Gilead’s $3 Million Gift Keeps the AIDS Memory Alive

The National AIDS Memorial Grove in San Francisco buzzed with volunteers as Gilead Sciences rolled up its sleeves to plant new trees and paint fresh pathways. Their big news? A pledge of $3 million over three years to help the grove grow in new ways.

The money will go straight into teaching people about HIV, funding scholarships for future public‑health workers, and safeguarding artifacts that tell the story of the AIDS crisis.

Gilead’s executive director—who also heads its foundation—explained that the company has given millions to HIV causes for decades. This latest donation is the largest single investment in one project that Gilead has ever made.

“Science is just the first step, … but we know that real change needs people, programs, and places that remember what happened.”

The grove’s chief executive ran around the site, greeting helpers and thanking them for their hard work. He stressed that memorials are not only about looking back; they help shape the future by keeping lessons alive.

The grove, which opened in 1991, was created by activists who wanted a place to honor those lost to the virus. In 1996, it became the nation’s only federally‑designated National AIDS Memorial thanks to a push from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Pelosi praised the new funding as a way to keep the story of HIV alive for younger generations, especially as federal support has been cut in recent years. She warned that shrinking budgets could undo progress made by communities of color and LGBTQ+ groups.

Community leaders in San Francisco echoed that worry, noting that local cuts to HIV prevention and queer‑health services could have serious consequences.

At the end of the day, a volunteer known as the “Mother of the AIDS Quilt” quietly cleaned panels that display thousands of names. She reminded everyone that preserving these stories is a way to honor those who died and to keep their memories alive for all.