On November 24, 1991, Queen vocalist, Freddie Mercury lost his own personal battle with AIDS (auto immune deficiency syndrome). Though mourned by friends and fans alike, his tragic death was not completely in vain, because it also served to administer a harsh dose of reality to the collective consciousness of Queen fans world-wide, prompting them to join enthusiastically in the quest to promote AIDS awareness. As Queen fans, this is our cause, so here are some links to websites with HIV/AIDS information and resources, etc...
(Happy Birthday, Freddie)
www.mercuryphoenix.com
Establshed in 1992 by the surviving members of Queen and manager, Jim Beach; The MPT raises funds and distributes them to AIDS charities world-wide in memory of the incomparable Freddie Mercury, who lost his life to AIDS on November 24th, 1991. The MPT now has a website (launched 1/2000), and below is their contact information so you can send in your donations, volunteer your time, or inquire about their services:
The Mercury Phoenix Trust
Contact: Anne Meyer
P.O. Box 170, Rue Du Theatre #8
CH-1820 Montreux 2, Switzerland
Tel (as dialed from USA): 011-41-21-963-1283
Fax (as dialed from USA): 011-41-21-963-5656
Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) or international reply coupon (IRC) when writing to any non-profit organization you wish to receive a reply from.
THE NAMES PROJECT FOUNDATION
AIDS MEMORIAL QUILT
(404)688-5500 / Fax: (404)688-5552
This organization is responsible for the AIDS Quilt, whose numerous names panels are displayed worldwide in memory of those who have already lost their lives to AIDS. The Quilt provides a creative means for remembrance and healing, and serves to increase public awareness of AIDS. It is the Names Foundation's goal to illustrate the enormity of the AIDS epidemic and raise funds for community-based AIDS service organizations, as well.
This website includes a database (searchable by person or panel number) containing viewable full-color images of more than 42,960 individual Quilt panels. Entering the name "Mercury" brought up 29 panels that include dedications to Freddie, so you Queen fans might enjoy checking this out (especially if you also contributed a swatch, but never actually saw it incorporated into the quilt)... although I don't know if "enjoy" is the word: just the fact that there ARE over 42,960 panels is, in itself, rather frightening...
As 2001 marks the 10-year anniversary of Freddie's death, The Names Project reminds us that AIDS IS NOT OVER:
21.8 million people have now died from AIDS.
In 2000, AIDS caused an estimated 3 million deaths.
36.1 million people are estimated to be living with AIDS.
One of the ways you can support the Names Project is with online donations or purchases from their website Quilt Store (eg: a set of 6 postcards for $2 )
ASA - AIDS SOLIDARITY ASSOCIATION
This site can be viewed in either English or Italian and contains AIDS info, news on ASA activities, an AIDS Resource List with over 300 links to other AIDS/HIV related Internet resources all over the world, etc. - "ASA is a not-for-profit non-governative voluntary based association. According to Italian laws, a small contribution may come from the public administration but we must rely on donations to find funds for our activities. All our services for HIV+ and AIDS affected people are offered free."
Via Arena, 25 - 20123 Milan, ITALY
(39)2-58107084, Fax: (39)2-58106490
office hours (in Italy!): 10-7 M-F, 10-5 SAT
HIV INFOWEB
HIV InfoWeb is on-line library containing information on AIDS/HIV and a large database of organizations dedicated to AIDS awareness, research and community service.
CELINE'S AIDS RESOURCE LIST
AEGIS
AIDS Education Global Information System
Huge Global Database with: Links, Fact Sheets, News Services, Law Library, Publications, Reference, Connections to Others, Links, etc.
THE BODY
An AIDS and HIV Information Resource
Helping and Getting Help Page:
http://www.thebody.com/help.html
(many AIDS organization/resource links)
The Loel Poor Photo Exhibit:
http://www.thebody.com/loelpoor/index.html
The AIDS Memorial at The Body:
http://www.thebody.com/memorial/index.html
etc. etc. etc.
The Body is the Winner of the 2000 Time Inc. Health FREDDIE Award for Best Health Web site
THE RED RIBBON FOUNDATION
RED RIBBON NET
A central repository of HIV/AIDS related information
'The Red Ribbon Foundation was founded in memory of singer/songwriter Paul Jabara, who conceived of and distributed the first Red Ribbon, and who died of AIDS. The Foundation was created to raise money for distribution to HIV/AIDS researchers, primarily in the field of pediatric AIDS research; to promote awareness of the disease through distribution of the Red Ribbon; and to educate the worldwide public through efforts such as this web site.'
The Red Ribbon Foundation
1155 Camino del Mar, Suite 521
Del Mar, California 92014
National Director of Fundraising:
James Maddux: (909)797-2120
jmaddux@redribbon.net
If you would like to contribute to HIV/AIDS research through The Red Ribbon Foundation, you may now also do so online.
If you have questions about any of the programs that your donations will support, feel free to contact their National Director of Fundraising as listed above.
ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION
providing national leadership and resources that will result in educational programs on the prevention of HIV/AIDS and the improvement of care for individuals living with HIV/AIDS
Mailing Address:
Elton John AIDS Foundation
P.O. Box 17139
Beverly Hills, CA
90209-3139 USA
Voice Mail: (310)535-1775
'With offices in Los Angeles and London, the Elton John AIDS Foundation is an international non-profit organization funding prevention education programs and direct patient care services worldwide. The charity was established in 1992 by Elton John, who serves as its Chairman.'
MAGIC JOHNSON FOUNDATION
Los Angeles
After Freddie Mercury lost his life to AIDS in November 1991, this was THE charity that Queen & The Official International Queen Fan Club asked that North American Queen fans support in memory of Freddie via donations sent care of Hollywood Records... while at the same time, asking that UK+ fans support the Terrance Higgins Trust. (The Mercury Phoenix Trust had not yet been founded by Queen)
PROJECT ANGEL FOOD
Los Angeles
HOT MEALS TO HOMEBOUND PEOPLE WITH AIDS
Project Angel Food (PAF) provides home-delivered daily meals and nutritional counseling for men, women and children disabled by HIV/AIDS living throughout greater Los Angeles [90 routes ranging from Lancaster to Long Beach, and growing.] Meals are prepared by professional chefs and volunteer assistants, while registered dietitians provide individual nutritional counseling. There is no charge to clients for these services.
'Volunteers are a crucial component of this program, While the immediate need they fulfill is the prevention of hunger, these caring individuals also deliver compassion and help reduce the terrible isolation that many people living with AIDS often experience.'
Since its inception in 1989, Project Angel Food has prepared and delivered literally millions of meals.
THE AIDS COMMEMORATIVE
"A labor of love conceived through the shared vision of AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) and Life Planning Solutions™, this interactive web site was established as an online monument - a place to observe, celebrate and honor those who have touched us through their battles with HIV and AIDS."
"In just a few minutes, you can create a Commemorative Tile and your friend's memory will continue on, set in the Mosaic of Life beside their comrades in the fight against AIDS."
AIDS PROJECT LOS ANGELES
Service for people with HIV and AIDS
APLA is not only one of the AIDS organization that has been supported though SHA charity events for their wonderful work, but is also quite special because I know a number of Queen fans who volunteer with APLA in memory of Freddie Mercury...
APLA is a non-profit, community based organization which is a direct provider of
and resource for HIV/AIDS services and information; advocates at all government
levels for people with HIV/AIDS; and is committed to providing quality services
to all people infected by, affected by, and at risk for HIV. APLA works in
collaboration with other organizations to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS.
NOTE: the address and phone number previously listed here (1313 North Vine Street... 323-993-1330) and on APLA brochures and event programs distributed at our first couple of AIDS awareness events are no longer valid. APLA has since moved, so please use the new contact info listed below. --CZ 2001
Administration/Mailing Address:
AIDS Project Los Angeles
3550 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 300
Los Angeles, CA 90010
(213)201-1600
TTY: (213)201-1582
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APLA Client Services:
611 South Kingsley Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90005
(213) 201-1600
TTY: (213) 201-1582
APLA Client Line: (213)201-1500
APLA Housing Hotline:
(888)300-4033 toll-free, or
(213)201-1300
AIDS Testing:
(213)876-2437, (800)922-2437
APLA Dental Clinic
1127 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1504
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213)201-1388
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Additional contacts courtesy of APLA:
CDC National STD & AIDS Hotline:
(800)342-AIDS or (800)227-8922 (English, 24 hrs/7 days)
(800)344-SIDA (Spanish, 8AM-2PM, 7 days)
(800)243-7889 (TTY, 10AM-10 PM, Mon-Fri)
California HIV/AIDS Hotline:
(800)367-2437 or
(800)922-2438 (Multilanguage) or
(800)553-2437 (TDD)
Spanish Southern California AIDS Hotline: (800)400-SIDA
Los Angeles County STD Program Hotline: (800)758-0880
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long list of helpful HIV/AIDS links to:
= AIDS Service Organizations
= Government/International HIV/AIDS Organizations
= Online HIV/AIDS Publications and Resources
= Partners in the Fight
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A personal note of thanks (from Catherine):
I'd like to take a moment to add a special note of recognition to Los Angeles area Queen fan, Julie Weisel, who worked directly and personally with some very special HIV/AIDS persons through the APLA Buddy program. She made them her friends; invited them to live in her home (even at the protest of fearful friends and outside family members); and deeply shared in their suffering as, step-by-step, AIDS robbed them of the many things in life we all take for granted.
Quite sadly, her friendship with all of these people ended with their deaths. I was her "soft shoulder" phone/pen-pal through all of this and am very grateful to her for sharing the graphic and horrid realities of AIDS, thus also helping me to understand the full scope of what Mr. Mercury went through as he neared the end of his own life. (if you think that the details revealed in that "Mercury & Me" book by Jim Hutton were horrible, then believe me - you don't know the half of it! I'm convinced that most of what Freddie suffered was left OUT of that book...). Thank you, Julie - I think you've more than earned your place in "heaven"...
"My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies
Fairytales of yesterday will grow but never die
I can fly - my friends..."
