A.S.A. Onlus - Associazione Solidarietà AIDS

ASA, Associazione Solidarietà AIDS (AIDS Solidarity Association) is a legally recognized volunteer association, founded in 1985. ASA has been the first Italian association dealing with HIV and AIDS, in a very difficult moment when information on virus transmission and on the course of the illness was very confused. Starting first with an information telephone service, ASA has quickly taken the first steps towards solidarity with HIV positive AIDS people in order to restore their dignity.
In February 1987, the association has begun the first Italian experience of self-help groups for HIV positive people and has started the activity of home and social assistance. In more than 30 years of activities, hundreds of people have been in touch with ASA for assistance, telephone counselling or psychological support. The Association carries out its activities mainly in Lombardy and, although operating at a regional level, it has anticipated some methodological experiences that have been later applied at a national level. ASA represents a permanent international reference and is the Italian referent for the project The Quilt, The Names Project Foundation, (San Francisco). Among several awards and honors, ASA has received the Medal of the President of the Republic on the occasion of the World AIDS Day in 2013.