Patient Advocates Against PeTA

Take Action! Protest North Country Next Monday

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Join PAAP Next Monday as we protest the opening of Charlize Theron's new movie, North Country, and demand that she stand on the side of AIDS patients and research!

Open Letter to Charlize Theron

September 7, 2005

Ms. Charlize Theron
c/o PMK/HBH
700 San Vicente Blvd. Suite G 910
West Hollywood, CA 90069

Dear Ms. Theron,

As a world-famous actress who sets an example for people across the globe, we, the undersigned advocates of a cure for AIDS, oppose your endorsement of PeTA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)

PeTA opposes AIDS research that requires the study of lab animals. PeTA’s President Ingrid Newkirk once said even if animal research produced a cure for AIDS, “we’d be against it.”

We agree with you that animals should be treated with compassion, and we applaud your efforts to advance animal welfare. However, we value human life as well.Humane, responsible animal research represents the best chance and holds the greatest potential to find a cure for AIDS.

Today, there are 37 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS. In the past 25 years, 20 million people have died from AIDS. By 2010, 44 million children will have been orphaned by the disease. Despite recent gains in medicine, 3 million people with AIDS died in 2003.

Your advertisements for PeTA -- and participation as an honorary committee member of its upcoming 25th Anniversary Gala on September 10, 2005 -- legitimize this group’s opposition to AIDS research, jeopardizing the lives of millions worldwide.

Ms. Theron, you have a choice: You can choose to support the search for a cure to AIDS, or you can continue to support an organization that stands in our way. On behalf of the millions of people living with HIV and AIDS, we hope you will join our fight for a cure.

Sincerely,

ACT-UP DC
ACT-UP Southern California
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
AIDS/HIV Health Alternatives
Amassi
HIV Incarcerated Task Force

Thomas Backer, Ph.D.
Helen Berberian
Peter Cashman
Steve Corchado
Dr. Geneviève Clavreul
Joseph Crampton
Nicholas Davis
Richard Eastman
Christina Edwards
Patricia Edwards
Joe Ferreri
Susan Forrest
Jessie Gonzalez
Rose Gonzalez
Terry Grand
Fernando Iniguez
Kyron Kopanos
Steven May
Jane Nachazel
Cleve Jones, Founder, Names Project
Edward Neunebel
Vincente Peña
Ron Ruck
Beverly Schwerin, RN

TONIGHT! Panel discussion: “Hollywood Hypocrisy: How Celebrity support for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PeTA) is hindering the search for a cure to AIDS and other deadly diseases"

What: Panel discussion: “Hollywood Hypocrisy: How celebrity support for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PeTA) is hindering the search for a cure to AIDS and other deadly diseases"

Who:  

Why: PeTA is marking its 25th anniversary with a Hollywood gala at Paramount Studios. The panel will examine how celebrity endorsements of PeTA endanger cures for deadly diseases--such as AIDS, breast cancer and Parkinson's because of PeTA's staunch opposition to animal research.

In the past 25 years, 20 million people have died from AIDS. Yet PeTA’s President Ingrid Newkirk says even if animal research produced a cure for AIDS, “we’d be against it.”

The PAAP coalition says “enough is enough” and will demand Hollywood’s Hypocrites, starting with Charlize Theron, choose between life-saving research and PeTA. The panel will address the importance of animal research to medical progress and discuss the media’s role in holding PeTA celebrities accountable for their actions.

Who:

• Genevieve Clavreul, RN, PhD. AIDS Activist, Moderator
• Dr. Oswald Steward, UC-Irvine
• Cleve Jones, The Names Project/AIDS Quilt
• Peter Nara, DVM, PhD., former Section Chief of the National Cancer Institute's Vaccine Resistant Disease Section
• Frankie Trull, Foundation for Biomedical Research
• Cody Unser, Activist daughter of Al Unser, Jr.
• Charlize Theron (invited), representative from PeTA Gala Host Committee

Where: Cal State University - LA, Golden Eagle University Club

When:  September 7, 2005, 7-9 PM

Fighting Hollywood Hypocrisy: An Introduction to PAAP

Patient Advocates Against PeTA (PAAP) is a grassroots organization representing the interests of patients everywhere who object to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ opposition to necessary animal research that could one day lead to cures for deadly diseases.

PAAP was founded by Dr. Genevieve Clavreul, an ardent advocate of patient rights for over 20 years. A nurse by training, Dr. Clavruel has been been fighting for people with AIDS for more than two decades.  She was a founding member of Act-UP L.A. and treated some of the first AIDS patients.

As PeTA prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary with a celebrity party at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, the stars (link) in attendance will send a dangerous message to patients everywhere. By standing with PeTA, these stars will, by association, object to vital animal research that could one day lead to cures for diseases such as AIDS, breast cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and others. They will, by default, oppose stem cell research -- which requires animal research and holds the best hope of curing those suffering from paralysis and other ailments. By supporting PeTA, these stars stand in opposition to the millions of patients around the world who are counting on animal research to yield a cure that will enable them to live longer, happier and healthier lives.

