By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
June 5, 2003

In 1987 when it was apparent that the Siouxland area was not immune to the affects of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), Audra Cole of Catholic Charities was there to offer support.

"Since the beginning of the crisis in the Siouxland area, she has been a forefront runner," said Bill Trout, co-founder of Siouxland & Local Area AIDS Project (SLAP) with George McGarry.

Wanting to recognize Cole for her years of dedication to this work, SLAP presented a humanitarian award to her at a local candlelight memorial held May 18 at Riverside Park in Sioux City. She is the first recipient of what will become a yearly award known as the Audra Cole Humanitarian Award.

"We wanted an award for the work that is being done in HIV education and in support of those with AIDS and work with the families," explained Trout.

Dr. Gene Herbek, epidemiologist at St. Luke's, contacted Cole after he had received a call from his counterparts in Des Moines stating they were getting AIDS patients there from the Siouxland area. The doctor asked Cole if she would partner with him to provide the mental health piece of the treatment and he would focus on the medical side.

"At that time, many people were coming in that were in the last stages of AIDS. They were terminal. Dr. Herbek knew there would be some emotional areas to deal with," said Cole, who took this on as part of her work at Catholic Charities.

While the majority of the early cases were people coming back to this area to die, she noted there were some local cases as well.

In 1988, after working with patients or family members on a case-by-case basis, Cole saw the opportunity to start a support group. As soon as she had two or three people that wanted to get together, she organized it.

Trout, who has AIDS and occasionally attends the support group, noted that the number of people attending the meetings has grown through the years - parallel to the progression of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and AIDS. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. The virus attacks certain white blood cells that protect the body from disease, then gradually destroys this protection.

"The number of people infected and affected continues to grow," he said, who added that the need for the emotional support piece of treatment is so significant because AIDS itself is an isolation disease.

Cole likened it to leprosy.

With this in mind, she pointed out that many of the people have depression because there is such secrecy involved. Many times those infected with the virus are often afraid to tell family members or co-workers. This can compound the isolation and create excess stress.

"We have a lot of discussions about the real questions of life and death," said Cole. "This is a life-threatening disease."

Early on a support group for family members/caregivers was established as well as one for persons with HIV/AIDS. Both groups are now held weekly at the Community Health Department, just one of many services offered there. Cole also provides individual counseling as needed. The counseling is confidential and free of charge.

"One of the reasons we wanted to honor Audra is because of the individual work and dedication that she has put in to this," said Trout. "She has given help to a countless number of people throughout the years. We could not think of a more deserving person to start this award. We named it the Audra Cole Humanitarian Award out of respect and admiration for Audra."

He pointed out that the Catholic Church has led the way in ministry to persons with HIV/AIDS.

Trout of Pierson, who was raised Catholic in Kingsley, explained that they co-founded the Siouxland & Local Area AIDS Project in 2001 because they saw a need to get a broad range of information out concerning AIDS and HIV as a result of their own search.

"There are many programs out there that are available, but in this area there was not a central point for referrals," he noted. Along with passing on referrals to services like Cole's support group and medical services, SLAP addresses other areas such as financial and employment issues.

Prior to officially incorporating SLAP, Trout and McGarry were passing on information about a wide range of services available to persons with AIDS and HIV.

"When you are actually diagnosed and at the point of AIDS where you have health issues, that is when you have to do all of the paperwork and you don't have the energy," said Trout, who was diagnosed in 1996.

Along with acting as a clearinghouse for referrals, he said another main function of SLAP to raise awareness and project public education.

One reason SLAP organized the local candlelight memorial last month was to help raise awareness. This was the second year such a gathering was held in Sioux City, however, it was the 20th Annual International AIDS Candlight Memorial observed worldwide.

He stressed the fact that AIDS knows no boundaries.

"It will kill you no matter who you are," he said.

While the main sources of transmission for the virus are sex and IV drug use, Cole said AIDS knows no gender, no lifestyle, no morality. She added that Ryan White, the young boy whose story brought national attention to the AIDS epidemic, was a hemophiliac. Men, women and children can become infected.

They both mentioned that it is not a "gay disease."

Cole is the clinical director and therapist at Catholic Charities. Her work in the area of AIDS/HIV is just one component of the counseling she offers at the agency.