40 Ways To Fight The Fight Against AIDS

Joan Parker brought Marc Sawyer and me together. I was telling her that I wanted to do an interesting pro bono project to get through the doldrums of winter 94. “Talk to Marc,” she said. Marc had already set up The Living With….Group and had designed and published, “40 Ways…..” ” It would be wild,” he said, ” to illustrate the 40 Ways with photographs.”

Didactic portraiture. How would it fit in with my style of portraiture? Could a photograph illustrate an idea and try to convince someone to do something and still be a portrait? Was this going to be advertising photography or portraiture? Was there an inevitable gulf between the two?

I called my friend and neighbor, David Meyers, a professional cleaner extraordinaire who does volunteer cleaning and asked him to help me work through this puzzle. Would he pose for number 25 “Help Clean House”?? The next afternoon, he came to the studio with all his favorite brushes, mops, and soaps. We got into it. The intellectual and esthetic issues which are very challenging when discussed over coffee didn’t intrude in the studio. Taking the photograph of David with the legendary Polaroid 20×24 was fun and it was a portrait.

I could imagine Marc and me trying to find friends and friends of friends to illustrate the list of helping ways. I wasn’t plagued by the aesthetic question, was this or was this not portraiture. Marc called Dannie Kelly and Mauricio Munozo at Community Servings. They came with their pots and stacks of prepared meals. One at a time, we made phone calls, found people, and went down the list. (Considering how bad a winter it was and how many times we had to reschedule I can’t believe neither of us thought of adding “Shovel the sidewalk” to the list in homage to the weather.)

This list of what we can do to be involved in the fight against AIDS is grounded in the minutiae of daily life. The projects are simple. They can be done in our neighborhoods, even on our own blocks or in our own apartment buildings. And they are a model for how to be involved in the fight for cures of other diseases. Communication. Information. Participation. Political involvement. Fundraising. Friendship. We all know someone who would swoon for a lasagna left on the doorstoop.
40 Ways to Fight AIDS

1. Know the Facts

2. Dispell The Myths

“AIDS sounds like such a scary disease. I would be afraid to be in the same room with someone who has it. I might catch it.”

3. Talk About It

4. Be A Buddy

A Buddy provides one-on-one emotional support and friendship to a person living with AIDS. Contact your local AIDS service organization to volunteer.

5. Be A Group Educator

Many AIDS service organizations will train you in “AIDS 101” so you can speak informatively to others about HIV and AIDS.

6. Practice Safer Sex

Learn the facts about safer sex. It is more than just using a condom every time.

7. Be A Condom Dispenser

Carry condoms with you everywhere and share your supply. Set them out at parties as favors.

7. Help Provide Meals

Your local meal delivery program needs help with everything from preparation to delivery.

9. Walk the Walk

Or dance the dance.Sponsor and be sponsored in, pledge-funded events. Most importantly, be active and participate.

10. Bring A Friend

Worthwhile events are always more fun in groups.

11. Write A Check

12. Wear A Care Pin

A symbol of love and concern, the Care Pin raises awareness andmuch needed funds. It says you don’t have to infected to be affected.

13. Wear A Red Ribbon

It’s not just a fashion statement. Talk about it.

14. Make A Quilt

The Names Project can give you complete information about making a quilt panel for the Aids Memorial Quilt.

15. Answer A Hotline

Hotline volunteers are trained to offer callers support, guidance, information, and referrals to other resources.

16. Apply Your Skills

Your local AIDS service organization has the need for volunteers with varying types and degrees of experience. Whatever you’re best at–use it.

17. Work A Fundraiser

Lend a hand in everything from set up to clean up.

18. Act Up

Get political. Make your views known.

19. Write A Letter

Tell your local, state,and national leaders to do More!

20. Explore The Art Of Giving

Purchase gifts that donate proceeds to an AIDS support organization. Make a cdonataion in someone’s name,and ask to have donations made in place of receiving gifts.

21. Hold A Baby Affected By HIV

Volunteer time at a local pediatric unit. All children need love and affection.

22. Consider Being Tested

Early intervention continues to prove to be the best course of action. If you decide to be tested, do so where you have access to pre- and post-test counseling.