Where would we be now without "Act Up":

[jm1953]

Just watched a documentary about Larry Kramer on HBO or one of the premium channels.  Thank God for him and the countless "Act Up" warriors.

Without Larry Kramer's and "Act up's relentless determination to fight for those dying of AIDS, I don't think many or none of us would be here today.  Without their efforts HIV meds may have taken years to come out.

In the documentary they speak of the 1996 Crixivan trial by Merck.  I believe this was the first PI to be released and patients who were near death began to turn around remarkably.  I can personally speak to that as I was in this trial, and I was near death before I went on it.  This was a four arm study, and just by chance, I was on the arm which included the full AZT and Crixivan combo.
 
I hope all these incredible efforts are not forgotten and die off with us.  No one left to tell the story.

This is why I am so glad documentaries about Larry Kramer, AmFAR, and others are in the mainstream now.  And powerful films like "The Normal Heart" and "Dallas Buyers Club" which have both achieved critical claim.  But most importantly reminds people what it was like during the first years of the epidemic which were such a nightmare.

And proud that many of us participated in the Clinical Trials which not only saved our lives, but laid the groundwork for where we are now.

This documentary lifted my spirits, maybe igniting a spark that had been almost extinguished. 

Anyway, just wanted to share this with you as fellow LTS.  Especially those who were a part of "Act Up", and those who participated in the early Clinical Trials.

[weasel]

 Hey JM ,
               One can not mention ACT-UP without giving huge credit

   to Peter Staley !     Those men worked thier asses off .


    I'm greatful for all of the work done to push drug makers and the gov.

    to fund them .

                                                                      Carl

[Jeff G]

And let us not forget the hard work Andy Velez has done and still does with Act up, he was there in the beginning also .

[weasel]

And let us not forget the hard work Andy Velez has done and still does with Act up, he was there in the beginning also .

    I did not know that Jeff .
   Act up saved us all .

                                                                                       Carl

[leatherman]

"The Normal Heart" and "Dallas Buyers Club"

if you enjoyed those, add "How to Survive a Plague" and "We were Here" on your list of movies-to-watch