Dear Friends and Colleagues:
Whether you are a researcher, advocate or community member, the stakeholders of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise invite you to join us in commemorating HIV Vaccine Awareness Day – the day in which we salute all those on the front lines of efforts to develop a vaccine against HIV.
Every day of the year, hundreds of scientists and thousands of study volunteers around the world are joining forces to develop and test a safe and effective HIV vaccine, an essential tool in reversing the global epidemic of HIV and AIDS. On HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, we recognize and thank the organizations and individuals conducting and participating in this vital research -- many of whom are active participants in the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise -- and renew our shared commitment to help defeat this global epidemic.
More than 33 million men, women and children are living with HIV/AIDS today, and millions more are at risk of HIV infection. A safe and effective vaccine is an integral part of a comprehensive approach to stemming the epidemic that includes access to treatment, care and prevention for all who need them, as well as research to develop new prevention options, such as vaccines and other biomedical prevention tools.
Great strides have been made in the search for an HIV vaccine, and today those efforts continue. In the coming months, results will be released from a large scale Phase III trial among more than 16,000 men and women in Thailand; and a new Phase II test-of-concept study is planned for men who have sex with men in the U.S. A number of additional vaccine trials are either underway or planned, and researchers continue to build on lessons learned in HIV vaccine research, and to bring us closer to a world without HIV.
Please consider attending one of the HIV Vaccine Awareness Day Commemorations listed below. Or let us know of other events of programs you would like to share. Together, we will develop a safe and effective HIV vaccine and defeat this epidemic!
HIV Vaccine Awareness Day Commemorations
May 18, HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, is truly a grassroots event. Local organizations reach out to communities affected by HIV/AIDS to share information about HIV prevention and ongoing efforts to develop a safe and effective vaccine. Here are some of the HIV Vaccine Awareness Day events and commemorations happening around the world:
BRAZIL
Rio de Janeiro
HIV Vaccines Workshop
Location: Red Cross Committee
Date: Saturday, May 2 and May 9, 2009; 9:00a.m. - 4:00p.m.
These informational workshops will focus on HIV prevention, TB prevention and vaccine trials participation opportunities, and will feature 50 community leaders from surrounding communities.
JAMAICA
Kingston
Vaccines Workshop
Epidemiology Research and Training Unit
Monday, May 18, 2009; 2:00 p.m.
This informational workshop will focus on circumcision and HIV vaccine concepts, and will feature HIV Vaccine Trial Network Community Advisory Board members, health care workers and providers and Administrators from the Kingston region.
Sponsors: Jamaica Clinical Research Site (HIV Vaccine Trials Unit)
Contact: Email: jamaicahvtu@yahoo.com; phone: 876-922-4461
KENYA
Kericho
HIV Research Talks
May 6 – 16, 2009
The U.S. Military HIV Research Program site in Kericho, Kenya will hold HIV research talks in schools and colleges in the Southern Highlands Region of Kenya from 6th May to 15th May 2009. Dr. Fred Sawe will be on a local talk radio show (Radio Injili) to discuss HIV research, prevention, care and treatment on Saturday 16th May 2009, and members of the public can call and ask questions.
10K Run, Voluntary Counseling and Testing and other events
Monday, May 18, 2009
Highlights include a procession in Kericho’s streets, entertainment and HIV prevention speeches, a 10K run by youth from local learning institutions, Volunteer Counseling and Testing (VCT), and a football match.
Sponsor: Walter Reed Project-Kenya, U.S. Military HIV Research Program (MHRP)
Contact: Dr. Fred Sawe, 254 52 30686
SOUTH AFRICA
Cape Town
"Big Walk"
Friday May 15, 2009
The Cape Town HIV Vaccine Trials Network site hosts a 10-kilometer “Big Walk.” The event is open to 300 participants and will target the general community of the Klipfontein region. Thirty marshals stationed at strategic points throughout the event will distribute leaflets, condoms and HIV vaccine materials.
Sponsors: International AIDS Vaccine Initiative and the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation
Contact: 021 386 0053; International AIDS Vaccine Initiative 011 325 4737
UGANDA
Entebbe "Together We are the Solution" Commemoration
Monday, May 18, 2009; 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Mayor’s Gardens
This joint commemoration for World AIDS Vaccine Day and the International Candlelight Memorial Day is open to the public. Activities include an advocacy walk, voluntary HIV counseling and testing, an exhibition, and an update on AIDS vaccine efforts by various vaccine research groups in Uganda.
Sponsors: Uganda AIDS Commission and HIV Vaccine Interest Groups: International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (UVRI-IAVI HIV Vaccine Program), Makerere University Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration (MUJHU) and the Makerere University Walter Reed Project (MUWRP)
Contact: Leslie Nielsen at lnielsen@iavi.org.
