On June 21, 2008 GAIA VF proudly hosted an official ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly opened HopeCenter Clinic.Founder and Scientific Director Dr. Anne De Groot, Co-Chairperson Sophie Sprecht Walsh, as well as volunteer researchers Binny Chokshi and Sophie Berner were a part of the celebration.
Check out the pictures from the event and read more about this exciting day on the GAIA blog!
The Global Alliance to Immunize Against AIDS Vaccine Foundation (GAIA VF) is a Rhode Island-based non-profit organization working in Bamako, Mali and in Providence, Rhode Island.
Our mission is to promote the development of a not-for-profit HIV vaccine to the developing world by supporting collaborative programs in affected communities.
GAIA VF believes that an HIV vaccine should be distributed at no cost to individuals living in developing nations, should be built using strains of HIV that circulate in countries most afflicted by HIV/AIDS and should use technology that will work in those parts of the world.Making an HIV vaccine that is “not-for-profit” and “globally relevant” requires a new way of thinking about vaccines in general, and HIV vaccines, in particular. No other groups have proposed to develop a globally relevant HIV vaccine; most are working on country-specific approaches. Nor have other groups proposed to make an HIV vaccine available at no cost to persons at risk of HIV infection in the developing world; most HIV vaccines are being developed by for-profit companies.HIV medications are now being distributed at no cost in some countries. GAIA VF proposes to extend that model to vaccines.
Africa is home to the highest number of people living with AIDS and is the epicenter of the global epidemic.
GAIA VF is involved in setting up a field trial site for the GAIA HIV vaccine. In doing so, GAIA VF has established a "PreventionNow!" campaign in Mali.
GAIA VF believes that active, ongoing collaboration with West African physicians and support for clinical activities in the region will improve the health of West African children and their parents. GAIA VF's work in Mali helps to foster the development of the type of regional knowledge base and level of care that is needed to pursue an ethical implemenation of HIV care and future HIV vaccine trials in the region.
Mothers and their babies gather at the GAIA-supported Sikoro Community Clinic
