10/26/2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. — FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2026 — The Save HIV Funding campaign today released highlights from its Still Rally at IDWeek 2026 in Washington, D.C., where leading infectious disease experts, healthcare providers and HIV advocates gathered to sound the alarm over threats to federal HIV funding just days ahead of the midterm elections.
The October 21 rally followed an urgent congressional appeal signed by 139 organizations, calling for immediate action to protect the nation's HIV research infrastructure amid delayed funding for four sophisticated HIV clinical trial networks, threats of political interference in scientific grantmaking and the potential diversion of federal research dollars.
Set against a striking wall of black quilt panels inspired by the original AIDS Memorial Quilt, the rally brought together national health leaders and community advocates to underscore the human stakes of federal funding decisions — and warn that decades of progress in HIV research, prevention, treatment and care remain at risk.
139 ORGANIZATIONS SOUND THE ALARM
Delivered to congressional appropriations leaders on October 20, the organizational sign-on letter identifies three imminent threats to federal HIV research:
• Delayed clinical trial funding: An overdue funding opportunity threatens the renewal of four major HIV clinical trial networks — ACTG, IMPAACT, HPTN and HVTN — responsible for advancing HIV prevention, treatment and cure research.
• Political interference: Proposed changes to NIH grantmaking could undermine the scientific peer-review process and shift funding decisions toward political appointees.
• Threats to research dollars: The potential transfer of infectious disease research funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to the Department of Defense raises concerns about transparency, congressional oversight and the future of biomedical research.
The signatories warn that disruptions could dismantle research teams, compromise ongoing clinical trials and slow medical advances extending beyond HIV, including research into cancer, tuberculosis, viral hepatitis and emerging infectious diseases.
THE HUMAN COST OF FUNDING CUTS
The rally brought together leaders from the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA), AVAC, Whitman-Walker Health, PrEP4All and the U.S. People Living with HIV Caucus.
• Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH, CEO of IDSA, opened the program with a call to defend science and federal HIV programs.
• Mitchell Warren, Executive Director of AVAC, served as emcee, highlighting the campaign's efforts to safeguard HIV research.
• Ronald Johnson, representing the U.S. People Living with HIV Caucus, addressed the consequences of funding cuts for people living with HIV.
• Anna Person, MD, HIVMA Chair, emphasized the importance of collective advocacy and congressional leadership.
• Benjamin Brooks, JD, MPH, Director of Government Affairs at Whitman-Walker Health, addressed the consequences of defunding community-based HIV prevention organizations.
• Nada Fadul, MD, MPH, HIVMA Board Member, highlighted the implications of Medicaid funding changes and research losses for patients and healthcare providers.
A LOVE LETTER TO PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV
One of the rally's most personal moments came when Jeremiah Johnson, Executive Director of PrEP4All and co-founder of the Save HIV Funding campaign, read a love letter to people living with HIV written by advocate Kamaria Laffrey, who originated the campaign's powerful living obituary concept. Her deeply personal reflections inspired others living with HIV to write their own living obituaries, sharing the lives, futures and milestones they stand to lose if access to lifesaving treatment and care is threatened. Surrounded by Quilt panels, the reading brought the discussion back to the people whose lives depend on continued access to research, prevention, treatment and care.