UNITED STATES
Atlanta, GA
Fundraising cycling event
Friday May 15 – Sunday, May 17, 2009
A 200 mile cycling ride over 2 days, beginning with a kick off on dinner party for all riders and crew on May 15, and culminating with a closing ceremony in Eatonton GA May 17.
Sponsors: Emory Vaccine Center, Atlanta Action Cycling and local HIV service providers
"Hope in Our Souls"
Tuesday, May 19, 2009; 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Hopewell Baptist Church
182 Hunter Street
Norcross, GA
A program to dispel common myths and increase awareness in the Black Community
Sponsors: Emory Vaccine Center, NHVREI- SisterLove, National AIDS Education and Services for Minorities, In collaboration with Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church, Emory University Hope Clinic Vaccine Center, NAESM, Inc., and Community Stakeholders
Contact: Lisa Diane White at (404) 505-7777; Patrick Kelly at (404) 691-8880
Birmingham, AL
Girls Night Out
Friday, May 15, 2009; 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Birmingham Museum of Art
2000 Rev Abraham Woods Jr Blvd?(formerly 2000 8th Ave N.)
Sponsor: AIDS Alabama
Contact: Arthur Wynn at (205) 324-9822
Information and testing aboard the AIDS Alabama Mobile Testing Unit
Monday, May 18, 2009
At three locations in Birmingham
Sponsors: HIV Vaccine Trials Unit, AIDS Alabama
Boston, MA
HIV Vaccine Awareness Day Luncheon
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Sponsor: Multicultural AIDS Coalition (Jamaica Plan, MA)
Contact: Steven Fleury at (617) 238-2406
Jazz Brunch
Sunday, May 17, 2009
South End
Sponsors: Fenway Community Health Center, Multicultural AIDS Coalition, Cynthia Harris, MAC
Distribution of HVAD buttons at local train stations
Monday, May 18, 2009
Sponsor: Multicultural AIDS Coalition (Jamaica Plan, MA)
Contact: Steven Fleury at (617) 238-2406
"We Are the Generation to End AIDS" - HIV Vaccines Research/Studies Updates Luncheon
Wednesday, May 20, 2009; 12 noon – 3 p.m.
Latin American Health Institute - 95 Berkeley Street - Conference Room A, Boston 02116
Sponsors: Latin American Health Institute, Fenway Community Health Center
Contact: Alfredo Hernandez at (617) 350-6900
Chicago, IL
"With Me Comes A Cure" Edutainment Event
Saturday, May 23, 2009. 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The Sankofa Cultural Arts and Business Center
5820 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago
Live music (beginning at noon), spoken word artists, a t-shirt design contest and an iPod raffle.
Sponsor: AIDS Foundation of Chicago
Contact: Jonathon Briggs at (312) 334-0922
Nashville, TN
Community Health Screening Festival
Saturday May 16, 2009
12 noon – 3 p.m.
Woodland Presbyterian Church in East Nashville
211 N. 11th St., Nashville TN 37206
Health screening and information, Calypso food and home made ice cream
Sponsors: Nashville HIV Vaccine Trials Unit, Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee and other community partners
Contact: Lyndsey Godwin at (615) 345-0952; Kat Davis at kat.davis@vanderbilt.edu
New York, NY
Community and Scientific Perspectives on the Future of AIDS Research
Monday, May 18, 2009 4:30-6:45 p.m. (reception to follow)
Treatment Action Group
611 Broadway (cnr. Broadway & Houston) Suite 308, New York City
A dynamic, interactive panel discussion involving frontline HIV service providers, clinical trialists, scientists, advocates and activists;
Sponsors: Treatment Action Group, AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition, and the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise
RSVP requested to info@vaccineenterprise.org
"Vaccine-O-Licious 5"
Wednesday, May 27, 2009; 8 – 10 p.m.
Therapy Bar
348 W 52nd St
New York, NY 10019
This event promotes community involvement HIV vaccine trials. “Vaccine-O-Licious” will feature several performers coming together to pass on the crown of the “Queen of Vaccine” to the newly appointed Queen, Peppermint.
Sponsors: New York City HIV Vaccine Trials Network site, AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC) and Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD)
Contact: Columbus Gaskins at (718) 222-6300
Harlem HIV Vaccine Awareness Health Fair
Saturday, June 6, 2009; 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building
163 W 125th St
New York, NY 10027
The event will focus on HIV prevention and HIV vaccine research. Other community services and screenings will also be provided.
