Some facts on
Youth
HIV/AIDS from Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
AIDS in 2004
An estimated 2,174 young
people received a diagnosis of AIDS (5.1% of the estimated total
of 42,514 AIDS diagnoses), and 232 young people with AIDS died.
An estimated 7,761 young
people were living with AIDS, a 42% increase since 2000, when
5,457 young people were living with AIDS.
African Americans were
disproportionately affected by HIV infection, accounting for 55%
of all HIV infections reported among persons aged 13–24
Sexual Risk Factors
Early age at sexual initiation.
According to CDC’s Youth Risk Behavioral Survey (YRBS), many young
people begin having sexual intercourse at early ages: 47% of high
school students have had sexual intercourse, and 7.4% of them
reported first sexual intercourse before age 13.
HIV/AIDS
education needs to take place at correspondingly young
ages, before young people engage in sexual behaviors that put them
at risk for HIV infection.
Whether you are looking to
find and HIV testing site, condoms, or to learn
the difference between HIV and AIDS, find
more information,
statistics and facts on STDs, drugs and pregnancy, we are certain you will find a wealth of
information and resources here that we have
linked to on the world-wide-web. You will also find some of the many ways that you can get involved
in the fight against HIV/AIDS locally in Madison, Wisconsin, or
around the United States.
Please feel free to suggest websites you'd
like us to link. Thank you for caring enough to do your part to help ensure the possibility of a future without this dreadful pandemic we are all dealing with.
An informative and
detailed site about the disparity of services in the Southern
Wisconsin Region
OTP and
HIVictorious,
Inc. are proud to support the
ONE Campaign
Some
facts about HIV/AIDS and the difference between HIV and AIDS
What is HIV and how did I get it?
HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. The
first cases of AIDS were identified in the United States in 1981, but
the virus probably existed here and in other parts of the world for many
years before that. In 1984, scientists proved that HIV causes AIDS.
Ways you might have gotten HIV:
having unprotected sex (sex without
a condom) with someone who has HIV
sharing a needle to inject drugs or
sharing drug works with someone who has HIV
having a mother who was infected
with HIV when you were born
from a blood transfusion (However,
it is unlikely you got infected that way because all blood in the
United States has been tested for HIV since 1985.)
Ways you did NOT get (and no one else can
get) HIV:
just working with or being around
some one who has HIV
being stung or bitten by an insect
sitting on toilet seats
doing everyday things like sharing a
meal
What is the difference between HIV and
AIDS?
HIV is the virus that causes the disease
AIDS. Although HIV causes AIDS, a person can be infected with HIV for
many years before AIDS develops.
When HIV enters your body, it infects
specific cells in your immune system. These cells are called CD4 cells
or helper T cells. They are important parts of your immune system and
help your body fight infection and disease. When your CD4 cells are not
working well, you are more likely to get sick.
Usually, CD4 cell counts in someone with
a healthy immune system range from 500 to 1,800 per cubic millimeter of
blood. AIDS is diagnosed when your CD4 cell count goes below 200. Even
if your CD4 cell count is over 200, AIDS can be diagnosed if you have
HIV and certain diseases such as tuberculosis or Pneumocystis carinii
[NEW-mo-SIS-tis CA-RIN-nee-eye] pneumonia (PCP).
There are general stages of HIV infection
that you may go through before AIDS develops.
Infection. The earliest stage is right
after you are infected. HIV can infect cells and copy itself before your
immune system has started to respond. You may have felt flu-like
symptoms during this time.
Response. The next stage is when your
body responds to the virus. Even if you don’t feel any different, your
body is trying to fight the virus by making antibodies against it. This
is called seroconversion, when you go from being HIV negative to HIV
positive.
No symptoms. You may enter a stage in
which you have no symptoms. This is called asymptomatic infection. You
still have HIV and it may be causing damage that you can’t feel.
Symptoms. Symptomatic HIV infection is
when you develop symptoms, such as certain infections, including PCP.
