A Breakfast of Champions

September 21, 2004

A Breakfast of Champions

Washington, DC – On September 22, 2004 AIDS Action Foundation will hold A Breakfast of Champions — an event to honor six national leaders who, through their work to improve HIV prevention, care, and treatment, have made a significant difference in the lives of people living with and affected by HIV.

“It is more important than ever to acknowledge those who serve as leaders in our response to the HIV epidemic

“With 38 million people living with worldwide, no one is unaffected by HIV—and we all have a role to play in the response,” AIDS Action Executive Dr. Marsha Martin observed. “Each of our honorees has done what we all must do if we are ever going to effect positive change: they accepted their individual responsibility for changing the course of the HIV epidemic while also remaining receptive to the perspectives and contributions of others.

“We feel it is a particularly critical time to highlight HIV leadership,” explained David Wexler, chair of the AIDS Action Foundation Board. While the re-authorization process for the Ryan White Care — a $2 billion social services program that is an essential part of our response to HIV in the United States—is already underway, it’s is not assured. Consequently, the leadership of honorees is needed now more than ever.”

The event’s honorees include:

Senate Majority Leader William Frist, MD, has represented the State of Tennessee since .He was the champion behind the passage of the U.S. Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2003 in the Senate and has been a proud supporter of the Ryan White CARE Act througoht his tenure in the Senate.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has represented California's Eighth District since 1987. She is the champion in the creation of the Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) program. She has also worked to accelerate development of an HIV vaccine, expand access to Medicaid for people living with HIV, and increase funding for the Ryan White CARE Act, the Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative and other programs vital to people living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS.

Hank McKinnell, Jr. PhD., Chairman & CEO, Pfizer Inc. and a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) is responsible for Pfizer’s decision to freeze the cost of its HIV drug Fluconazole in the United States and to provide it free-of-charge to over 90 percent of government clinics throughout South Africa as well as provide HIV-care training to more than 8,000 South African health care professionals. Dr. McKinnell serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).

Beny Primm, MD, is the founder of The Addiction Research and Treatment Corporation and has served as its executive director since 1980. Dr Primm serves on The Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) and previously served on President Ronald Regan’s National Commission on AIDS. He was a leading force behind the establishment of the Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative. Dr. Primm continues to be a champion of bringing critical health care to the poor.

Brenda Wilson, a journalist with National Public Radio has provided consistent and in-depth coverage of HIV. She shares a DuPont/Colimbia Award for Breaking the Silence, a series on HIV in the Black community, which also won an award from the National Association of Black Services.

Ervin “Magic” Johnson, founder of the Magic Johnson Foundation and an undisputed champion of basketball, has also been a champion of HIV education and awareness since 1991. The Magic Johnson Foundation has had an especially important impact of the youth of the United States.

All proceeds from the event, which will be held tomorrow from 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM at B. Smith’s Restaurant in Washington, DC’s Union Station, will go to the AIDS Action Foundation.

AIDS Action strives to end the HIV epidemic by advancing public policies that prevent new infections, provide care for people living with HIV, and support the search for a cure. AIDS Action serves as the national voice for people living with HIV and represents AIDS service organizations, health departments, and a diverse network of community-based organizations across the country.