HIV Cure: Have You Grown More Hopeful?

Jeannie Wraight

HIV Haven, Bronx, N.Y.; Diagnosed in 1995

I definitely have more hope for a cure. Before Timothy Ray Brown's cure, the word "cure" was treated like a dirty word. No one spoke of curing HIV and if you did you were considered crazy or trying to swindle someone.

In the past few years there's been a huge emphasis on cure research. There's been progress and there is hope. The problem I see now is not a lack of focus but a lack of funds. And the money that is available for cure research is set up to be distributed in a way where innovative research and strategies are not encouraged. Other than not having enough money, the biggest battle I foresee is avoiding one mindset and not exploring novel ideas. We need new separate streams of cure funding.

Regardless of the problems, it is so nice to be having the discussion! Yes, I certainly do believe that a cure for HIV is on its way!