FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:     Kristen Lepore

E-mail: [email protected]

Website:  www.atac-usa.org 

National AIDS activists gather in Ft. Lauderdale to engage the local community

Ft. Lauderdale, June 30, 2005 - Have you felt a strong desire to work with other activists to improve access to life-saving HIV treatment and insure that HIV activists continue to advocate for ethical and well-designed research of new anti-HIV therapies?  Come meet the AIDS Treatment Activists Coalition (ATAC)!  We are a national coalition of treatment activists, many living with HIV/AIDS, who are working together to end the AIDS epidemic by ensuring access to treatment, sharing knowledge, and advancing research on HIV/AIDS. ATAC is an individual membership organization run for and by community activists. Membership is free and open to the public.*

HIV/AIDS are highly prevalent in South Florida. Come join us and make a difference! The  PALS Project (Positive Action for Living Safely) and the Gay and Lesbian Community Center (GLCC) are hosting Treatment Activist Speak Out! (reception and dinner to follow) for ATAC on Saturday, July 16, 2005 from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm at GLCC (1717 N. Andrews Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, FL).

"Getting involved in HIV activism is vital. People living with HIV/AIDS and the community at-large have the power to influence decisions that affect the future of HIV policy. There is no time to waste. ATAC leads the way in providing an organized and effective response to the challenges that we face in HIV today.� said Manuel Rodriguez from the PALS Project.

Currently ATAC has more than 400 members, and three active program areas. Program areas, better known as �Working Groups�, are initiated by members and are a direct outgrowth of community interests. Current Working Groups include: the Drug Development Committee (which works with the pharmaceutical industry and regulatory groups like the Food and Drug Administration to provide community input into the development of new therapies), Access to Health Care for Incarcerated Individuals, the Immune Based Therapies Working Group, and SAVE ADAP (which seeks to address the current crisis facing the AIDS Drug Assistance Programs).

�ATAC has connected me to a great network of fellow activists.  I no longer feel like I am alone in this fight.  They have also helped me stay abreast of new information and issues even before they become known by researchers and physicians.� stated Nelson Vergel, director of the Program for Wellness Restoration and  ATAC steering committee member. 

Cathy Olufs, ATAC member since 2002 and HIV-positive since 1995 noted, �Membership in ATAC has allowed me the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of activism from some of the best.�  The unique structure of our group fosters support and enables a new activist to jump right into the trenches with those who have been doing this work for years.

Curious how you can help shape the future the HIV/AIDS treatment? Come to ATAC�s Treatment Activist Speak Out! on July 16, 2005,  to learn more.  Seating is limited to the first 100 attendees. Call Manny Rodriguez at the PALS Project 954-537-4111 ext. 110 for more information, email Kristen at [email protected], or visit the ATAC website www.atac-usa.org.

* Individuals employed by the pharmaceutical sector are not eligible for Associate membership but are welcome to join ATAC as a Community member.