amfAR
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research (formerly The American Foundation for AIDS Research) is an international non-profit organization for HIV/AIDS research, education, and public policy. Since 1985, it has invested close to $250 million from donations and issued grants to more than 2,000 research teams.[1]
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[edit] History
Founded in 1985, amfAR had its roots in 1983 with the NY based AIDS Medical Foundation (AMF) and the Los Angeles based National AIDS Research Foundation (NARF). Its goal was to raise funds for research since the Government was slow in providing funds. AMF made its first grants in 1984 as well as beginning to educate both the public and legislators. In September 1985, amfAR was created when AMF merged with NARF, which had been incorporated in California in August 1985. [1] Influential in its founding was Mathilde Krim, Ph.D. (the founding Co-Chairman and, at the time, a researcher at New York's Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center) along with Dr. Michael Gottlieb (the other Founding Co-Chair), an LA based physician who led the National AIDS Research Foundation, and Elizabeth Taylor, the founding International Chairman. Kevin Robert Frost is the current Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
[edit] Role of Celebrities
Since its inception, many public figures have given their time, energy and money to the organization. Currently, the Chairman of the Board is Kenneth Cole (a shoe designer who has used his ads to raise awareness about AIDS); trustees included Harry Belafonte and Natasha Richardson; whose family asked for people to donate to the organization instead of giving flowers[2]. Sharon Stone serves as the Chairman, Campaign for AIDS Research. [3] Madonna also has a long history with amfAR receiving an award for her work with the organization in the 90's, and having in the past donated profits from the ticket sales of two shows (both at Madison Square Garden in New York City - one in 1987 and the other in 1990) to the organization. Comedian Kathy Griffin requested guests donate money to AmfAR in lieu of giving gifts at her wedding to former husband Matt Moline in 2001.
