I began my involvement with AIDS Research Alliance many years ago through my support of the arts.  I was then invited to serve on the Planning Committee for the agency’s benefit, ArtSeen.

From my role in that event, it was a natural leap to broader support of the organization. Throughout my involvement, I’ve seen how this organization has impacted the way HIV research is conducted.  Having suffered the loss of a number of friends to AIDS, I appreciate how important it is to advance HIV science.  I’m honored that I have been chosen to lead AIDS Research Alliance at such an important time, and to help the organization achieve its full potential.

The tragedy of AIDS is just as important as our troubled economy, our nation’s energy independence, and global climate change.  We must support AIDS Research Alliance and its work to find a vaccine and a cure.

We are both long-term survivors of HIV/AIDS, living 20+ years longer than we ever thought we would.  We both lost many friends during the earliest years of the epidemic. They died waiting for effective treatments.  But for the grace of God, we are alive today because of medical research.  We even lived long enough to marry!  In memory of our lost friends, we cannot think of another organization more worthy of our charitable gifts. 

David Michod was born in Queensland, Australia. He worked on a family tobacco farm for many years until landing a job at Rothmans of Pall Mall. David’s drive and passion helped him excel at all he did. Posted and trained throughout the world, David eventually landed in Atlanta, serving as president of Tobacco Exporters International and Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Lane Limited.

After an early retirement, he returned to Australia, which served as home base for his extensive travel. David passed away in 2005 from melanoma cancer. David truly believed in the mission of AIDS Research Alliance. At his passing, he bequeathed $642,000 to AIDS Research Alliance.

Morris Fox was born and raised in northern England in 1921. He served in the English Royal Air Force during World War II. After the war, he immigrated to the United States. After settling in Southern California, Morris was an in-demand designer of store windows at many of the biggest department stores of the era, including Bullocks Wilshire, I. Magnin and Saks Fifth Avenue. For the last 15 years of his life, Morris lived comfortably in the Park La Brea Towers. In May 2005, Morris died of pneumonia. He was 84 years old, and survived by a circle of friends throughout the city. He didn’t know us personally, but Morris did know of our work and left AIDS Research Alliance a quarter of his estate to pursue our independent research.

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