AIDS. AIDS is diagnosed when you have a
variety of symptoms, infections, and specific test results. There is no
single test to diagnose AIDS.
How long does it take to go from
HIV infection to a diagnosis of AIDS?
There is no one answer to this question
because everyone is different. Estimates of the average length of time
for progression from HIV to AIDS are being developed. Before
antiretroviral therapy became available in 1996, scientists estimated
that AIDS would develop within 10 years in about half the people with
HIV. Since 1996, new medical treatments have been developed that can
prevent or cure some of the illnesses associated with AIDS, though they
cannot cure AIDS itself.
Various factors, including your genetic
makeup, can influence the time between HIV infection and the development
of AIDS.
Time between HIV infection and AIDS
Shorter
older age
infection with more than one type of
HIV
poor nutrition
severe stress
Longer
closely adhering to your doctor’s
recommendations
eating healthy foods
taking care of yourself
What is clear is that you have some
control over the progression of HIV infection.
This is a simple and straight forward site with
information for drugs to treat HIV infection (antiretrovirals) as well as many
other definitions and information...
The mission: To use the power of
media to educate and compel people to act - to protect themselves and to get
tested for the virus - and to erase the stigma for those afflicted
Camp Heartland is a national
non-profit organization
dedicated to improving the lives of children, youth and their
families
facing HIV/AIDS, poverty, grief and other significant life
challenges. We are deeply honored to to work with and support Neil
Willenson's valiant efforts!
Please visit our friends at Camp Heartland
Many thanks to you Neil!
Our
friend Robert Breining and the POZIAM Community:
POZIAM is a social community that
was created by our wonderful friend Robert Breining to educate
people about HIV and AIDS. This site will give you an inside look of
other
people living with HIV/AIDS. It's similar to MySpace, but it's
for HIV+ people or people living with AIDS. Please support Robert's
amazing efforts to inspire and educate others!
CLICK HERE TO JOIN
THE POZIAM COMMUNITY!
Fight on Robert!
Our
friend Bradford McIntryre:
My
name is Bradford McIntyre and I’m Positively Positive! I have been
living, infected with the HIV since 1984! I feel very fortunate
sharing in this 20th Anniversary, with you! There is more power in
people knowing I am
HIV positive, than there ever was in the fear
and hiding. The answers are in letting go of fear! Society has
created a huge closet housing many shelves. Shelves for Gay, BI
sexual, Lesbian and transgendered, but even more shelves housing
drug abuse, alcohol abuse, sexual abuse, physical and mental abuse,
bulimia, anorexia, cancer, AIDS, dis-ease and disease. It is time
for us all to come out of the closet and tell people what is going
on in our life.
Please visit:
www.positivelypositive.ca to learn more about our amazing
friend, as well as a wealth of HIV/AIDS information and resources.
Never surrender Bradford!
Our friend
Scott:
It is my hope and
goal to address the social stigma that is associated with AIDS. To
let people know that those of us living with HIV/AIDS are normal
people, more importantly, normal people that need friends, and even
love.... just like anyone else. Heaven knows I could use some, and
so could all of us living with the disease. How bout you? Wanna be
friends with Scott? Please help to
support Scott's incredible grassroots efforts to inspire, educate
and fundraise. Please visit:
www.scottsfriends.com
Thank you Scott for your courageous efforts in the
fight against HIV/AIDS!
Our friend
Jeromy:
This site is dedicated to
educating and bringing people together regardless of race,
ethnicity, financial status, gender, or sexual orientation.
HIV/AIDS affects us all
and infects over 1 million Americans and 1 in 4 of those
infected with HIV/AIDS do not know it.
