AVERT

AVERT is an educational and research charity with its main focus on preventing HIV infection.

Mission statement

AVERT aims to prevent people from becoming infected with HIV, to improve the quality of life for those already infected and to work with others to develop a cure.

AVERT is also the main UK AIDS charity funding vital medical research projects at leading research centres to aid with the long term aim of finding a cure for AIDS.

History

AVERT was founded in 1986 by Annabel and Peter Kanabus. At this time, AIDS was mainly seen as a 'gay disease' that would have a limited impact. However, after speaking to doctors who had recently returned from Africa, Annabel and Peter were concerned to learn of widespread heterosexual transmissions and the increasing infection of young children. But how long would it be before the same pattern began to emerge alongside the increasing infection amongst gay men in Britain?

It was soon realised that there was very little in the way of AIDS education and research charities in the UK. It was decided that a separate AIDS education organisation was needed. To address this a new charity was set up by Annabel and Peter, AVERT - the AIDS Education & Research Trust.

In 1986 AVERT, in association with the National Union of Students, initiated the first ever student campaign with its focus on HIV prevention.

In 1987 the government started its national AIDS awareness campaign and it became important for AVERT to fill in the gaps in what the statutory bodies were offering. As the government focused on providing leaflets which AVERT was already producing, AVERT decided to turn its attention to development work.

By 1988 the main question being asked was "Do people really know enough about AIDS?" The first ever study on the effect on pregnancy on the progression of HIV disease, funded by AVERT, revealed a startling gap between the level of medical knowledge and the quality of information available to pregnant women. To try and improve the situation Annabel and a colleague, Judith Schott, wrote the leaflet 'AIDS & Childbirth'. The leaflet aimed to explain the facts known about HIV, AIDS and pregnancy as clearly and simply as possible.

A similar lack of knowledge was also revealed amongst young people. Despite a national awareness campaign carried out in the UK, AVERT research discovered that young people had an appalling lack of knowledge about AIDS. Despite the volume of information that was available, little had sunk in. Comments from the young people themselves set the agenda for the booklet 'AIDS & Young People' using their personal accounts to help answer their questions.

Both publications proved to be far more successful than AVERT had expected. With thousands of copies being distributed every year, demand grew for further information on other areas around AIDS. A resources programme was established, and has grown according to need.

In 1997 there are now ranges of booklets for both young people, and people who are HIV positive. Funded studies include those that have looked at the needs of specific communities, HIV related weight loss and the ongoing national study of HIV in pregnancy and childhood. As a result many reports, books and active learning packs have been published which have helped a wide variety of health professionals, teachers and decision makers to further their work. An information service and an internet site have both been established to help answer the many questions people have around AIDS and HIV.

In recent years AIDS has gradually slipped down the political agenda. To try to maintain current levels of AIDS education, AVERT is increasingly carrying out basic information and awareness work. Much has been learnt from the last ten years, particularly around the needs of young people. Resources such as AVERT's 'AIDS - Working With Young People' pack (1991) have enabled those who work with young people to discuss potentially difficult issues more easily. Similarly, reports such as 'Drug Use In Prison' have helped inform policy over the years.

Over the past 18 months breakthroughs in medical treatments have brought much new enthusiasm, but this has made education more difficult. With so little known about the new drugs, and the continuing absence of a cure, both education and research must continue if we are to keep 'AVERTing AIDS and HIV'.

Education

Through the publication of information booklets, AVERT enables people to have a better understanding of HIV infection and AIDS. In order to provide as many free educational booklets to those requiring them we need your support. Every donation helps, whatever the amount and enables us to ensure that people have access to the information that they need.

Research

AVERT's commitment to medical research has recently led to the establishment of a Postgraduate Studentship programme. Scientific discoveries are often made when a scientist is young and AVERT is therefore encouraging gifted science graduates to start their careers in AIDS medical research. AVERT hopes that if given the initial support, graduates will continue to work in AIDS research and will make a major contribution to future breakthroughs.

The AVERT funded studentships will be looking into the immune system's response to HIV infection and the effectiveness and impact of treatments for HIV infection and AIDS.

We need your support to fund as many new projects as possible, enabling us to move one step nearer to a cure for AIDS.

Donations

AVERT relies entirely on voluntary donations to fund vital research and education and to continue AVERTing AIDS. If now and in the future we are going to make a crucial difference in the fight against AIDS, we need more people to become involved and show their support. It is particularly useful if people can help on a regular basis, enabling us to plan ahead and be more efficient in our work.

To find out more details about the ways you can help AVERT or to pledge your support to AVERT's research and/or education using your credit card please:

AVERT (Aids Education and Research Trust)
4 Brighton Road
Horsham
West Sussex
RH12 1JD

01403 210202
01403 211001
avert@dial.pipex.com
http://www.avert.org/

Associated Medical Information