She inspired her son, who was born healthy, to become an AIDS activist himself.

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The way he sees it, the AIDS activist-turned Air America radio host-turned cable news star provides the network and its viewers with a much-needed fresh face.

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New York (CNN) -- Dennis deLeon, former New York City human rights commissioner and long-time AIDS activist, has died, according to the organization he helped launch.

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Screen siren, businesswoman and AIDS activist.

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She also was a longtime activist for a range of charities and civic-oriented issues, among them AIDS care and research and the Stroke Association of Southern California.

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Pallotta, the author of Charity Case, is a ranking member of that community, an entrepreneur and activist who created such banner events as the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walks, the AIDS Rides bicycle journeys, and the Out of the Darkness suicide prevention night walks.

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