HIV-Positive Author To Speak At Public Forum
During the month of June 2014, the Ministry of Health, Seniors and Environment will be observing HIV Awareness Month. HIV Awareness Month is an opportunity to promote the vision of UNAIDS which is ‘Getting to Zero: Zero New Infections, Zero Discrimination, Zero AIDS-Related Deaths.’
In order to highlight both the risks of the disease and the potential for a full, happy life even after being diagnosed as HIV-positive, Ms. Marvelyn Brown [pictured left], author of The Naked Truth: Young, Beautiful and HIV-Positive, will be in Bermuda to share her experience living with HIV. Ms. Brown’s time on the island will include an appearance as a guest speaker at a public forum on June 24, where she will engage in open conversation with some of Bermuda’s leading professionals in HIV/AIDS patient care.
A spokesperson said, “Given the preventable nature of HIV and advances in HIV/AIDS care, the Ministry believes that this vision is possible and encourages all persons to get tested, know their status, and talk about HIV/AIDS and other sexual health matters.
“The Ministry recognizes that fear of discrimination may be a reason for persons to avoid sexual health screenings. Therefore, throughout the month of June, the Ministry is providing opportunities to discuss HIV in an open forum, to use social media [via #RockRedBDA] to show support for the over 300 persons living with or affected by HIV in Bermuda, to encourage people to get tested, and to raise funds for our charity partner STAR [Supportive Therapy for AIDS Persons and their Relatives].
“On Friday, June 27, Hamilton Health Centre will be observing HIV Testing Day and offering free, confidential, rapid HIV screening from 8.30am to 3.30pm. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] and the World Health Organization [WHO] have recommended that screening for HIV infection should be performed routinely for all persons engaging in sexual behaviours and at least annually for persons likely to be at increased risk of HIV.
“The public is encouraged to get tested on this day and to discuss the importance of HIV testing with their friends, family members, colleagues, and health care providers.
“HIV testing is also available year round at the Hamilton Health Centre Monday through Thursday, from 8.30am to 3.30pm [closed for lunch 12.30pm – 1.45pm].
“From June 24 through June 27, Ms. Marvelyn Brown will be in Bermuda to share her experience living with HIV. Marvelyn Brown is the author of The Naked Truth: Young, Beautiful and HIV-Positive, the surprisingly hopeful story of how an “everyday girl” contracted HIV from her “Prince Charming,” and how she manages to stay upbeat, inspired, and more positive about life than ever before. The Naked Truth is both an inspirational memoir and a cautionary tale that every parent, guidance counselor, and young adult should read. For more information on the book, visit Ms. Brown’s website.”
Marvelyn Brown tells her story:
“Ms. Brown will be the guest speaker at a public forum on June 24 from 5.30pm until 7.30pm at the Bermuda Society of Arts in City Hall. Additional panelists include some of Bermuda’s leading professionals in HIV/AIDS patient care and a representative from STAR.
“Then on Thursday June 26, members of the public are invited to take part in ‘Not Just Another Book Club’ at the Bermuda National Library from 6.00pm to 8.00pm where there will be a discussion of the book The Naked Truth: Young, Beautiful and HIV-Positive, followed by question and answer period with Ms. Brown. She will also be present at the Hamilton Health Centre on June 27 for HIV Testing Day.
“People of all ages are encouraged to be bold and visible in their support of ‘Getting to Zero’ by wearing red and posting photos to social media using the #RockRedBDA hashtag during the month of June.
“Additionally, Bermuda’s bakeries and cafés have been invited to Rock Red for a Sweeter Life by creating a red-themed delight to be sold during the month of June with part proceeds to STAR. Participating eateries include Sweet Saak, Tribe Road Kitchen, and Dockyard Pastry Shop. The funds raised through this initiative will be used by STAR to continue providing support to families affected by HIV/AIDS in Bermuda.
Director of the Department of Health David Kendell said, “As we press toward the vision of Getting to Zero, we encourage the community to support the awareness activities and continue to have conversations about sexual health to continue the progress made in HIV prevention.”
I heard there is a possible cure being tested that completely erradicates the disease in mice or rats ……completely…it will no doubt be available in europe long before fda commits….perhaps south america as well….google the new cure under testing,I hope this is the hope you and many in this same affliction are looking for.
Wow, what a powerful , eye opening video. I wish my children were a few years older so they could listen to her speak. Much praise for her! So many of us judge people with aids, while at the same time knowing that we made the same silly choices. Most of us were just lucky!
There is currently no cure for HIV or AIDS. However, antiretroviral treatments are available to patients to suppress the HIV virus in their bodies, thus delaying the onset of AIDS- related illnesses. Antiretrovirals have been successful in that they reduce the HIV viral load, which in turn also reduces the probability of the virus being transmitted. Although antiretroviral treatments are not a cure, they greatly improve the life expectancy and quality of life of persons affected by HIV.
With regard to the aforementioned experiments, they will have to be validated by human clinical trials, peer revision and most importantly, replication. The process of putting a new drug on the market is complex, expensive, and time-consuming. However, there is hope and optimism that a cure will be found for HIV/AIDS in the next few decades.
Come out to the Public Forum on Tuesday, June 24th for more information about HIV/AIDS in Bermuda and to hear Marvelyn’s story!