October 9, 2008

AIDS Institute Executive Director Dies

Gene Copello, executive director of the AIDS Institute, died October 7 in Alexandria, Virginia, from kidney complications, the Washington Blade reports. He was 49.

According to the article, Copello is credited with helping bring the research and advocacy group to a national level, with offices located in Washington, DC, and Tampa, Florida. He recently attended a White House ceremony where President Bush reauthorized the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which Copello urged Congress to pass.

“This is a great loss to the AIDS Institute and the entire HIV/AIDS community, and we will forever miss Gene’s leadership and friendship,” said AIDS Institute official Carl Schmid.

A funeral service for Copello will be held 1 p.m., Monday, October 13, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church near Dupont Circle in DC.

Search: Gene Copello, AIDS Institute, PEPFAR

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Jose Villarreal, Del Rio, 2008-10-11 19:28:38
With all my repect. I wish I could know what caused his kidney complications that lead him to his death. Was he under a (tenofovir) Truvada, Viread or Atripla antiHIV regime?, was it the virus itself?, did he have a previous history of kidney disease or failure?. I ask this because I am very concerned at the recent findings about tenofovir causing kidney failures in patients who are following treatment with meds that have this chemical. I hope I could know.