California: Marin AIDS Agency Keeps Fighting

This year the Marin AIDS Project (MAP) celebrates two decades of work as Marin County's main provider of HIV/AIDS services and prevention education. When San Rafael nurse Kaye Ferdun and a few others formed MAP back in the mid-1980s out of concern about a lack of social services, she never thought the group would still continue the work 20 years later. "We didn't think there would be a need," said Ferdun.

Today, MAP has an annual budget of $890,000 with a paid staff of about 15 people and an estimated 125 active volunteers. This year, MAP will provide direct care to 258 people with HIV/AIDS and 60 clients with hepatitis C. MAP officials estimate the agency has reached almost 9,400 people through prevention and education outreach.

Executive Director Jennifer Malone said MAP has been transformed by new medications. "Fewer people die on an annual basis because of medications," said Malone. "As more people live with the disease, the needs are changing." Over the years, the group has shifted from exclusively easing patients through end-of-life issues to helping clients cope with the drugs' side effects and related health problems, and deal with the emotional toll of the disease. In addition, components such as a needle-exchange program and case management for those coinfected with hepatitis C have been added.

But MAP officials remain committed to traditional goals such as prevention, education, raising awareness and lowering risk in teens, young gay and bisexual men and the Latino population. Philip Gomez, who has served on the MAP board of directors for over four years, said the organization struggles against AIDS apathy. "We have to keep trying to keep people interested," Gomez said.

Back to other news for July 7, 2004