Until There's A Cure Co-founder,
Kathleen Scutchfield

The Woman Behind The Campaign By Heather Riccio

      The campaign that has garnered worldwide attention for a disease that still needs to be remembered, was founded by a San Francisco area mom who just wanted to bring awareness to a troubling pandemic. Kathleen Scutchfield co-founded the Until There's A Cure Foundation in 1993, hoping to raise awareness for HIV/AIDS.

Kathleen served as president of the Foundation for five years and is currently secretary of their Board of Directors.

HILARY Magazine recently interviewed Kathleen about her role in the organization and its success.

HILARY Magazine: Can you tell us a bit about your background before you started the Until There's A Cure Foundation (UTAC)?

Kathleen: I was educated in Texas and on the East Coast. My major interests were studio art and language. I was a single mom and was managing my own investments. By the time I co-founded the Foundation, I was middle aged and had many different experiences and passions in my life. The thing that struck me about HIV/AIDS was that is was spreading exponentially and indiscriminately.

HILARY Magazine: What makes UTAC different from other organizations with the same cause?

Kathleen: There are several differences. First, we were unique in 1993 when we were established in that we raised funds for HIV/AIDS through the sale of a product, the bracelet. We were also a grassroots, neighborhood organization founded by two mothers who were concerned about their children's future in a world shaped by AIDS – an organization which has subsequently received national and international recognition. We are an organization with a small paid staff, which over the years has ranged between 2 and 6 people and currently [stands at] 4. Instead, the staff is supported by a large number of volunteers.

HILARY Magazine: When did the Foundation begin to gain recognition both nationally and internationally?

Kathleen: The Foundation's first San Francisco Bay Area recognition came when the bracelet was featured in the Macy's Passport Fashion Show in 1993. National recognition came in June of 1994 when the San Francisco Giants baseball team and the Foundation partnered to sponsor the first HIV/AIDS awareness day presented by any professional sports organization. Reports of that game and its AIDS awareness theme were reported on every major TV network. This past June, the Giants held the 12th annual Until There's A Cure Day at a game between the Giants and the Cleveland Indians.

The Foundation's grants have also achieved recognition. In excess of $7 million has been granted to over 200 AIDS service and research organizations around the country [and worldwide as] we provided the initial seed funding for the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI). We are very proud to have assisted all of these organizations in their efforts to fight the AIDS pandemic.

HILARY Magazine: What makes the bracelet so effective in raising money towards the cause?

Kathleen: First of all, the bracelet – our original cuff-style bracelet – is a beautiful piece of jewelry which anyone would love to wear. It truly is the "gift that gives twice". In addition, unlike other commercially available products, all of the money after cost of goods and closely controlled Foundation expenses go to the cause.

HILARY Magazine: Which retail stores carry the bracelet?

Kathleen: The Body Shop, Virgin Megastores, Kenneth Cole, Ben Bridge Jewelers and other fine retailers.

HILARY Magazine: What does the money raised go towards?

Kathleen: We fund HIV/AIDS organizations which are involved in three areas: care and services for those infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS; prevention education, especially for young people and those "at risk" – many of these projects involve peer education; as well as vaccine research and development.

HILARY Magazine: How much of the campaign's success do you attribute to the celebrity ads featured in magazines like Teen People, People, Good Housekeeping, Marie Claire, and others?

Kathleen: The magazines with whom we partner have done a tremendous job in raising awareness of HIV/AIDS and helping the Foundation sell more bracelets. We are grateful both to the celebrities who appear in our public service ads and to the magazines.

HILARY Magazine: Your Foundation focuses on people aged 25 and younger, why have you chosen this demographic in particular?

Kathleen: We do focus a great deal of our efforts on youth and young adults. Statistics show that 50 percent of all HIV infections occur in the 13 – 25 age group, with the fastest growing group being women of color.

HILARY Magazine: How can individuals participate in the UTAC campaign?

Kathleen: They can encourage others to buy the bracelet. They can publicize Until There's A Cure, mention us in their blogs, link to our website (www.until.org), and tell their friends. They can make and encourage donations of money or "in kind" goods such as office materials, computer equipment, etc.. They can encourage their local retail store to carry the bracelet. They can encourage corporations to become a part of our efforts through donations, partnerships and "in kind" gifts. If they're in the SF Bay Area, they can volunteer at our location. If they are not near us, they can seek out local AIDS organizations and donate their most valuable asset, their time and dedication.