“My goal is to offer peace and hope to all people in this life,
especially
People living with HIV/AIDS, regardless of what our
Creator places in front of each one of us. My own illness has
actually taught me about life…how to live in a better way, both
spiritually and mentally. The one thing I have learned most is to
never give up…through the worst of circumstances, sometimes come the
most valuable lessons of our existence. I had to make a choice, to
live or die, but I chose to live…I believe the Creator kept me here
to send this message of hope to all people of Mother Earth. Just
never give up!” ‘Shining Thunderbird Eagleman’ ROD MICHANO
(2005)
Please visit:
www.redskyhealing.com
Dab the AIDS BEAR
Project is a grassroots advocacy organization of concerned citizens
affected and effected by HIV and AIDS. Our goal through HIV
awareness, education and prevention is preventing new cases of HIV
while helping empower HIV+ citizens.
Through public HIV/AIDS awareness, education, prevention and virtual
media; help us change America from a world of ignorance,
misinformation and discrimination into a better world of acceptance,
health care and hope for all Americans.
OTP &
HIVictorious extend our sincere and heartfelt thanks, to our new
friend and ally, Dab
Great thanks to our friends at
Valley AIDS Information Network in Oregon
My name is Bob Bowers.
I work on the front lines in
the fight against
HIV/AIDS.
With over two decades of surviving with this
disease, it’s a great honor to be invited back
to help kick off
AIDS Walk Wisconsin 2007!
I remind myself and you, I am not a victim,
I’m not an
AIDS patient, I am a
survivor! Give
yourselves a huge round of applause for sharing
in my brilliant and profound reality.
Your compassion
is without a doubt, our cure!
Wisconsin is a TERRIFIC state, is it not!? With
your support, Wisconsin remains TOPS in the
Nation in caring for those of us infected or
affected by
HIV/AIDS. In 2006, Wisconsin had
NO babies born infected with HIV. This is an
absolute victory! Recalling a time when we had
absolutely no medications to treat HIV, we now
have over two dozen available medications and
many more in the pipeline. Our compassionate
and willful lawmakers stand with us in
the fight
against AIDS.
ARCW diligently ensures those
of us
living with HIV/AIDS have access to care
and services. Through their compassion, we are
able to live with dignity and quality. Thank
you ARCW! My Camp Heartland family provides
a profound and enduring impact in the lives
of countless thousands of children who were
born into this very adult disease. Thank you
Neil! THANK YOU to all of our state agencies,
organizations, individuals and
supporters, who remain steadfast in this fight!
However, HIV/AIDS remains a medical and social
crisis of global proportions! On 9-11, four
jets crashed leaving NO survivors. Our nation
declared a full out war costing us countless
billions. In 2006 alone,
roughly 3 million of
our brothers and sisters lost their lives to
AIDS. That is the equivalent of TWENTY fully
loaded jumbo jets crashing daily for A YEAR,
with NO survivors and NO war. Rather we refer
to such utter carnage as a cause. I despise
surrendering to
AIDS as a ‘cause.’ It’s a passionate
and intensely personal FIGHT! We must put saving
human lives first and declare a full out WAR
on the greatest scourge we’ve ever known! We
must muster the political and collective will
to once and for all, END AIDS. There is no time
to relent in this fight! We must continue advocating
for the empowerment of women and for our brothers
and sisters of color. We must continually address
issues of homophobia, mental health poverty
and addiction! We must ensure that ALL
persons
living with HIV/AIDS are treated with dignity
and have access to care and treatment!
Thank you for joining us in the fight! In closing;
in the words of my dear friend, the late Mike
McKinney, “You my dear friends are the true
HEROES and SHEROES in
the fight against AIDS.”
Step by step, there is no doubt we are making
a profound and lasting impact! Please walk with
renewed hope, strength and pride! Walk with
love in your hearts as you reflect and honor
the over 25 million
lives lost to AIDS. My friends,
never ever surrender and
never ever forget!
Some photos courtesy
of: Melissa Winker
HIVictorious congratulates
1st place entrant Collin
Burke and 2nd place
winner Kevin Julka!
Above photos from
youth HIV/AIDS
awareness poster
contest
awards ceremony, at James
Madison Memorial High
School! Thank you to ALL
the wonderful teachers,
staff and awesome students
for your participation
in our heartfelt and
passionate undertaking!
