amfAR VP Chris Collins Receives Positive Leadership Award from the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA)

Award given in recognition of efforts to lead the development of a National HIV/AIDS Strategy

For Immediate Release 

Media Contact:
Cub Barrett, Program Communications Manager
(212) 806-1602 

NEW YORK April 27, 2010—amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, congratulates Vice President and Director of Public Policy Chris Collins for receiving the Positive Leadership Award from the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA) for his advocacy leadership in support of the development of a National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

Chris Collins

The award, which he shares with three other HIV/AIDS policy leaders, was presented at a reception in the Rayburn House Office Building on April 26.

”I’m very honored to receive this award from NAPWA,” Collins said. “We look forward to working with the Administration to implement a National HIV/AIDS Strategy that brings needed coordination, accountability, and outcomes orientation to the domestic response to AIDS.” 

Collins, who joined amfAR’s Washington, D.C.-based public policy office in May 2009, has spent nearly two decades working in HIV/AIDS policy and advocacy, including serving as an adviser to U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on HIV/AIDS and health policy. In 2007 he wrote Improving Outcomes: Blueprint for a National AIDS Plan for the United States, which was published by the Open Society Institute. At amfAR, he has been instrumental in furthering the Foundation’s legislative and policy priorities, including working with Congress to successfully lift the federal funding ban on syringe exchange programs; advocating increased government funding for global HIV/AIDS programs; and helping to develop priorities and focus areas for a National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

“Chris’ knowledge of both HIV/AIDS policy and the U.S. government has made him an indispensable leader in the field and at amfAR, and I’m so pleased he’s being recognized by NAPWA for his track record of success,” said amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost. “We look forward to working with the White House as it continues to develop and implement a National HIV/AIDS Strategy.”

About amfAR
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy. Since 1985, amfAR has invested more than $307 million in its programs and has awarded grants to more than 2,000 research teams worldwide