Agency History
ICAN “Living with AIDS” for 21 Years
When the first case of AIDS was diagnosed over 25 years ago, few imagined that in 2008 we would still be living with what has now become the world’s largest and deadliest epidemic.
This year marks the 21st year that Island Coast AIDS Network, Inc. (ICAN) has been “Living With AIDS.” What was once feared as a dreaded disease of homosexuals and intravenous drug users is now something that exists with all of us every day. AIDS affects your classmates and co-workers. AIDS affects your family and friends. AIDS affects YOU.
For twenty-one years, ICAN (formerly Lee County AIDS Task Force) has been providing vital support services to HIV/AIDS infected individuals and their affected families in Lee, Collier and the four, more rural counties of Desoto, Hendry, Glades and Charlotte. During its years of operation, ICAN has steadfastly advocated for the rights and needs of all HIV/AIDS infected individuals to be met without prejudice or discrimination. These twenty-one years for ICAN contain a history of numerous lives lost to AIDS, HIV medical treatment advances...and setbacks, the agency’s earlier volatility and later stability, many personal victories for our clients and the quiet rewards those victories bring to our dedicated board and staff.
Those of use who witnessed the beginning of this epidemic in the early 80’s never dreamed that we would still be fighting in the battle against AIDS twenty-five years later. That ICAN would yet be addressing huge challenges in educating our community about preventing new infections, still be combating ignorance and misperceptions about disease transmission (How do you get infected?) and about infected individuals themselves (Who are they?...everyone).
Even more remarkable across the lifespan of this epidemic, our support staff at ICAN is now adapting treatment plans to meet the changing needs of aging, HIV infected clients who are living longer lives, albeit with accompanying medical problems wrought by the very drugs that are extending their lives.
ICAN needs you to join our fight against AIDS. Please consider donating and attending our special events, volunteering and participating in or hosting a HIV/AIDS Education presentation. Contact 239-337-2391 to learn more.
ICAN...can u?
