Be Here For The Cure II (1993)

Annie Leibovitz's portraits of people with HIV featured in S.F. AIDS Foundation's Early Care Campaign

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, MAY 13, 1993 -- The San Francisco AIDS Foundation announces the premiere of a new educational campaign featuring Annie Leibovitz's thirteen portraits personalizing the spirit of people living with HIV. Ms. Leibovitz will be on hand to help present the campaign at the Foundation’s annual Leadership Recognition Dinner on Thursday, May 13, 1993 at the Fashion Center San Francisco. Beginning Friday, May 14 the portraits will be on display in 80 bus shelters around San Francisco with a hotline number for more information on HIV/AIDS.

Internationally known for her celebrity photographs for Vanity Fair and Rolling Stone, Leibovitz has donated her time and talents to this project. "When the Foundation asked me to take portraits for the campaign," Leibovitz recalls, "I didn't hesitate to say yes. I felt I must offer my services to help educate people about HIV. We all must do whatever we can."

This continuation of the community-based "Be Here for the Cure" campaign is designed to urge that people who are HIV-positive take all necessary steps to stay healthy. Early treatment begins with antibody testing, and continues with seeing an HIV-knowledgeable health care provider, monitoring the immune system, and seeking drug treatment if appropriate. It may include a wide range of other healthy approaches, including sound nutrition, reduction in drug and alcohol use, rest and exercise, and stress release.

The idea for this phase of the campaign came from people with HIV who responded to the Foundation's 1992 "Be Here for the Cure" campaign. "I received notes, phone calls, and visits from men and women who spoke about how HIV had transformed their lives, and of the importance of having hope to stay healthy," says campaign director Bill Hayes. "I decided that, for the continuation of this campaign, I would try to capture some of them; to show real people living with this disease. I hoped that their examples might inspire others who are HIV-positive to get testing and early treatment."

The Foundation asked over 40 local AIDS service providers to recommend potential subjects for the campaign. From those recommendations, the final list of subjects was developed. The portrait subjects give a sense of the determination, humor, and vitality typical of many who are living with HIV. They are of a range of ages, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and sexual orientations. Each individual's philosophy about living with HIV is written in their own handwriting on their portrait.

One couple writes for their statement: "Having HIV reminds us of what's important in life: love, family, a good marriage, humor, and a good doctor."