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The Balm In Gilead and the Harlem Community Mourns
the Loss of
HIV/AIDS Activist Douglas Parker
A Volunteer with The Balm In Gilead for more than 16 years!!
 New
York, NY – The Balm In Gilead announced this week the passing of HIV/AIDS
activist and Harlem resident Douglas Parker who passed away Monday, June 20
from health complications. Parker, a volunteer with The Balm In Gilead for
nearly sixteen years, was always committed to his work everyday knowing that “there
was much more work to be done.”
“
The Balm In Gilead has lost a brother, a warrior, a father, a husband, an uncle,
a friend,” said Pernessa Seele, Founder/CEO, The Balm In Gilead. “Douglas
touched everybody who has ever walked through our doors in a very special way.
He was the man for whatever the hour called on him to be.” 
Seele added, “Throughout his illness over these last weeks, calls and
prayers came to him from around the world from elders and young people alike.
Douglas will be missed. But our love for him goes with him. His love for all
of us will continue to live in our hearts and in the work that we do to fight
HIV/AIDS in Black communities worldwide.”
A lifelong Harlem resident, Parker was introduced to Seele by The Harlem Congregation
for Community Improvement as a volunteer. “Before there was a Balm In
Gilead, it was Douglas and I working together to get the word out about what
the Harlem faith community could do to address HIV/AIDS,” said Seele.
 A jazz aficionado, Parker worked tirelessly for the organization as a volunteer.
He came to work everyday with a smile and worked throughout the day with the
classic sounds of jazz playing softly in the background. “He was the
heart and soul of The Balm In Gilead,” said Erline Belton, Board Chair,
The Balm In Gilead. “Douglas would do whatever needed to be done to push
this organization forward.”
Parker who participated in all of the organization’s events throughout
its history was often quoted by local, national and international media on
living with HIV. In December 2000, during a taped interview for World AIDS
Day, Parker was interviewed by a reporter who asked him after such a long bout
with the disease why he thought he was still here, Parker replied, “because
I think there is still more for me to do.”
Parker’s face became a national symbol of hope in the Black church’s
mission to encourage African Americans to get tested for HIV when he was featured
in The Balm In Gilead’s “Our Church Lights The Way” television
public service announcement, narrated by the late Ossie Davis, which aired
throughout the country in June 2000. The campaign, now in its sixth straight
year, launched HIV Testing Month which culminates June 27th with National HIV
Testing Day. 
Parker leaves to mourn: one son, one grandson, a daughter-in-law, his Balm
In Gilead family, his Harlem family and community and the entire community
of people living with HIV/AIDS that he tirelessly fought for.
Memorial services will be held Wednesday, June 29 at 11:00 AM at the offices
of The Balm In Gilead at 130 W. 42nd Street, Suite 450 (between Broadway and
6th Aves) New York, New York.
For more information call 212-730-7381.
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