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AIDS Healthcare Foundation Presents AfricAlive: Portraits of Success Opening February 2nd at San Francisco's Transamerica Pyramid Building
02/02/07
www.redorbit.com
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the US' largest AIDS organization which operates free AIDS treatment clinics in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean and Asia, (including four AHF Magic Johnson Healthcare Centers in the Bay Area) celebrates the victory of life over death with AfricAlive: Portraits of Success, a traveling exhibit featuring life-size photographic portraits of men, women and children thriving on HIV/AIDS medicines from AHF's free treatment clinics in South Africa and Uganda. The exhibit, featuring the work of globally recognized photographer Dorit Thies, puts the African AIDS epidemic in focus by sharing striking images and stories of 35 patients who are among the fortunate few on treatment in the developing world. On display from February 2nd through February 28th at the world-famous Transamerica Pyramid building at the Pyramid Center, 505 Sansome St., a special opening night reception will be held on Friday, February 2nd from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (free, open to the public).
"AfricAlive is proof that treatment equals life and a call to action," said Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation. "It's been more than ten years since life-saving treatments were first introduced in the Western world, yet 80 percent of those in need today worldwide still have little or no access to these drugs. These portraits and stories of lives saved truly separate the rhetoric from the reality in global AIDS treatment efforts. We have the tools to treat AIDS today -- the question is whether we collectively have the will to share treatment with those in need in Africa and the developing world. It is my sincere hope that AfricAlive serves as a touchstone and catalyst to help bring AIDS treatment to many, many more of those in need around the world who will die needlessly without it."
The exhibit arrives in San Francisco after a month-long exhibition at the Oakland City Hall Rotunda where it opened in January as an official component of Mayor Ronald V. Dellums' inauguration festivities. Last year, AfricAlive: Portraits of Success traveled to New York City and Los Angeles, before arriving in Toronto where it was featured as an official Cultural Event of the XVI International AIDS Conference. Featuring both vibrant portraits and brief biographical sketches, which relate in the subject's own words how AIDS has impacted their family and how access to treatment has changed their lives, this traveling exhibit seeks to focus the international community's attention on the urgent need to scale-up treatment, care and prevention around the globe. Brimming with life and hope, the portraits demonstrate what is possible with access to lifesaving AIDS medicines.
Esther Nakalyango, a portrait subject from Masaka, Uganda, tested positive in 1999 when she was only 13 years old. She now receives lifesaving anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment from AHF's Masaka Healthcare Center. "I felt so badly about it that I did not want to disclose my status," said Esther. "I know my family is unhappy and feels badly about my status, but I am 19 and doing well on treatment. I have gained weight and feel healthy."
Many of the AHF patients are trailblazers in their own communities, because they are breaking the stigma of AIDS by accessing treatment. AfricAlive subjects Buselaphi Maphumulo, her husband and five-year-old son all receive treatment from the AHF's lthembalabantu (Zulu for "People's Hope") Clinic in South Africa. Buselaphi notes, "I can say treatment is helping as it has saved my life and I even sent several friends to the clinic. My family is so proud of me that I stood up -- so now they say they have no fear anymore. They will go for treatment."
Supporters of the San Francisco showing of AfricAlive include: The Pyramid Center; Kodak Film; The Icon photo lab; and Fine Art Solutions.
About AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Based in Los Angeles, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the US' largest provider of HIV/AIDS healthcare, education and prevention and operator of 13 free AIDS treatment clinics in California and Florida, including four AHF Magic Johnson Healthcare Centers in the Bay Area (San Francisco and Oakland). The organization provides cutting-edge medical services and advocacy, regardless of ability to pay to more than 53,000 people in the United States, Asia, Latin America/Caribbean and Africa.
AHF Global brings lifesaving anti-retroviral therapy to developing and resource-poor countries including: South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Rwanda, India, Cambodia, China, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. Our approach is simple: we work with local organizations and train local people to provide ARV treatment. Our innovative AHF Medic Program trains non-medical personnel to assist doctors and nurses in proving HIV/AIDS treatment. This enables the physicians to see more people, thereby improving access to care. For more information, visit http://www.aidshealth.org/.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
CONTACT: Ged Kenslea, cell, +1-323-791-5526, Gedk@aidshealth.org, orLori Yeghiayan, cell, +1-323-377-4312, lori.yeghiayan@aidshealth.org, both ofAIDS Healthcare Foundation
Web site: http://www.aidshealth.org/
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