History

 

Year

 

AIDS Community Services/Western New York

National/International

1983

 

Dr. Ross Hewitt, a resident in infectious diseases at Millard Fillmore Hospital, hosts the first organizational meeting of the Buffalo AIDS Task Force (BATF) on July 14, 1983. 

 

There are 3 known cases of AIDS in Western New York.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) rejects a proposal for a research study to determine whether women get AIDS.

 

Congress passes a bill that includes the first funding specifically targeted for AIDS research and treatment.

1984

 

 

 

BATF receives its first funding from the AIDS Institute. The first paid staff person, a Program Coordinator, is hired and an AIDS Hotline is established. 

 

Volunteer educators provide AIDS information to 100 people through community education programs.

The virus that causes AIDS is identified by American and French scientists. It is later renamed Human Immunodeficiency Virus - HIV.

1985

 

 

Buddy Volunteer Program is established and client intake procedures are developed.

 

Administrative Assistant; Education Coordinator, and Services Coordinator positions are created

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the first HIV antibody test.

 

The first HIV test sites open in New York and San Francisco.

1986

 

 

BATF changes name to Western New York AIDS Program to reflect service area of eight WNY counties, and moves to 1,000-sq. ft. space in the Jackson Building, 220 Delaware Avenue.

 

Ed Darstein hired as Executive Director.

First panel of the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt is created.

 

U.S. Surgeon General issues landmark report that calls for AIDS education and condom use to prevent HIV transmission.

 

Activists in New Haven and Boston begin the first syringe exchange programs.

 

President Reagan uses the term AIDS publicly for the first time.

1987

 

 

Agency creates a new logo and moves to expanded offices in the Jackson Building at 220 Delaware Avenue.

 

The Normal Heart is performed at Studio Arena Theater and raises $5,000 for the agency.

 

AZT (zidovudine), the first drug for the treatment of AIDS, is approved by the FDA.

 

AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) founded in New York City by activist Larry Kramer.

 

Journalist Randy Shilts publishes "And the Band Played On," his acclaimed chronicle of the AIDS epidemic.

1988

 

 

Erie County Medical Center becomes western region’s AIDS Designated Care Center

 

Benedict House, a residence for people living with AIDS, opens on Plymouth Avenue in Buffalo.

 

Western New York Interfaith AIDS Network formed.

 

AIDS Service Providers Consortium, later named the AIDS Network, is established.

Ryan White, an HIV positive teenager, testifies before the President’s Commission on AIDS.

 

The first World AIDS Day is held December 1st.

 

ACT UP closes down offices of the FDA to protest delays in approval of experimental HIV medications.

1989

 

Ron Silverio, former Board President of BATF, is named new Executive Director.

 

Adolescent Services and Addictions programs begin.

 

WNY Health Systems Agency publishes report estimating that as many as 6,000 people are HIV positive in Western New York.

U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grants $20 million for HIV care and treatment, providing many states with their first involvement in HIV care and treatment.

 

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issues first guidelines for prevention and treatment of Pneumocystis carini pneumonia (PCP).

1990

 

 

Western New York AIDS Program changes name to AIDS Community Services of Western New York, Inc. and creates a new logo, the evergreen tree.

 

Agency holds first Cause for Celebration, which is attended by 400 people and raises $16,000.

 

AIDS Family Services is founded to provide counseling services to families affected by AIDS.

18-year-old Ryan White dies. Later that year Congress passes the Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act and names it after him.

1991

 

 

Community Follow Up (intensive case management) program begins.

 

Agency moves to larger offices at 121 West Tupper Street.

 

Jamestown office opens in the Family Services building, staffed by one case manager.

 

Local physician Dr. Neal Rzepkowski discloses that he is HIV positive.

Professional basketball player Magic Johnson announces that he is HIV positive.

 

Funding authorized in 1990 by Ryan White CARE Act is distributed for the first time.

 

 

1992

 

 

Agency staff grows to 29.

 

Adam Lingner of the Buffalo Bills volunteers in ACS’ teen program and serves as Honorary Chair of Cause for Celebration with wife, Marcy.

 

Tom Hammond, a leader in the gay community and ACS consultant for many years, dies.

AIDS becomes the leading cause of death of American men ages 25 - 44.

 

1993

 

 

Agency establishes two new affiliate corporations: the Evergreen Foundation and the AIDS Association.

 

1700 people attend Cause for Celebration, which raises $50,000.

 

200 people attend 10th anniversary reception at Albright Knox; Lt. Gov. Stan Lundine serves as Honorary Chair

President Clinton creates the White House Office of National AIDS Policy.

 

Four French officials are jailed for allowing HIV-tainted blood into France's blood banks.

 

FDA approves the female condom.

 

1994

 

 

Housing Assistance Program begins

 

The first AIDS Walk, chaired by Mayor Anthony Masiello and wife Kate raises $55,000

 

532 people with HIV are served by the agency. 218 have died since services began.

FDA approves the first HIV saliva test.

 

AIDS becomes the leading cause of death among all Americans ages 25~44

 

1995

 

Gay & Lesbian Outreach Program begins

 

Voices Magazine, an HIV prevention tool for gay and bisexual men, is launched.

 

Former Executive Director, Ed Darstein, dies.

