Arthur McCoy contracted HIV/AIDS in 1987 and lived a destitute life on the streets of Chicago before receiving help from the Salvation Army. He later moved to Las Vegas where he volunteered with Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN) as a peer educator, sharing his story of survival with at-risk groups. McCoy now works full-time at AFAN managing the food pantry and as a spokesperson, helping others who come to AFAN seeking hope. The 16th annual AIDS Walk Las Vegas on April 23rd will help raise proceeds for AFAN to support nearly 1,500 people living with HIV/AIDS in Nevada.

1. For Immediate Release For More Information, Contact:
March 31, 2006 Jennifer Mesa, 702/382­2326, mesajm@wellsfargo.com
AFAN Inspires Survivors
AIDS Worker Transcends Health Obstacles, Builds
Life
Arthur McCoy smiles when he tells his story. He has survived AIDS since 1987
and considers each day a blessing. “I had a long way to travel to get here, and I eagerly
help others along their journeys.”
It was not always this way for McCoy. When he first contracted HIV/AIDS at age
52, McCoy lived in Chicago, where he slept in abandoned freight cars and scrambled for
food. Year after year, he experienced physical abuse as part of his destitute life on the
streets. Then, one day, based on the urging of a local police officer, McCoy turned to the
Salvation Army for help. Counselors placed him in their residential facility where, for 18
months, he learned how to re­build his life.
McCoy had a strong determination to give something back for the care he
had received. So, while residing in an area half­way house, he volunteered to speak
throughout the community about his own AIDS survival. Inspired by the need to change
his life and the desire to reconnect with his mother, McCoy moved to Las Vegas in 2003.
Shortly after his arrival, McCoy sought out medical treatment and met Dr. Dino
Gonzalez, associate director of the University Medical Center Wellness Centers
HIV/AIDS Program.
According to Gonzalez, who is a Board Certified member of the American
Academy of HIV Medicine, “AIDS is a heterosexual disease that spreads prevalently

2. among communities, especially those that are historically challenged with power
imbalances between men and women.” Gonzalez believes that peer education maximizes
the reach to minority communities, where HIV/AIDS is widespread. Aware of McCoy’s
interest in helping others, Gonzalez encouraged him to get involved with Aid for AIDS of
Nevada (AFAN).
Immediately, McCoy volunteered to work in the AFAN pantry, as well serve as a
peer educator for AFAN’s Project Upfront. Volunteers for Project Upfront share their
pre­ and post­HIV/AIDS stories with high­risk populations within the community.
Lane Olson, an AFAN staff member and Project Upfront coordinator, stresses,
“We’re experiencing a dynamic change, with a growing prevalence among minorities,
teenagers, and women.” Because of this demographic shift, Olson also strongly supports
peer education, topic visibility, and awareness because “these are the best tools to reach
vulnerable populations.”
The CDC (Center for Disease Control) reports that in 2005, African­Americans
comprised approximately 25 percent of all new cases reported in Nevada. Mirroring this
trend, in 2005, the Clark County Health District reported that HIV/AIDS cases among
African­Americans make up 25 percent of all reported cases in the county. McCoy, who
is African­American, focuses his energies on educating this minority community.
McCoy has been an extraordinary and positive role­model for AFAN as well.
“We encourage him to ‘tell his story’ wherever and whenever he can,” said Caroline
Ciocca, executive director, AFAN. Ciocca promoted McCoy to a full­time employee of

3. AFAN in 2005 and, since then, he has proudly managed the organization’s food pantry.
In his off­hours, McCoy continues to represent AFAN as a spokesperson.
“Every day, people who have no hope come through our doors. I smile at them
and lift their spirits,” said McCoy. “I got my life straight. It can be done.”
McCoy’s story is just one of many that exemplifies AFAN’s positive impact on
our community. Another demonstration of this impact is “AIDS Walk Las Vegas–2006.”
The 16​th​
annual AIDS walk is scheduled for Sunday, April 23. The walk
officially begins at 10:30 a.m. at the corner of Third and Ogden Streets. Team and
individual sign­in will commence at 9:00 a.m. The 2.5­mile route will involve local
celebrities, who are planning to provide entertainment along the path of the walk.
Proceeds from the event will help AFAN, Nevada’s oldest and largest HIV/AIDS
service organization. AFAN provides support and advocacy for nearly 1,500 men,
women, and children who are infected with HIV/AIDS.
For more information about “AIDS Walk Las Vegas–2006 ” or AFAN, visit
www.AFANLV.org​ or contact Caroline Ciocca at 702/382­2326 or
Caroline@AFANLV.org
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