Marin AIDS Project displays quilt, laments lack of funding

lover of the earth and its life

  enthusiastic friend

    stonemason

    peacemaker

      beautiful dancer

          John Janus

The simple panel in white and red hangs inside a public space at the Town Center in Corte Madera. It's a panel from the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, several panels of which are displayed there to commemorate World AIDS Day on December 1.

The Marin AIDS Project (MAP) which is an event sponsor, offered holiday items for sale to help raise money for the ailing non-profit. Andy Fyne, Community Relations Coordinator for MAP told us they needed all the help they could get after MAP lost its entire funding source for prevention and education.

"We're in a real pickle this year," said Fyne, "If you've ever thought Marin AIDS Project was a worthwhile cause, now is the time to send us a check, now is the time to donate. We don't have a replacement for those funds."

The Marin Community Foundation withdrew funding last year and that--along with a drop in money from the state--has hit the non-profit hard as a large part of their mission was AIDS awareness, prevention and education.

Fyne cited the lack of one crucial service that is a victim of the funding crisis and which once previously provided by the county- free, anonymous and rapid-response HIV testing. Currently, there is no place in the county you can get that type of testing.

"We're trying to find a way to do a free, anonymous rapid test here [at MAP]," said Fyne.

The MAP has nine full-time employees according to Fyne and they serve 160 clients in Marin.

A few of the panels will remain up for a few more days and can be seen from the outside near P.F. Chang's.

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