Advocacy

Our last day at the Forum was bittersweet. Like I said in a prior blog "everything in life is a double-edged sword." Johnathan and I are very thankful for being given the opportunity to attend and participate in this year's forum. We learned so much and met some amazing people. We are truly impressed with how much, time, effort, and passion was put into this event. We hope to see you all in 2011!!!! xoxo Jesse & Johnathan

Hello Blog land I must say that I was hit hard by a statistic that I found out on Day 2 of the HIV forum was every 8 minutes in America someone is infected with HIV/AIDS!!!!! I need to make a sign in my community and do street walking outreach and let folks know that it may be in the next 8 minutes that you are infected!!!! so take heed to that fact does anyone know this fact????

Hello everyone, just wanted to say what a great time I've been having at the Forum. I hope everyone who is attending is finding the information they need to take back to their home states!

I've had several questions regarding next week's AIDS Watch.  So, here's the link to NAPWA's page that discusses AIDS Watch http://www.napwa.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=10.

I've also got additional information that I can email you if you need it, so let me know.  You can talk to me at the Forum or you can email me at im1drny@hotmail.com.

Also, let me know what your state is doing to implement health reform!  I'll talk about that later.

Kisses,

Michael Foy Mitchell

Tonights opening plenary session was so uplifting and fear inspiring. I loved the heartfelt stories of the trails and tribulations of getting oneself involved in the fight of saving ones life and helping others to gain the needed knowledge to remember that the fight is not over yet!!!!

I was looking at the scholarship Break down and I want to say that I am from NJ and only 2 applicants received a scholarship so I want to say a deep felt thank you to Tracy Swan for reading my application and accepting me to attend.......  read more »

I am finally here for the the Catalyst Forum and I am very excited to be here although I missed the dinner and the registration. I am very anxious to see where everyone is in research and advocacy. I am also looking forward to working with everyone from different communities and walks of life to see how HIV/AIDS advocacy, planning, and research is impacting their communities as well as their lives.

It's very interesting to me that I live in Washington, DC but yet there is little to no funding or the idea of funding HIV/AIDS prevention or grassroots efforts is almost laughed at but you see other communities who are not highly impacted making such a difference. I believe this is a start to a great journey with everyone who is here this week for such an amazing and life changing forum.  read more »

Hola desde Miami!!!

What is happening my little HIV Catalyst Forum readers? Well let me start off by saying that I totally procrastinated for this trip. I had to do last minute shopping today and the damage I made wasn’t good. My bags are overstuffed and like any true traveler, I probably won’t even use half the outfits I’m taking to Baltimore.

At any rate… let’s get to the introduction. My name is Jesse Sanchez, I am 22, and I live in Miami, Florida. I found out I was HIV+ a day after my 19^th birthday. I mean it wasn’t the cutest “present” I’ve received, but hey, when life gives you aids make lemonade (oh I can so sense the hissing). At the time of my diagnosis I was working as a writer for the local Fox News affiliate here in Miami. In fear that I would be scrutinized or judged by co-workers I resigned.  read more »

Hello everyone in blogland this is my first blog posting ever! Im always on facebook or twitter telling all of my business like a star! welll a lil bit about myself. First and Foremost I want to thank the HIV Research Catalyst Forum for choosing me to recieve a full scholarship to attend the forum that is truly a blessing since over 2,000 people applied for scholarships. I guess that I am apart of the crem le crem of tired ole queens of HIV advocacy and prevention & treatment. I am 36 years old I am a long term survivor of living with AIDS since 1994. I have done numerous HIV volunteer efforts and some paid peer mentorship positions. My advocacy debut started in 1994 at Childrens Hospital in LA, CA thanks to my best friend and doctor Marvin Belzer!!!!! Thanks my man you instilled in me the courage to be whom I am today! I have won and recieved many accolades for my tireless efforts to win the war on finding a cure and advocating for the unheard and unseen.  I am a single openly gay male living on the jersey shore and I am very  excited about returning to be more or balamore as the locals call it for some new ideas, new friendships, and new beginings to winning the WAR on combating a diease that is still taking lives today! I look forward in meeting all of you and the ones that are willing to hear my rants on this blog!!! see ya!