RSS 2.0 FeedThursday, January 26, 2012, Freeport-Baldwin Leader
AIDS activist Dale Anthony Edmonston dies
Advisor to Presidents Clinton and Bush, was known as Long Island's AIDS Ambassador.
Dr. Dale Anthony Edmonston, a Long Island hero who touched people around the world, died on New Years Day, ending his 27-year personal battle with AIDS. His legacy, sounding the trumpet to save lives and offer hope to people infected and affected by the pandemic, lives on. He was 48 years old.
Dale Anthony, brother-in-law of Freeport Mayor Andrew Hardwick, advised Presidents Clinton and Bush, addressed international heads of state, and worked with local, state, and national politicians, celebrities, and grassroots leaders to make a difference through education, advocacy, and direct action against the stigma, devastation, and loneliness of living with HIV/ AIDS.
Affectionately titled Long Island’s AIDS Ambassador, the Long Island native pushed for a comprehensive national health policy and international HIV/AIDS protocols, including treatment, research, funding and prevention.
He challenged global leaders to end needless suffering of people living with the virus worldwide. Dr. Edmonston reached and helped millions via workshops, presentations, his national hotline and goodwill tours. He launched Tough Talk Media in 1986.
Without any publicity or fanfare, Dale personally created safe houses and food pantries for those with HIV/AIDS – making sure individuals, especially children with the illness, had shelter, food and Christmas gifts. Thousands benefited from his kindness, without even knowing where it was coming from. He opened the first Dale House Resource Center in 2000 to increase his capacity to bring hope and help to people living with AIDS (PLWA).
When first diagnosed with HIV, the doctor told him he would not last through a year. Dale spent the next 27 years living life to the fullest and committed to serving people who are living with AIDS/HIV like himself.
He spent his life fighting to end ignorance and discrimination against people living with AIDS. In 2004 he agreed to enlighten others by telling his story. “Take a Look through My Eyes” is the remarkable story of his battle with HIV/AIDS infection.
Humanizing the experience of living with AIDS, this book traces the early days of his diagnosis: depression, secrecy, denial, treatment, prejudice, and ridicule. It also reveals his desperation and a suicide attempt that left him in a coma for seven days. Then a family friend and pastor said to him, “Get up, Dale, because God has work for you to do!”
Dale Anthony, with the unfailing love and support of his mother and sister, decided that he would rather live with dignity than die with shame, and started the work that raised him from obscurity into the national spotlight. Through him, AIDS victims were given a voice as well as a source of inspiration and hope.
Homegoing (funeral) services were Sunday, January 8, at Zion Cathedral Church of God In Christ in Freeport.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations be sent to 27 Adams Street, Oyster Bay 11771. Please make checks payable to Dr. Dale Anthony Edmonston Memorial Fund.