| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
May 18, 2009
|
Media Contacts:
Krishna Stone, GMHC, 212-367-1016
GMHC deeply mourns the loss of Rodger McFarlane
GMHC deeply mourns the loss of Rodger McFarlane, one of our first volunteers and first paid Executive Director from 1983 to 1985. Rodger was an AIDS warrior, immediately responding to the fight with our founders before there was a name to the disease. In 1981, he set up the world's first HIV/AIDS hotline with his own phone and answering machine. Over 100 calls were recorded the first night. Rodger fiercely led GMHC's pioneering work to oppose discrimination against people with AIDS, while empowering the agency in its early years of developing client services, educational programs and advocacy on a local and national level. After he left GMHC, his force-of-nature AIDS activism continued through his leadership at organizations such as Bailey House, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and the Gill Foundation.
"I knew Rodger for most of my adult HIV/AIDS political life," said Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of GMHC. "He was a mentor, a guide, agitator and friend. Rodger changed the culture of HIV awareness, funding and pragmatism. He left an indelible mark on GMHC. The world is a greater place because of him."
Some of Rodger's friends wrote an extraordinary statement about this extraordinary man. Please click here to read the full statement.
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About Gay Men's Health Crisis: Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. We provide prevention and care services to more than 15,000 men, women and families that are living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS in New York City, and advocate for scientific, evidence-based public health solutions for hundreds of thousands worldwide. Our Mission: GMHC fights to end the AIDS epidemic and uplift the lives of all affected.
© 2009 Gay Men's Health Crisis |
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