Your compassion and
commitment are deeply
appreciated. You are
all winners in our eyes!
THANK YOU to Neil and the
amazing staff and admin for another incredible summer
of caring for children
affected/infected by
HIV/AIDS. I
hope you will take the time to view some wonderful photos
from my 2006 and 2007 Camp Heartland experiences in Malibu,
California and Willow River, Minnesota. There are also many
links to
photos from 2005 at the top right of each page.
I am deeply inspired by the courage and conviction these
youth possess!
CLICK BANNERS
TO VIEW MANY MORE OF DA PIRATE'S PHOTOS FROM CAMP
On the 20th
Anniversary of World AIDS
Day
May we reflect on the over
25 million precious lives
lost to AIDS. Please never
ever forget their names and
the extraordinary courage
they showed in the face of
adversity. May we also honor
our 33 million Brothers and
Sisters who are courageously
living with HIV/AIDS. Thanks
to ALL of you who remain
steadfast and tireless in
the FIGHT against HIV/AIDS!
On this World AIDS Day and
every day, may we honor
their lives and recommit
ourselves to
raising
every-day awareness, and to
once and for all ENDING the
scourge of AIDS. 27 years is
ENOUGH...
On The
25th
Anniversary of AIDS
I
have survived
living with HIV/AIDS for
over two decades. I feel so
very blessed and grateful to
be alive. I guess it is true,
“that which does not kill you,
makes you stronger.” I did not
get here unaided. I’m deeply
indebted to the brave souls
who have gone before me. The
horror, devastation and undeniable
loss that we witnessed through
the 1980’s and early 1990’s
are a painful cross to bear
for many. After the loss of
dozens
of friends, my life’s work is
to
advocate for my peers, and
educate about the realities
of this
scourge we call
AIDS. I do this in honor
of many. The rights,
medications and services
that were put into place through
the
blood,
sweat and
tears of our loved ones
throughout the 80’s and 90’s
continue to be politicized and
strained. Also,
combination therapy has
spawned a great deal of
complacency and
apathy. One doesn’t have
to look far to see the ongoing
desolation in the new millennium.
Shame,
ignorance,
stigma and
homophobia abound. Where
are the unity, heart, conviction
and tenacity? Are we so afraid
to stand up to those in power?
Have we sold out to financial
gain and
politics? The time has come
to end the corporate,
pharmaceutical and political
strangle-hold on
HIV/AIDS. We need to replace
lip service and status quo with
harsh talk and realities.
There are countless precious
human lives at stake here and
across our globe. Can we not
place our egos, opinions and
paychecks aside and
fight united and strong
for a world free from this dreadful
pandemic called
AIDS? We have industrialized
and dehumanized a very
human virus. I can only
pray that we continue to collectively
muster the courage and heart
needed in what is indeed a bittersweet
milestone in our
fight.
Thank you very much for your summary of our
visits with Curt and Katie as well as the photo.
In addition, your kind words and feedback regarding
my first
advocacy/lobby
work is also very much appreciated.
I would like to, in turn, express my sincere
appreciation of your
leadership
with ONE in the
Madison
area as well as your gentle, clear and confident
leadership around the preparation for and actual
advocacy
work with
Ms. Baldwin's
and Mr.
Feingold's office. Your heartfelt expression
and enduring
commitment
to the welfare and
evolution
of all of
humanity
is refreshing conveyed in way that others feel
on multiple levels of their being. Which I believe
ultimately leads to an expansion of there consciousness,
mind, heart, and soul to include a wider circle
of care and concern. You are to be acknowledged
for this unique ability and your willingness
to act with it, and to see you
advocate
while simultaneously facilitating the unfolding
of what is best and most true in yourself and
others.
Noble, mindful, and altruistic. Your are a model
of what is
possible.
I look forward to collaborating again, in the
future.
