jfh@ames.arc.nasa.gov (Jack Hamilton) (08/18/90)
The following letter was sent out by the fundraising committee of ACT UP/San
Francisco. I think it's a good group, doing work that needs to be done,
and it is operating under several financial constraints. If you are
wondering where to send that money you're not spending on Jesse Helms'
reelection campaign, here's a suggestion. Any amount would be appreciated.
If you decide you'd like to send a contribution, the address is below. If
you would rather give to your local ACT UP, but don't know the address, I
can probably find it for you (send me email).
Jack Hamilton
jfh@netcom.uucp
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Dear Friend,
What would you do if you were part of a grassroots organization that just
quadrupled in size?
What would you do with all these newcomers if you had no money?
Welcome to ACT UP San Francisco
(AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power)
Our work in organizing the AIDS Activist's response to the VI International
Conference on AIDS has brought us international acclaim. Finally the
media, the researchers, and the government have all admitted that ACT UP
deserves great credit.
ACT UP IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
- Pressuring the city of San Francisco into the release of $500,000
in supplemental AIDS funding which had been previously frozen.
- Pressuring Burroughs Wellcome pharmaceuticals into reducing the
price of AZT by 25%.
- Pressuring the National Institutes of Health (NIH) into implementing
what ACT UP coins as 'parallel track': broadening access to treatments
for those previously ineligible.
- Pressuring the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) into creating a
speedier drug approval process which will prolong and improve the
lives of tens of thousands of people living with AIDS and HIV.
That's great, but it is not enough. There is so much more to do.
Our government's neglect and failure have also been exposed
internationally.
A FEW FACTS
- While AIDS has killed more Americans than both the Vietnam and Korean
wars combined, George Bush chose to attend a fundraiser for Jesse Helms
rather than addressing the VI Internation Conference on AIDS.
- After ten years of research the government has only approved one
drug: AZT.
- 300,000 people have died from AIDS worldwide in the last ten years and
300,000 more will die in the next two years.
ACT UP San Francisco now finds itself at a crossroad of growth and
responsibility. We must now deal with basic concerns in order to
accomodate our growth. We need an office space. That means equipment,
supplies, etc. Your money will go directly into further DIRECT ACTION and
EDUCATION, both of which will be better organized and managed through an
office space. None of your money will go towards salaries. No one in ACT
UP gets paid. No one ever will.
During the 90's, leadership must continue to come from AIDS Activists. We
need more money now! The basic reality is that we cannot afford to slow
down. Not everyone can march and protest. We're asking for your financial
support. Help us continue to be protesters, researchers, and educators!!!
ACT UP !!! FIGHT BACK !!! FIGHT AIDS!!!
Fundraising Committee
AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power
2300 Market Street Box 68
San Francisco, California 94114
(If you send a contribution, please say that you read the letter here.)
--
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Jack Hamilton
jfh@netcom.uucp