Nevada: Public's Assistance Sought in AIDS Fight

Aid for AIDS of Nevada, the state's primary HIV advocacy and assistance agency, has launched its first-ever public fundraising campaign. AFAN has long received funding from special events such as the annual Black and White Party and from its April AIDS Walk, as well as from individual donations from people with a vested interest in the disease. Officials at the 22-year-old agency are hoping to try and raise public awareness about the disease and AFAN's programs by launching the "Campaign of Courage."

"We have worked hard to educate the public that AIDS is not just a gay man's disease," said Rob Elliott, an AFAN board member and immediate past chairperson. "The reality is we have to keep our programs going, and to do so we need to step up our visibility in the community."

AFAN officials acknowledge they have relied too heavily and for too long on federal funding. But cutbacks or flat funding from the federal government threaten some of the agency's programs, which include medical assistance, housing and transportation aid, emergency financial help, legal services, food vouchers, groceries, counseling and referrals for substance abuse.

Caroline Ciocca, executive director of AFAN, said "Campaign of Courage" was the next logical step in the agency's growth. The effort's fundraising goal is $75,000. Mailers will be sent out to current supporters as well as local residents who may never have given money to the fight against HIV/AIDS. "The campaign will allow us to tell the story about this disease to more people and continue to educate the public, which is one of our goals," she said.

Virgin advertising is donating printing services, labor and materials to the campaign.

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