A very long time ago, it seems, there was a group of women and men who called themselves The ACT UP Coalition. It was formed in the late 1980's and its main focus was urging and demanding that the FDA release experimental drugs that would as that would, at least, increase the longevity of those with AIDS. We, with AIDS, are alive due to the actions ACT-UP. They were strong, they were loud and they spread messages in every major city in America. They, particularly, went to Washington, D.C. demanding the utilization of the medications that we have today. People were dying weekly and this drastic group needed to be formed. Between 1987 to 1992, activism was at an all time high. It was during this time that Dame Elizabeth Taylor formed her own foundation (The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation). At the 1996 release of Protease inhibitors (a special kind of medication), ACT-UP (more or less) disbanded and we fell into a false period of complacency. With these drugs, people could live twenty years or more but this is not the time to give up. We must come together, as a people, once more, and demand a cure. It seems now the drugs that we take to fight AIDS can be just as deadly as having AIDS, itself, and this condition will only increase, get worse. So, together there must be a cure because I believe that only then will people infected.... who do live twenty or thirty years.... will live in peace. In viewing these short film clips, please donate to the cause that has become Dame Elizabeth Taylor's life mission for over two decades. The eradication of AIDS in the world. Until such time, "The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation" funds programs and organization that give direct care to the population of millions affected with HIV/AIDS...whether it is direct care or related/ associated services. So many people are now living longer with AIDS/HIV due to advances in viral medication technology, but the impact of living a life with AIDS is far reaching. AIDS affects all of us, in one way or another. Generations of young people are not conscious of the 1980's. The face of AIDS has changed since the time when those who were ill were visibly stigmatized, akin to being lepers. Now, those with HIV/AIDS live life among the general population attempting to cope with the disease. Sometimes, silently. Emotionally, the impact is just the same as those first diagnosed. Fear. The only solution is to rid the world of this disease, therefore opening a technological highway aimed to ignite the remedy to so many other diseases as well.
Any amount of time or money will push this development ahead, not behind...never behind!
Thank you, Richard Bassett

xrichbassx@yahoo.com

The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation
c/o Derrick Lee
Reback Lee & Company, Inc.
1990 South Bundy Drive, #700
LA, Ca. 90025

Or visit:.elizabethtayloraidsfoundation.org