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Not all HIV-positive people are alike in their ability to control HIV. An estimated 1 in 300 HIV-infected persons around the world have a mysterious ability to control their HIV. Their viral loads and CD4 T-cell counts remain in the normal range without their having to take any HIV medications. Researchers call these individuals "long-term non-progressors."
As people who have read my blog before know, I am a lucky member of this exclusive group. But I'm writing about this again because I don't think enough attention is being paid to the amazing ongoing research with long-term non-progressors and the strenuous efforts to recruit even more of these people.
I spent the first week of August glued to my computer screen, watching many hours of webcasts and reading blogs from the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City. As a treatment and research advocate, I, like thousands of other interested parties from all over the world, hoped to learn about the new discoveries that science had to offer in the field of medication, and the clinical trials that produce those discoveries. I was also looking out for any ground-breaking announcements that might occur on the vaccine research front.
In addition to the many things I learned on those topics, I discovered this truth: Activism is alive and well across the globe and our work is far from over. This was evidenced through protests, banners, posters, drums, feathers, T-shirts, panel discussions, chants, messages -- some loudly delivered by activists from the back of a session room -- and, on one occasion, an unscripted invitation to activists to deliver their message from the stage.
There are rare times in life when all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place. The launch of this Blog occurs at such a moment for me, and I am grateful to Bonnie Goldman and The Body for inviting me to share it with you.
As an HIV-positive woman in her mid-fifties, I hope to encourage others to strive toward their dreams, whatever those may be. I know that dreams do come true, because I am living mine!