Tribute to members no longer with us

Jerzy Jurek Domaradzki (May 10, 1949 - August 13, 2011)

Jurek was of polish origin, he moved to Sweden in the early 70’s to study law and became a Swedish citizen. He got involved with the organisation Noaks Ark in the late 80's, specializing in civil society. Jurek has been involved for many years in different organisations both in Sweden and internationally: GNP+, EATG, Eurocaso, Noaks Ark Skåne, Positiva Gruppen Syd, Noaks Ark Stockholm, HIV Sweden, RFSL and Convictus. Jurek was passionate about human rights, advocating for access to treatment and working throughout the years with several patient groups. Jurek joined the Trainers Working Group of the EATG in 2004. Jurek was deeply committed to the situation regarding HIV prevention, treatment and care in Eastern Europe, he worked as a trainer in Russia and several countries of Eastern Europe. He was involved in several debates, writing articles and giving interviews on the topic. Amongst the countries where Jurek gave talks there was Ukraine where he and other activists held the first community HIV training. We will miss him deeply and our thoughts go to his family and friends.

Roy Arad (July 31, 1978 – June 6, 2010)

Roy Arad was a Board member and volunteer for the Israel AIDS Task Force IATF and a promising doctor. Roy was also a dedicated member of ECAB since about 3 years and an HIV activist who dedicated himself to acquiring knowledge and teaching others. EATG and ECAB were a significant platform for him to express and promote his ideas and values.
EATG lost a valuable and promising advocate. He will be missed by many.

Gideon Hirsch (February 6, 1960 – December 19, 2008)

Gideon has been a very charismatic and highly skilled EATG member. An AIDS activist since 1988, he has been an anchor, a friend, buddy, adviser, doctor, activist, counsellor and leader to countless people. Having a PhD in psychology from Stanford in his pocket, he moved back to Israel to study medicine. His knowledge in therapies and complimentary treatment, combined with his vision and open mind made him a unique personality among us. From 2005 until his death, he served the AIDS Israel Task Force as Executive Director. A foundation has been established in his memory The Foundation in Memory of Dr. Gideon Hirsch for the Welfare of People Living With HIV. He is dearly missed by his brother, colleagues and friends.

François Wasserfallen (April 18, 1962 - September 9, 2008), Switzerland

Former Co-Chair of the Policy Working Group, François had been involved in AIDS prevention since 1986, first on a voluntary basis and then professionally from 1989 to 1997 as the manager of the "STOP AIDS campaign" and leading the AIDS Division at the Swiss Public Health Office. From 1997-2000, he served as personal advisor to the Interior Minister and later President Ruth Dreifuss. He later became a member of the National AIDS Commission, an expert body appointed by the Swiss Government and served as Vice-President for the Swiss AIDS Federation. From 2002 until his sudden death, he was leading the Office for Culture of the Canton Berne. He leaves a husband and parents as well as all the EATG in deep sorrow.

Eric J. Welling (August 17, 1956 - May 21, 2004), Köln

The AIDS quilt has long been a way for lovers, family and friends to express their loving memory. The quilts are still in active use - even after the Names Project dissolved. In Amsterdam Jörn Wolters has become the keeper of the Dutch quilts. His website has an entry on the EATG member and long-time DMWG Chair Eric Welling.

Albert Rúnar Aðalsteinsson (November 30, 1950 – November 21, 2006)

Albert was a dedicated member of the “Development and Membership Working Group” (DMWG) since 2001, becoming chair of the group in 2004. He was one of the most active members of our organisation, keenly involved and committed to the European Community Advisory Board, the Policy Working Group, and compiling the daily EATG treatment digest.
Albert is survived by his parents, two brothers, his daughter and a grandson.