By Tim Bonfield
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Back in 1983, nobody expected AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati to be around this long.

But AIDS hasn't been cured, so the need hasn't stopped.

An estimated 4,000 to 6,000 people in Greater Cincinnati are walking around with HIV. As many as 25 percent of those people don't know it.

ABOUT AVOC

Background: AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati was founded in July 1983, shortly after the first local cases of AIDS were diagnosed Services: Public education, advocacy and ongoing case management services for more than 1,000 people in 13 Tristate counties Budget: $2 million a year Information: Web site or (513)421-2437

So after 20 years of raising awareness and helping HIV-infected people find treatment, support groups and financial help, AVOC members say there's still much work to do.

"AIDS doesn't exist someplace else, and it isn't a reality of the past. It's a reality of today in Cincinnati," said Elizabeth Turnbull, president of AVOC's board of trustees at an event Tuesday marking the group's 20th anniversary.

AVOC used the occasion to announce three initiatives:

• A $1 million capital campaign to be launched in April to seek more support from business leaders.

• An updated awareness campaign to be launched within weeks that's aimed at young people.

• A plan to offer a fast new HIV test that provides results in about 20 minutes. The new OraQuick tests, recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, should be available through AVOC within a month.

The test, based on a drop of blood drawn from a finger prick, should be a significant improvement, said Victoria Brooks, AVOC's executive director.

It should become easier for more people to get testing because the 30-member AVOC staff can take the test kits with them on outreach missions.

Cincinnati health clinics, which have long offered testing using older methods, plan to offer the new test but have not set a date, said Malcolm Adcock, city health commissioner.

Two Cincinnati City Council members - Alicia Reece and John Cranley - said Tuesday that the city should improve its often arms-length relationship with AVOC.

"As a city, we've been supportive of AVOC from afar," Reece said. "It's time for a new partnership between the city and AVOC, not from afar, but shoulder-to-shoulder."

E-mail tbonfield@enquirer.com