Sponsors: Harem United, New York City HIV Vaccine Trials Network site, Project ACHIEVE, Columbia University Medical Center, Gay Men of African Descent and AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition
Contact: George Gates at (646) 216-3266; Columbus Gaskins at (718) 222-6300
AIDS Walk 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Join the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) to raise money and vaccine awareness at AIDS Walk New York
Information at http://www.aidswalk.net/newyork/index.html
Newark, NJ
AIDS Walk 2009 (New York City)
Sunday, May 17, 2009
The Newark, NJ HIV Vaccine Trials Network site will be out in force at this year’s AIDS Walk New York
Information at http://www.aidswalk.net/newyork/index.html
Philadelphia, PA
Provider Forum for HIV Testers
Friday, May 15, 2009; 12:00 noon -- 2:30 p.m.
Family Planning Council
Suite 1000, 260 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia
Sponsor: Safeguards Project/Circle of Square
Contact: Nick Myers at (215) 985-6872
Speakers Bureau - (HIV Prevention Research - The Need for Advocacy & Health Policy)
Thursday, May 28, 2009; 5:30 -- 7:30pm
Family Planning Council
Suite 1000, 260 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia
Sponsor: Safeguards Project/Circle of Square
Contact: Nick Myers at (215) 985-6872
Rochester, NY
Press Conference and Training at Rochester City Hall
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
30 Church Street, Rochester, NY
9 am – Press Conference, Rochester City Hall Atrium
11 am – Training, City Council Chambers, 3rd floor
Speakers will include Rochester HIV Vaccine Clinical Research Site Principal Investigator, Dr. Michael Keefer; Katharine Kripke, Ph.Dc., Assistant Director, Vaccine Research Program, Division of AIDS, NIAID, NIH, DHHS; Steve Wakefield, Legacy Project Director for the NIH-sponsored HIV Vaccine Trials Network of Core; Rochester Mayor Robert J. Duffy; and an HVTU community volunteer.
Following the press conference there will be a two-hour educational forum. The Rochester HVTU is also organizing a meeting with several community organizations and representatives from the County Department of Health, as well as “thank you” ads to run in local newspapers along with a message about the need for volunteers in vaccine trials.
More information at: http://www.gayalliance.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1022&Itemid=191 or contact Scott Fearing at 585-244-8640
RSVP requested to: HVAD@gayalliance.org.
San Francisco, CA
Castro Street Outreach
Monday, May 18, 2009; 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Castro Muni Station, 440, Badlands, Magnet and the Midnight Sun
Sponsors: San Francisco AIDS Foundation, San Francisco Department of Public Health
Contact: Tom Kennedy at (415) 863-3587
Seattle, WA
Latino Health Fair
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Contact: Luis Viquez at (206) 860-6969 for more information
Drag/Fashion Show
Monday, May 18; 8p.m.--midnight
Chop Suey
1325 East Madison St, Seattle
Sponsor: Lifelong AIDS Alliance
Contact: Tom Yang at (206) 957-1701
Washington, DC
A Community Update on HIV Prevention Research
Thursday, May 14, 2009; 7:00 pm Human Rights Campaign Equality Center, 1640 Rhode Island Ave, NW
Could a pill a day protect you from HIV? Could a gel, liquid, or foam prevent vaginal or rectal HIV transmission? Will we one day have a safe, effective HIV vaccine? Join us for a discussion on HIV prevention research taking place around the world and in Washington DC. We’ll discuss vaccine research, microbicide research, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) research. We’ll also talk about crystal meth and other substance use among trial participants, the connection between substance use and high-risk sexual behavior, and how researchers incorporate harm reduction counseling into clinical trials for at-risk individuals.
Sponsors: The DC Center - DC Crystal Meth Working Group - NIAID NIH Vaccine Research Center - Capital Area Vaccine Effort - Department of Health - District of Columbia - Military HIV Research Program (MHRP) - Us Helping Us. This program is funded in part by the Government of the District of Columbia
More information is available at http://www.fighthivindc.org/2009/04/community-update-on-hiv-prevention.html, or contact Ernest Hopkins at (202) 446-1100 or Sandra Sitar at (301) 594-8569
"A Boost for African Science" Congressional Briefing
Monday, May 11, 2009; 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Room, 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Ahead of HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, the Global Health Council, International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) will host a congressional briefing to spotlight advances in African research and provide an update of global HIV vaccine research efforts. Experts from Kenya and South Africa will share their perspectives from the frontlines.
For more information, please contact Sara Jane Muratori at smuratori@iavi.org.
Members of the NIAID HIV Vaccine Research Education Research Initiative (NHVREI) will also host HIV vaccine presentations, roundtables and seminars; circulate print and electronic educational and information materials; and hold more vaccine research visibility events throughout the month of May. Please visit http://bethegeneration.nih.gov/
www.vaccineenterprise.org