25 faces: Leaders fighting HIV/AIDS in Colorado

23 Ellis McFadden

“I could have just stayed home and cried that all my friends were dying, but I decided to actually do something.”

Ellis McFadden, 62, adopted and maintained his disposition towards action during his many years volunteering and donating to HIV/AIDS organizations in Colorado. Among his list of credentials is Board Member for the Colorado Gay Men’s Chorus and member of the “bread and butter” club at Project Angel Heart, a non-profit organization that delivers homemade meals to those with life-threatening illnesses. McFadden has been with each of these foundations since their commencement, watching them expand from small group meetings to full-blown organizations with hundreds on staff.

Through his work as a delivery driver for Project Angel Heart, intake interviewer with CAP and member of the Colorado Gay Men Chorus, McFadden has developed many deep and personal relationships with HIV/AIDS victims – his “buddies.” Watching many personal friends suffer and die of AIDS, McFadden still believes in the importance of each and every organization though he admits that the press coverage of the disease is not what it once was.

“AIDS used to be front-page news, and even though it isn’t any more, it is still relevant in today’s society,” McFadden said. A decrease in attention creates a decrease in prevention, McFadden said – and there needs to be HIV/AIDS education for all, not just the gay community. He stressed that while medical breakthroughs have been substantial, there is still no cure for HIV.

He keeps boxes full of notes from buddies he has lost during his time working with HIV/AIDS patients – their lives a void that he hopes to fill with his continued work for hope.