[Letter to M. E. Gore from Helen Miramontes]

JUL-31-97 14:58 From":14154766042

T-584 P 02/03 Job-255

The international Center for HIV/AIDS University of California, San Francisco...A Health Sciences Campus 2
Research and Clinical Training in Nursing
SCHOOL OF NURSING, N505
San Francisco, California 94143-0608
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
August 1, 1997
Mrs. M. E. Gore
Office of the Vice President
The White House
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mrs. Gore:
I am writing to request an appointment with you to meet with several women to discuss the
desperate need for a HIV/AIDS vaccine. Without a vaccine this epidemio will never be stopped.
In the United States we have had over a half million cases of AIDS since the epidemic was first
identified in 1981, and each year 40,000-80,000 new cases of HIV infection are reported to the
CDC. Young people are especially at risk with infections increasing more rapidly each year.
Yet the cases of HIV/AIDS in the U.S. only account for approximately 10% of the HIV/AIDS
cases worldwide. Ninety percent (90%) of the infections are occurring in developing countries.
In India alone, it is estimated that by the year 2000 there will be over 5 million cases of
HIV/AIDS. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that young women, ages 15-25, are
most at risk. We arc endanger of losing a whole generation of our young people if we don't stop
this epidemic worldwide.
As a mother I know that you are concerned about the welfare of children and young people.
Mothers have always been involved in addressing the health problems of our children.
Unfortunately many mothers do not realize the terrible danger that our children face with this
epidemic. An effective vaccine would greatly enhance our ability to prevent the spread of this
disease. Fifteen years into this epidemic the scientific and the IV/AIDS communities have yet
to identify the research and development of an AIDS vaccine as a top priority. Mothers need to
get involved. We would like to meet with you to discuss ways that you may be able to assist in
this effort.
The women that are requesting this meeting with you are: Dana Cappiello and Kathleen
Scutchfleld, co-founders of Until There's A Cure, Margaret Johnston, PhD, Scientific Director
for The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative founded by the Rockefeller Foundation, Sandra
Thurman, Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy, and Helen Miramontes, member of
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Training In Nursing 5571095.0495.077