use, it is now becoming generalized. If you use injection drugs in Russia, you likely have HIV, hepatitis C, and more often than not, tuberculosis. Although the Russian constitution grants the right to free access to health services in government facilities, it does not provide effective care to those who have these multiple infections. And it bans opioid substitution therapy—the most effective opiate addiction treatment.
In many ways, the story of Max, is typical of the hundreds of thousands of Russians who use drugs. As an intravenous drug user, he contracted HIV and hepatitis C. But when Max was denied testing and treatment for his hepatitis C, he did something no Russian who uses drugs had done before—Max turned to the justice system. Faced with the daunting task of taking on his region's health system in court, Max used the Internet for help. He contacted the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network. Through online sessions with a lawyer who was more than 3,000 miles away, Max crafted his legal arguments and strategy. Representing himself, Max sued the regional hospital in Tver that denied him testing, and won his case on appeal. The court ordered testing and treatment for him. Max's victory inspired him to help others confront the injustices they experience in health services. He co-founded a project at the Andrey Rylkov Foundation in which street outreach workers provide legal consultations for people who use drugs alongside offerings of clean needles and food. In his outreach work, Max relies on the Russian language website Hand-Help.ru—a unique online resource that offers advice about ever-changing Russian drug laws to drug users, their friends, and their families. The site wants to correct a widespread lack of understanding of drug laws common not only among people who use drugs and the general population, but also law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and judges. In a vast country like Russia, where accessing a lawyer is not always practical or possible, Hand-help is only a click away, offering accurate and up-to-date advice and information. Armed with an innovative resource like Hand-help, and a conviction that Russians who use drugs should be treated as people worthy of respect, Max wants others to recognize their power. "The most important thing," Max says, "is strength in your own life—to fight for help, to stand up for something."
With the opening of the Museum we will close the opportunity to become a "Founding Member" of the World AIDS Museum. You can be a part of this exciting endeavor by joining as a Founding Member and making a personal commitment to ensure that the Museum's mission becomes a reality. Founding Members' names will be permanently and prominently recognized at the Museum on the 'Founding Members' wall, as well as on the website. To become a Founding Member you may choose to contribute $1200 at one time or in incremental payments. Memberships may also be made in memory of someone important to you. To become a Founding Member before this opportunity ends, contact Hugh Beswick at: 412 523 5245 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Hugh G Beswick, Chair and CEO; Steven C. Stagon, Founder and President; Thomas Sheaffer, Secretary; Andrew Wilkinson, Treasurer; Mauricio Gerson, Media and Film Director; David Friedland, Exhibits; Edward Sparan, Arts and Events; Dr. Rosalind Osgood, Education; Dr. Elie Schochet, Medicine; John Ramos, Honorary Board; Scott Noxon, Honorary Board
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Message from the CEO
When you pass the site of the World AIDS Museum and Educational Center you'll undoubtedly see our beautiful new sign. As I look at it, I think of our mission: to eradicate the HIV stigma by documenting the history of HIV/AIDS, educating people about the disease, remembering those who have suffered from it, enlightening the world to this continuing tragedy and empowering the survivors. The first major implementation of the mission will occur with our opening late this spring. It will be a limited opening and will include two dramatic installations:
1. The Chronology of AIDS, which tells the story of HIV throughout the world in a timeline format of pictures, words and guided narrative. The following video provides a brief visual of the Chronology:
2. The Virtual Tapestry, which captures stories of those infected and affected by the disease on video and portrays the human experience with HIV in all its diversity.
Phase ll is scheduled for late fall and will include a more comprehensive museum experience as well as a grand opening event. We are deeply grateful to the Board of Directors and to our many donors for making the World AIDS Museum and Educational Center possible. YOU have provided us with encouragement and support. While we are close to the realization of our plans we ask for continued support from all who believe in and value of what we are doing. You can donate by pressing the "Donate" button in this newsletter and following the easy steps. Even simpler, you may call me at (412)523-5245 or write to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and one of our volunteers will quickly follow up.
Finally, we will be sending each of you this newsletter on a monthly basis as we move forward. Thanks again for your wonderful support!
Sincerely,
Hugh G Beswick,
CEO of World AIDS Museum and Educational Center
Exciting new research suggests that a single shot administered every one to three months may someday give an alternative to the daily pills people take now to cut their risk of getting HIV. The drug has been tested for prevention in monkeys, and it completely protected them from infection in two studies. "This is the most exciting innovation in the field of HIV prevention," said Dr. Robert Grant, an AIDS expert at the University of California, San Francisco. Grant said the long-acting drug is "extremely safe, well tolerated." Another trial is testing the shots in patients as a treatment, not just for prevention. Public health officials stress that, until a vaccine is developed, condoms are the best way to prevent infection with the AIDS virus.
POZITIVE ATTITUDES, the educational/support group of the World AIDS Museum, hosted a number of guest speakers over the past several months to discuss important issues relating to HIV:
March 19 - Dr. Patrick Kenny of Midland Medical, provided details about the remarkable new advancements in treating Hepatitis C (HCV). Many people with HIV are co-infected with Hepatitis C. New medications treat and/or cure up to 90% of patients.
March 12 - Peter Jackson, fitness and nutrition coach and owner of Push Fitness, presented details of a program called "PoZitively Healthy - 10 Fitness & Nutrition Tips to Achieve Your Best Health" while living with HIV.
February 12 - Sean Strub, founder of POZ magazine and producer of the play The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me, gave a presentation along with a book signing of his new memoir entitled "BODY COUNTS." This event was sponsored by the Stonewall Museum with the support of the World AIDS Museum and our Pozitive Attitudes group.
POZITIVE ATTITUDES meets at the Pride Center at Equality Park every Wednesday at 7 PM. Visit : www.PozitiveAttitudes.com or www.WorldAIDSmuseum.org
CALL FOR ACTION: With the opening of the Museum we will close the opportunity to become Founding Members of the World AIDS Museum. You can be a part of this exciting endeavor by joining as a Founding Member and making a personal commitment to ensure that the Museum's mission becomes a reality. Founding Members' names will be permanently and prominently recognized at the Museum on the 'Founding Members' wall, as well as on the website. To become a Founding Member you may choose to contribute $1200 at one time or in incremental payments. Memberships may also be made in memory of someone important to you. To become a Founding Member before this opportunity ends contact Hugh Beswick at 412 523 5245 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Hugh G Beswick, Chair and CEO; Steven C. Stagon, Founder and President; Thomas Sheaffer, Secretary; Andrew Wilkinson, Treasurer; Mauricio Gerson, Media and Film Director; David Friedland, Exhibits; Edward Sparan, Arts and Events; Dr. Rosalind Osgood, Education; Dr. Elie Schochet, Medicine; John Ramos, Honorary Board; Scott Noxon; Honorary Board
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Cohen (35) explains: "In November 2000, Cohen's father Peter Cohen, brother of English World Cup winning football player George Cohen, was fatally injured while protecting an attack victim at the Eternity nightclub in Northampton which Peter Cohen managed. He died a month later from head injuries sustained in the assault. Three men were found guilty of violent conduct.
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South Africa president Nelson Mandela was a controversial figure for much of his life while at the same time a great humanitarian. Right-wing critics denounced him as a terrorist and communist sympathizer. He nevertheless gained international acclaim for his anti-colonial and anti-apartheid stance, having received more than 250 honours, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize, the US Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Soviet Order of Lenin.He is held in deep respect within South Africa, where he is often referred to by his Xhosa clan name, Madiba, or as Tata ("Father"); he is often described as "the father of the nation."
