EGPAF News

From the Spring 1996 Update Newsletter:

In January hopeful news came from researchers of promising results with a new class of drugs called protease inhibitors. By using the new drugs in combination with other anti-virals, mortality can be cut in half and the amount of HIV in the blood can be dramatically reduced, allowing for a healthier functioning immune system.

This is great news, but the protease inhibitor is not being tested in infants or pregnant women by any of the drug companies who make a protease inhibitor.

The first five Elizabeth Glaser Scientists were named and awards were presented on February 15th to the world's leading authorities in: natural resistance to HIV infection, factors in long-term survival and HIV, the study of gene therapy to treat immune deficiency in children, and studies to understand why the immune system of infants deteriorates so rapidly after infection with HIV. The recipients were selected from approximately 200 international applicants. The Elizabeth Glaser Scientist Award is the only named award in AIDS research. By the year 2000, as many as 25 Elizabeth Glaser Scientists will work together to prevent HIV transmissions and help children with HIV live longer and healthier lives.

EGPAF has awarded 840 grants, totaling over $26 million as of December of 1995.

The third annual Kids for Kids family event held in New York City brought together celebrities, athletes, artists, models, television personalities and HIV-positive children and their families to raise over $1 million.

Walt Disney Pictures hosted the premiere of "Toy Story" and a party at the Funhouse to benefit EGPAF. Special guests of honor included Tom Hanks and Tim Allen and 250 HIV-infected children and their families.

After more than three years of hard work by clinicians, project coordinators, researchers and dedicated mothers, the Ariel Project for the Prevention of HIV Transmission from Mother to Infant saw the last infant born. The data is being analyzed by experts to determine: when infants become infected, how some are able to resist infection, and what factors can be discovered that will block HIV transmission.

The EGPAF's public service campaign urges all pregnant women to be tested for HIV. The Leslie Act, effective January 1, 1996, requires all health care professionals in the State of California to offer HIV testing and counseling to pregnant patients.

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