We need rallies, marches, protests

[zeev]

I think what we need to concentrate much more on gathering attention for research funds rather than put most of our efforts on private fundraisers.

Of course fundraisers are great, the more the better. However, I think if we get media attention, and as a result public support, public funding could skyrocket. This increase of public funding not only increase the SCI research budget by millions, but would also help fundraising.

I believe that 15 years ago, people were less willing to donate towards AIDS research than they are now. This is because they understand the disease much better now. We can have the same effect if we start protesting and organizing marches and rallies.

Now all we need to do is organize and start taking action. What do all of you think?

[Jeff]

The problem is that no one is willing to step up to the plate to organize something. We had a lot of interest in doing a roll on Washington a year ago. We just couldn't find support from any existing organizations and no new ones popped up. I think CRPF could probably pull something like this off if they wanted but I doubt they will ever approach it. Maybe after reaching out on care-based issues with their new initiative [forgot the name], they will feel like they are building the relationships necessary to mobilize more of us. Look at the support for the ADA. It's amazing. Care definitely garners more attention than cure. It's sad but I'm trying to see the bright side. There's an old saying: "People don't care what you know until they know that you care." I think CR is trying to reach out in more ways than just promoting cure technology. Maybe this will give him broader support and more influence to get things done within the community. Unfortunately, support for the Cure has not skyrocketed the way I always thought it would. Sometimes I feel we are like a lone voice crying in the wilderness

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