The New York Times - November 18, 1985

Carol Burnett was in New York at the studios of WNBC-TV recently recording the announcements for the newly formed American Foundation for AIDS Research, a national organization that will raise funds for research and public education. Stations in Detroit and Los Angeles have also agreed to broadcast the announcements, according to the foundation.

"Many people say fighting AIDS is hopeless," the actress says in one of the announcements. "I don't believe them. Polio, smallpox were conquered. We can end AIDS, too."

For the new foundation's organizers, the announcements are the start of what they hope will be a stepped-up campaign against acquired immune deficiency syndrome, which destroys the body's immune system. Nobody has recovered from AIDS and there is no cure or vaccine.

Merger of 2 Groups

The foundation, with offices in New York and Los Angeles, is the result of a merger of two groups, one in each city. "With one foundation, we won't compete for funds and talents," said Dr. Mathilde Krim, who was chairman of the New York group, the AIDS Medical Foundation, and is co-chairman of the new organization. "As there is one cancer society, one lung association and one heart association, there should be one AIDS foundation."

The New York group was founded in 1983. Since then, its organizers have "pleaded and begged" to raise an estimated $1 million, which they have distributed for AIDS research and education, according to Dr. Krim, a research biologist.

The Los Angeles group, the National AIDS Research Foundation, was formed last summer. Its chairman, Dr. Michael S. Gottlieb, who is credited with recognizing AIDS as a new disease in 1981, will also serve as co-chairman of the new foundation. The Los Angeles group received wide support from entertainment industry, Dr. Gottlieb said. $250,000 From Rock Hudson Such support has already spilled over to the new American Foundation for AIDS Research. For example, the actor Rock Hudson, who later died of AIDS, provided $250,000 in start-up funds for the foundation and pledged it a portion of the proceeds from his forthcoming autobiography.

Elizabeth Taylor, the foundation's national chairman, has announced that other entertainers have committed themselves to perform in a benefit concert at Hollywood Park this spring.

Dr. Krim said that raising funds for AIDS research was the major task, especially since such grants from private foundations have been rare.

According to data from the Foundation Center, a national clearinghouse for the nation's grant-making institutions, only 18 grants for AIDS research have been given by foundations and corporate contributors since 1983.

Locally, the most support for AIDS victims has come from the Health Services Improvement Fund, established by Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield. The fund has donated $210,000 to study the costs of treating AIDS patients in five New York-area hospitals. Grants totaling $200,000 were also made by the New York Community Trust, primarily for research.

For the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, nearly $109 million in Federal funds was earmarked for AIDS research, public education and aid to victims, according to Jeanie B. Daves, a spokesman for the Federal Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.

William J. Misenheimer, a former Xerox Corporation executive who is executive director of the new foundation, said the group hoped to supplement the Government grants approved this year for researchers. Some researchers receiving Federal grants have complained that the money arrives in small amounts spaced out over time.

Dr. Gottlieb said that the foundation would give funds to researchers based on the merit of applications.

Contributions to the campaign should be sent to the American Foundation for AIDS Research, New York, N.Y. 10116.

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