rock%lighthouse%pyrdc%wubios@uunet.UU.NET (Roger Rock Rosner) (10/28/89)
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DEPARTMENTS - Table of Contents December 1988 - Vol 1, No 1
Opening - Hopes, goals
Distribution
Staff
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HOPES AND GOALS
Welcome to the first edition of Washington HIV News. This newsletter is the
result of a group of people doing "buddy" work with AIDS patients who got
frustrated with the difficulties involved in finding experimental treatment
protocols and services for their People Living With AIDS (PLWAs).
At the moment, the only approved treatment for people with AIDS, ARC, or HIV
infection is AZT (also known as Retrovir and Zidovudine). Unfortunately, up
to 50% of the population experiences such severe side effects to AZT that it
is considered too toxic, and they have to stop taking it.
All remaining treatments against HIV under investigation by the scientific
community are experimental, that is, they can only be obtained within the
confines of an experimental drug testing protocol run by a recognized
treatment institution and sanctioned by the Department of Health and Human
Services' Food and Drug Administration.
This newsletter is an attempt to gather information about the AIDS
treatments available to residents of the Washington Metropolitan area. We
have contacted the major research organizations and institutions, and have
attempted to cross-reference with as many other publications in this field
as possible. In addition, we try to keep on top of the rapidly changing
area of AIDS treatments using electronic databases and information services.
We are emphatically NOT infallible. There may be information or protocols
that we have inadvertently missed, and the information is constantly
changing. If you have any additional information, requests, or comments,
write to us at Washington HIV News, c/o The Whitman-Walker Clinic, 1407 "S"
Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20009. Please indicate whether you wish us
to use your letter for publication.
All of us involved in the production of Washington HIV News hope that it is
found to be useful. Additional help, either physical or financial, would be
appreciated. This publication is one part of our contribution towards
helping end the epidemic that has exacted such a toll on our friends and
lovers.
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DISTRIBUTION
Washington HIV News is published six times a year entirely by volunteers,
and is distributed through the Whitman-Walker Clinic, and at several public
locations, without charge. However, each issue of the Washington HIV News
costs about $600.00 in printing expense, which is entirely funded from
private contributions (donations gratefully accepted).
Single copies of Washington HIV News are available on request; please call
and leave a message at (202) 797-3577. To be on a regular mailing list,
please fill out the form at right. Because of the costs involved, a fee
must be charged to everyone except PWAs/PWARCs. The cost is $6.00/year
($1.00/issue) for the first copy, and $3.00/year ($0.50/issue) for each
additional copy.
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\\\ //\\ ///
\\\ ///\\\ /// Washington HIV News is endorsed by
\\\////\\\\/// the Whitman-Walker Clinic, although
\\// \\\// the content of this newsletter does
\/ \\\ \/ //\\ /// not necessarily reflect the
\\\ ///\\\ /// opinions of the Whitman-Walker
\\\////\\\\/// Clinic.
\\// \\\//
\/ \/
Editor-in-chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrew Coile
Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kate Parker
Supervising Editor . . . . . . . . . . . Patt Hoffmann
Assistant Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . Henry Trevathan, Jr.
Graphics/Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bryan Harrison
All rights reserved. Although great steps have been taken in an attempt to
insure the accuracy of all the information presented herein, the Washington
HIV News, the staff that produces it, the Whitman Walker Clinic, or the
various institutions and personnel who provided us with information cannot
be held responsible for any damages, direct or consequential, that arise
either from the use of this material or due to any errors contained herein.
The issues raised by the subject of pursuing treatment for HIV infection are
not simple ones. EVERYONE CONSIDERING APPLYING FOR A PROTOCOL SHOULD FIRST
DISCUSS POSSIBLE TREATMENTS AND PROTOCOLS, IN DETAIL, WITH THEIR PRIMARY
CARE PHYSICIAN. Together you can carefully review the different
requirements presented for each protocol and make a decision. If you apply
for a protocol, the most important thing to do is to ASK QUESTIONS!
Protocols may change after press time from the information presented here--
this disease is so dynamic that situations can change almost daily--and the
only way you will know the latest complete details is to ask questions.
Researchers do the best they can with the knowledge they have, but they are
human, not omnipotent, and you must feel free to ask as many questions as
you want to. You must be a willing and informed participant in any
protocol. Above all, it's your life, and you are going to have to deal with
the consequences of it.
EXTRA SPECIAL THANKS TO: LARRY COHEN.
Special thanks to: Dr. Samuel Broder, Dr. Robert Yarchoan, Dr. W. Howard
Cyr, Diana Deming, the GAP team, Mark Gregory, and everyone at the Sunday
Night Group.
DEDICATED TO: LARRY EDWARDS, JIM AMADEI, LARRY HAKES, RON PAGLIA.
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Copyright (C) 1988,1989 by Washington HIV News, all rights reserved.
Permission is granted for non-commercial use only.