www.hivandhepatitis.com

TAG Seeks Activists for AIDS Cure/HIV and Aging Advocacy

The Treatment Action Group (TAG) has issued a call for community activists interested in joining a new network advocating for increased support for research on HIV and aging and finding a cure. The initiative will kick off with congressional lobbying October 11-13. Travel scholarships are available, and the deadline to apply is September 2.

Below is an edited excerpt from TAG's announcement of the new effort. The full description and application form are available online at http://hivresearchcatalystforum.org/WhatWouldYouDo.

What Would You Do for the Cure?

A Community Challenge

Treatment Action Group (TAG) is seeking AIDS community activists from key states across the U.S. to join an unique leadership network, focused on identifying new Congressional champions and developing ongoing Congressional support for research critical to people living with HIV.

This initiative will kick-off with a three-day Capitol Hill visit with your congressional delegation in Washington D.C. from October 11-13, 2011. Full scholarships covering round trip travel, two-night hotel (shared-room), and per diem are available. Application deadline is September 2nd.

Historically, federal research funding is considered a wise investment for the future health of the nation, and has enjoyed strong bi-partisan support from lawmakers in Congress. However, with the recent economic crisis and mandates on short-sighted spending cuts, funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where much of AIDS research happens, is in serious jeopardy. What's more, several longtime Congressional champions for NIH are no longer in office. Without a concerted effort by the AIDS community to find new allies and reactivate long-standing support in Congress, scientific advances necessary for the cure, and desperately needed new interventions for HIV and aging related illnesses, will die on the vines of discovery.
 
TAG's new initiative aims to build a national network of AIDS community leaders who can invest time and energy-year-round-to strengthen federal support for AIDS research, by developing ongoing relationships with representatives in Congress, and by building grassroots support in home districts. Scholarship recipients will get individual assistance on effective message development prior to the three-day Hill visits in October, ongoing training and support online, as well as skills building sessions via conference calls and webinars on:

1. Current issues in cure and HIV/aging research
2. Web-based grassroots organizing
3. Develop and sustain relationships with your congressional representatives
4. Build community power using media strategies

Estimated time commitment: average about two hours per week.
Understanding of basic AIDS research issues a plus, but not necessary.
 
Priorities will be given to people from the following States: Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.

8/23/11

Source

Treatment Action Group, HIV Research Catalyst Forum. What Would You Do for the Cure? A Community Challenge. http://hivresearchcatalystforum.org/WhatWouldYouDo.