Olympic champion diver Greg Louganis discloses that he is HIV-positive in a televised interview with Barbara Walters.

 

Era of combination therapy begins when FDA approves Saquinavir, the first protease inhibitor to be prescribed for HIV patients.

1996

 

 

The Regional AIDS Interfaith Network (RAIN) joins the AIDS Association as an affiliate member. 

 

Agency moves to larger offices in the Roanoke Building at 206 South Elmwood Avenue

 

Evergreen Health Services, the agency’s HIV primary care center, opens on November 13.

Reports from the 11th International Conference on AIDS indicate that combination therapy, ­with the addition of protease inhibitors, is helping extremely ill AIDS patients regain their health.

 

The AIDS-themed musical “Rent" by Jonathan Larson, wins Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award for Best Musical.

 

AIDS researcher Dr. David Ho, named Time Magazine's Man of the Year for his groundbreaking work on protease inhibitors.

1997

 

 

Pathways Magazine is launched

 

Chautauqua County Health Department and law enforcement officials reveal identity of an HIV positive man who admits having unsafe sex with 14 young women in Jamestown. ACS staff responds to more than 40 local and national media inquiries.

 

More than 900 people receive supportive services and 192 patients are seen in Evergreen Health Services.

Reports indicate that deaths from AIDS-related complications fell 13 percent in the first six months of 1996 - the first significant drop in deaths since 1981, attributed to protease inhibitors and combination therapy.

 

1998

 

 

New York State Health Department begins HIV testing at Evergreen Health Services.

 

Tornado warnings cancel AIDS Walk. 

African-American leaders declare an AIDS-related state of emergency in black communities and launch the National Minority AIDS Initiative.

 

U.S. Supreme Court rules that people living with HIV are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

1999

 

 

ACS co-sponsors national HIV vaccine trials with ECMC

 

World Health Organization announces that AIDS has surpassed tuberculosis as the most deadly infectious disease, and is the fourth leading cause of deaths worldwide.

 

Research teams discover cases of newly infected individuals in the U.S. and Europe with highly multi-drug-resistant forms of HIV.

2000

 

 

Evergreen Foundation purchases the 1850’s Victorian home at 200 South Elmwood to ensure agency’s long-term presence on the Lower West Side.

13th International Conference on AIDS is held in Durban, South Africa - the first time the gathering is held in a developing nation.

2001

 

 

Nutrition program expands to include full-time nutritionist, grocery delivery service, and daily lunch program (in collaboration with AIDS Alliance).

World Trade Organization agrees to allow developing countries to make or import generic medications in the case of public health crises.

2002

 

 

Urban Services Center opens on Bailey Avenue in September, funded by the John R. Oishei Foundation.

 

Mental health services are established.

 

Multi-media campaign promoting HIV testing debuts

AIDS becomes the leading cause of death worldwide among people ages 15-59.

 

Women now account for almost half of all HIV-positive adults worldwide.

 

U.N.-backed Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria is created.

2003

 

Niagara Falls office opens in March

 

 A new fundraiser, Dining Out for Life™ is held in 27 restaurants and raises $22,069

 

President Bush announces the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief to fight HIV overseas.

 

South Africa, which has the highest number of HIV-positive people in the world, announces plans to create an HIV treatment program.

2004

 

 

Agency is first in region to offer OraQuick 20 minute rapid testing.

 

Agency receives its first federal funding, a five-year grant from the CDC to develop rapid HIV testing and prevention programs targeted to high-risk communities. 

 

AIDS Association establishes Alianza Latina to address HIV and other health issues in Buffalo’s Latino communities

Two pharmaceutical companies announce a collaboration to combine Sustiva, Emtriva, and Viread into a once-daily pill.

 

A formulation of Videx is the first generic anti-HIV medication approved for U.S. sale.

2005

 

 

ACS staff totals 103

 

1,492 people with HIV receive services from the agency.

 

Congressman Brian Higgins opens a “Congress on your Corner” office at ACS to assist clients with accessing federal benefits.

 

ACS participates in Empire State AIDS Ride, which raises $39,104 for the agency.

AZT patent expires and four generic versions are approved for the U.S. market.

 

2006

 

Collaborative program with International Institute begins to serve growing refugee and immigrant population

 

ACS staff work with public television station WNED to produce documentary film about HIV/AIDS in WNY and Southern Ontario called Dangerous Silence.

 

The “Garden at the Victorian” created by and for people living with HIV, wins a “Buffalo in Bloom” award and is featured in the Garden Walk Buffalo book.

 

AIDS Association purchases an apartment building to expand housing services, and the Roanoke Building

 

The last Cause for Celebration is held in September.

 

Agency receives major grant from the Junior League of Buffalo and the Buffalo News for a newly launched capital campaign.

AIDS advocates score major victory when Congress reauthorizes Ryan White CARE Act with minimal cuts in funding

 

2007

 

 

 

Dangerous Silence airs in February across Western New York and Southern Ontario. Volunteers answer more than 1,600 calls during the broadcast.

 

Buffalo Public Schools announce that Dangerous Silence will be the official AIDS curriculum in grades 7 – 12.

 

Project Reach, Western New York’s syringe exchange program, becomes part of ACS.

 

2008

103 restaurants participate in Dining Out for Life which raises more than $100,000