NCAAN traces its roots to previous HIV/AIDS advocacy groups that formed in response to local and statewide HIV/AIDS crises as far back as the start of the HIV epidemic in the 1980s.  NCAAN was founded in 2006 and has won a series of HIV/AIDS policy victories since then.  The organization’s most recent success came last year, when NCAAN responded to the state’s closure of the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) to new enrollments, which resulted in a wait list that grew to 829 people by July 9th, 2010.  NCAAN worked in coalition with Equality North Carolina (ENC) and NCHRC to generate hundreds of postcards and emails and over 700 phone calls to key decision makers.  This advocacy made a huge difference in winning the budgetary battle to allow ADAP to reopen for PLWHA at or below 125% of the federal poverty line who need ADAP assistance to access life-saving HIV medication.

With a grant from the National AIDS Fund, NCAAN hired its first full-time staff person in 2010.  As of mid-November 2011 we have one full-time staff person, three part-time interns, 767 Volunteer Team members, and 5489 Action Team members statewide.  We are grateful to our foundation, corporate, and individual donors for their support of our work, and are especially proud to be an AIDS United 2011 Southern REACH recipient

The North Carolina AIDS Action Network (NCAAN) is a statewide advocacy organization fighting for the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), their loved ones, and people at risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS in North Carolina.