This week (August 18th) marks nearly thirty years since the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE)Act was signed into law, creating the most comprehensive federal program that provides services exclusively to people living with HIV.
Hemophilia advocates and survivors will gather on the eve of the anniversary at the National AIDS Memorial where construction is underway for a beautifully designed memorial feature being built to forever honor all the lives lost in the hemophilia community to AIDS.
The Hemophilia Memorial feature will consist of a new stone circle inscribed with the names of those in the hemophilia community who have died from AIDS. It will also pay tribute to the courage and activism of those who worked tirelessly on behalf of the hemophilia community to ensure America’s blood supply is safe and this type of tragedy never happens again.
The hemophilia community was faced with evidence that treatment for their disorder was contaminated with HIV and hepatitis C. Approximately 90% of all people with severe hemophilia were infected with HIV. In response, , the hemophilia community launched a powerful and inspiring fight to right the system that failed them and to make blood and blood products safer for all.
Hemophilia advocates and survivors will gather to view construction progress, share their personal stories and encourage the hemophilia community to share names of loved ones lost.
There is still time for names to be inscribed in the circle before its formal dedication next month.
Information about how to have a name inscribed in the Hemophilia Memorial feature can be found at Aids Memorial Official Website.
WHEN: Thursday, August 17, 2017
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: The National AIDS Memorial (the “Grove”)
Eastern end of Golden Gate Park at the intersection of Bowling Green & Nancy Pelosi Drives
WHO: Leaders, advocates and survivors in the Hemophiliac and HIV/AIDS Communities, including:
- Patrick Dunlap, CEO, Hemophilia Foundation of Northern California
- John Cunningham, Executive Director, National AIDS Memorial Grove
- Karen Holine, mother of Jason Neal Fulton, who died due to the tainted blood supply
