Mission: GMHC fights to end the AIDS epidemic and uplift the lives of all affected.

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. Additionally, GMHC effectively influences public policy, works to reduce social stigma, and spreads its message of HIV prevention by reaching out to most at-risk groups, and sponsoring social activities and events.
 
Gay Men's Health Crisis opened its doors in 1982 in response to the urgent need for information and services to be provided to New York City gay men, their partners and families. Founded in the home of playwright Larry Kramer, with Larry Mass, Paul Popham, Paul Rapoport, Edmund White and Nathan Fain, GMHC answered a call as these brave and tireless men, and their supporters, focused on raising awareness, crisis intervention and fundraising for AIDS research.
 
Now 27 years later, GMHC has grown to employ over 200 dedicated workers and hundreds of volunteers.  With a budget of over $30 million, GMHC serves more than 15,000 men, women and families living with and affected by HIV/AIDS each year. By using the talents and expertise of both staff and volunteers, our educational programs, services and materials reach millions more.

GMHC is active in setting public policy across the country and around the world to eradicate AIDS and other health issues surrounding the disease.  GMHC not only provides HIV prevention and health education, we also offer care and support to those who are living with HIV and AIDS. This support includes legal assistance, job training and placement, nutritional meals, groceries and counseling, case management, substance use counseling, HIV and other sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, clean-needle distribution, treatment adherence expertise and most importantly, a sense of community for those affected.

GMHC's total support and revenue in 2008 topped $31 million, with 81% of those funds going directly to programs, education and public policy. On Sunday, May 17, nearly 45,000 people will participate in AIDS Walk New York, benefiting GMHC and other tri-state AIDS service organizations. The annual fundraiser, also the largest AIDS Walk in the world, helps support GMHC's efforts to feed men and women living with HIV/AIDS, to test New Yorkers on site and with a mobile testing van, and educate about the underlying factors that place people at risk of HIV. To sign up for AIDS Walk, call (212) 807-9255 or visit the website-www.aidswalk.net.

Contact:

For general information regarding GMHC, please contact press@gmhc.org.
For social responsibility and cause-related marketing opportunities, please contact Samantha Taylor at samanthat@gmhc.org.