Chicago Agencies Selected to
Promote HIV Vaccine Awareness

CHICAGO—Through a highly competitive selection process, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and Working for Togetherness were chosen by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to participate in a campaign to educate HIV-affected communities in Illinois about HIV vaccine research. The agencies are two of only 20 groups nationwide to receive funding for the NIAID's National HIV Vaccine Communications Campaign.

"HIV vaccines are still years away from reality, yet many Americans believe that a vaccine exists," said Mark Ishaug, executive director of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. "Our goal is to share scientifically accurate information about how vaccine research and clinical trials work so that those at risk for HIV understand the benefits of vaccine development."

According to an NIAID survey, 20 percent of the general population, and higher percentages of African-Americans and Hispanics, believe an HIV vaccine already exists. Clinical trials in countries around the world are underway to test potential HIV vaccines, but none have yet resulted in an effective prevention tool.

"HIV/AIDS is a crisis in Chicago, especially among men who have sex with men and in communities of color. An HIV vaccine is our best hope in this fight," said Clifford Armstead, executive director of Working for Togetherness. "It is important that people impacted by HIV are part of the discussion about prevention and the role of HIV vaccines. This funding will allow us to begin this critical conversation."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Illinois ranks 6th in the nation in number of cumulative AIDS cases while an estimated 35,000 Illinoisans are infected with HIV/AIDS. 70% of AIDS cases reported in 2002 were among people of color.

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago was awarded $20,000 to conduct HIV vaccine presentations across Illinois. Working for Together received $20,000 to provide HIV vaccine education through mobile multi-media street outreach, cable television shows, and workshops. Both groups are sponsoring activities for HIV Vaccine Awareness Day on May 18, 2004. This year's event theme "Real People. Real Progress" acknowledges the thousands of volunteers, scientists, and health professionals working on finding a safe and effective vaccine to prevent HIV.

Funding for the National HIV Vaccine Communications Campaign was made available through Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, subcontractor for NIAID.

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Founded in 1985 to provide central leadership in the fight against the epidemic, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) promotes sound HIV/AIDS public policy, funds HIV/AIDS care and prevention projects, and through its Service Providers Council, helps to coordinate the delivery of essential HIV/AIDS services.

WORKING FOR TOGETHERNESS is a 501c3 nonprofit community-based organization, which has been in existence since August 1999. Serving the south and west sides of Chicago and East St. Louis, Working for Togetherness is devoted to providing integrated HIV/AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Infection prevention services.