Love to the Elton John AIDS Foundation from IRMA

Once again, the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) has recognized the important work IRMA is doing, providing us with $25,000 in their latest round of 2009 grants (see blurb below.)

Many, many thanks to EJAF for their ongoing support - it is deeply appreciated. We really couldn't continue without them. And IRMA can't do this work without YOU - so thanks to each of you for making your voices heard on the importance of developing safe, effective, acceptable and accessible rectal microbicides for women and men worldwide.

AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC), Chicago, IL, $25,000
This grant will support the International Rectal Microbicide Advocates’ (IRMA) global advocacy across six continents. Since AFC launched IRMA with three other North American partners in 2005, this coalition has grown to include more than 800 scientists, advocates, and policy makers promoting the research and development of safe, effective, and acceptable rectal microbicides for the women and men who need them. Through concerted global advocacy, IRMA has brought visibility, legitimacy, and respect to the emerging rectal microbicide development field and set the stage for researchers to develop these new, lifesaving tools more quickly and effectively. Thanks to support from EJAF in FY09, IRMA further expanded its reach and capacity, forming a close strategic collaboration with the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC); supporting the launch of a sister organization in Latin America, IRMA – ALC (América Latina y El Caribe, based in Lima, Peru) and in Africa through the launch of IRMA-Nigeria; and increasing its global membership by 60% since 2006. During this time, UCLA completed and reported on the first Phase I human rectal safety trial, and up to three additional Phase I rectal safety studies are about to begin. In FY10, AFC sees great potential for the rectal microbicides field, as there has never been more global recognition or support for the development of these new prevention tools.

Thank You Elton John AIDS Foundation!

Wonderful news IRMA!

In a continuation of its extraordinary vision and support, the Elton John AIDS Foundation has just announced a $25,000 award to IRMA Secretariat AIDS Foundation of Chicago. These critical, much-appreciated funds will allow IRMA to continue its global advocacy efforts around the research and development of safe, effective and acceptable rectal microbicides for the millions of men and women who engage in anal intercourse and desperately need new, user-controlled prevention options beyond latex.

Due in no small part to significant, structural and cultural homophobia at all levels of society, coupled with official, programmatic denial of the role unprotected anal intercourse plays in the HIV pandemic, IRMA struggles to find the resources necessary for our work. We are very, very grateful to Elton John AIDS Foundation for stepping up time and again to reach the most vulnerable, most marginalized populations on the planet.

The day the first safe and effective rectal microbicide is available - women and men around the world will have Elton John AIDS Foundation at the top of their thank-you list.

Here are the specifics:
AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Chicago, IL, $25,000
This grant will support the International Rectal Microbicide Advocates (IRMA), a coalition of scientists, advocates, and policy makers promoting the research and development of safe and effective rectal microbicides for men and women. Over the last two years, IRMA has affected significant achievements in this field, including the publication of the first ever report evaluating microbicide research and funding. IRMA's long term objectives are to significantly increase and diversify funding for microbicide research, and to accelerate research by engaging new scientists in this field.

EJAF’s Founder and Chairman Sir Elton John stated, “ EJAF’s strategic approach to grant-making continues to respond adroitly as both the domestic and global AIDS epidemics evolve, investing donor dollars where they are most needed and will have the greatest impact.”

Check out the rest of the EJAF September 2008 grants.