Background to the Award

CWAC was co-founded in 1992 by Rebecca Handel and Jo Dodge. Being heterosexual, Jewish and middle-class, Rebecca shattered all the stereotypes associated with those who are HIV-positive. Infected with HIV through a blood transfusion, Rebecca, unaware of her status, gave birth to an HIV-positive baby girl. Rebecca fought tirelessly against prejudice and dedicated her life to breaking down barriers and improving the quality of life for the youngest of those infected by HIV. To mark her achievements, both as an individual and a dedicated mother, the Trustees created this special scholarship. Rebecca’s spirit and passion for progressive change lives on.

The Rebecca Handel Scholarship Award is offered annually to an individual working within the field of paediatric HIV.

The purpose of the award is as follows:

• To enable an individual to undertake research, further educational goals and promote innovation in practice within the field of paediatric HIV.
• To extend knowledge and skills to meet changing needs in the care and treatment of children living with HIV, both here and overseas.

More specifically, the award aims are as follows:

• To offer financial assistance to an individual who has a good idea for improvement of the care of children living with HIV, which is supported by clinical or medical evidence.
• To provide a forum and a publication as a resource for sharing information and knowledge gained via the Handel Scholarship Award.
The award could be used for a small research based project or for a travel scholarship that would have a direct impact upon the delivery of care provided to children living with HIV. It may be used to cover basic living costs whilst teaching techniques overseas, which have been, acquired in the paediatric HIV field in the UK. Alternatively, an award may be used to offer key support by posting a candidate overseas to provide (medical) care amongst significant populations of HIV-infected infants, children, adolescents and pregnant women as a pilot project.

If you are interested please contact:

Children With AIDS Charity
Calvert House
5 Calvert Avenue
LONDON
E2 7JP
UNITED KINGDOM

Tel: (020) 7033 3902
Fax: (020) 7739 3902