Take, for example, Charlize Theron -- arguably one of the biggest celebrities listed on PeTA’s honorary host committee. Charlize Theron has admirably supported charity efforts to treat AIDS in her native South Africa, and she supports Project Angelfood, whose “mission is to nourish the body and spirit of men, women, and children affected by HIV/AIDS and other serious illnesses.” However, Theron contradicts herself when she poses in an ad for PeTA—whose mission includes blocking the basic research needed to eradicate diseases like AIDS.  This sends a destructive message to fans that one can support the advancement of medical discovery and the positions of PeTA at the same time when the causes are mutually exclusive.

Astonishingly, some stars support PeTA at the same time that they are supporting searches for cures to diseases which require animal research.  Gillian Anderson, Alec Baldwin and Shirley Jones are just a few of these Hollywood Hypocrites.

Celebrities cannot support PeTA and the search for cures simultaneously--it must be one or the other.  While PeTA promotes itself as a fashionable organization, it has a destructive agenda which impacts patients everywhere.  Celebrities must choose between supporting PeTA or supporting patients.  The time is now.  There is too much at stake.

To learn more about how you can help PAAP, please email gclavreul@gmail.com.

List of Hollywood Hypocrites

The following Hollywood celebrities have all supported PeTA, a group which is opposed to all animal research. At the same time they have directly benefited from or supported important charities whose work relies on the very research PeTA opposes:

Gillian Anderson: Her brother suffers from Neurofibromatosis and she is Honorary Spokesperson Neurofibromatosis Association (U.K.).  Gillian has also lobbied Congress for more research funding and education.

Pamela Anderson: Pamela has done charity work for Liver disease includes American Liver Foundation—Grand Marshal (10/27/02), S.O.S. ride aimed at combating hepatitis C, Canadian Liver Foundation—involved in ABC’s of Liver Disease: A National Conference on Viral Hepatitis

Christina Applegate: Christina has done charity work for Breast Cancer, including Lee National Denim Day—2003 Spokesperson (promotes breast cancer research, education, screening, and treatment with Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation)

Rosanna Arquette: Rosanna has supported numerous causes including AIDS - Attended 2001 amFAR gala; Breast Cancer - Quilts of Inspiration—submitted quilt block for massive Komen Foundation quilt fundraiser

Bea Arthur: Bea is a supporter of AIDS charities through multiple galas/fundraisers, etc.

Alec Baldwin: Alec supports a number of charities for AIDS - More information; His mother is a survivor of Breast Cancer and Alec is Executive Vice President of Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund; He also attended gala for Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation to support Spinal Cord Injury charity work.

Jillian Barberie: Jillian supports AIDS research and care, attending “Karaoke Revolution” fundraiser for Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation; For the City of Hope was the Moderator, The Real Deal: A Celebration of Your Favorite Out & Proud Reality Show Stars (12/11/03)

Kim Basinger: Kim is a supporter of a number of AIDS chairities

Marc Bouwer: Marc designed a gown for a doll that would be sold to support breast cancer research

Rebecca DeMornay: Rebecca attended Carousel of Hope fundraiser for Pediatric Diabetes

Kevin Eubanks: Kevin volunteers to fight Pediatric Diseases and Disorders at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles with weekly visits with hospitalized pediatric cancer patients; He also spoke at fundraiser benefiting Neil Bogart Memorial Fund, devoted to hands-on research for the treatment and cure of children with cancer, leukemia, and AIDS

Edie Falco: Edie is a breast cancer patient and has benfited from the research PeTA opposes.  She also participated in “Curtain Call for Carolers” fundraiser Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDSin 2004 (a service organization for AIDS patients)

Carrie Fisher: As a bipolar disporder patient, Carrie has benfited from research opposed by PeTA. She has also supported charities fightin AIDS as an attendee at the Art for AIDS Charity Auction and fighting Pediatric Diabetes attending the Carousel of Hope Gala.

Joan Jett: Joan supported T.J. Martell and Libby Ross Foundations by covering the Beatles’ “The Word” to support awareness of Breast Cancer research.

Shirley Jones: Shirley contributed to charity auction for Discovery Fund for Eye Research

David LaChapelle: David contributed artwork to Village Care of New York’s Network of AIDS Services “Who Do You Love? Art Exhibit and Sale” and charity auction for Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.  He was also was part of the Got Milk! campaign which contradicts his support for PeTA on so many other levels.

Bill Maher: Bill supports AIDS, Cystic Fibrosis & Cancer charities. He also attended “Rock & Soul to Erase MS” party; MORE

Cindy Margolis: Cindy conceived her child using In Vitro Fertilization, and is a major advocate for RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association

Paul McCartney: McCartney has been criticized by British scientists for his support of organizations which animal research

Rue McClanahan: As a breast cancer survivor and advocate, Rue has benefited from research which PeTA opposes.

John McEnroe: The John McEnroe Foundation has donated to Lenox Hill Hospital, Pediatric AIDS Foundation

Olivia Newton-John: Olivia has founded Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre (research & treatment) in Melbourne, Australia

Carlos Ponce: Carlos participated in Hope & Harmony Golf and Tennis Classic for Diabetes Research Institute

Dennis Rodman: Dennis participated in the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain to benefit Multiple Sclerosis research

Charlize Theron: Charlize supports Project Angelfood and AIDS charities in her native South Africa