Inactivating HIV! Gene therapy

An article I read titled " Protecting without a vaccine" provides a little more insight into IGT- Immunoprophylaxis by Gene Therapy. In a nutshell, the article uses a lot of technical and science jargon to explain this. A new treatment that works differently than an actual vaccine in theory, but giving the same type of result, would inactivate HIV in cells. Please read the article and pass along to people who would be interested with the information. Every day, we are getting steps closer to an actual cure. This will be tested to see its effect on more than just HIV including the flu and the ever so scary, EBOLA!

One love- Chris

HIV costs/ The Importance of Getting Tested

So there are two articles that really were interesting to me this week that I received in my Google alerts. One being about the financial costs over a lifetime of someone with HIV. The other addressing the issue with new HIV infections. My general say for both of these issues is to get tested and be safe!

I am pretty sure my infection was transmitted from someone who was not actively taking medication or any treatment for their illness. I don't want to be the one to say this, but of course, that's what we are here for. My opinion on the matter is this. When you are taking care of yourself and being treated for HIV, the common sense of it all is that you are extremely less likely to infect someone. The fact that you can go into "remission" or basically, become un-detectable is my point in a nutshell. I don't know if I am the first one to say such a thing, but having a healthy T-cell count and an un-detectable viral load are, in a sense, a cure. It will make you less likely to pass the virus on to others, but should not make you think that it is OK to have sex without a condom. The problem with that is, so many people don't get the treatment they need soon enough. Again, you are not cured of HIV being that it is still in your body, and has the small chance of being passed on, but highly unlikely. If you don't get tested, and are not getting treatment for it, of course it will spread like wild fire. Example, what we see now.

There are now apps apparently, home tests, and free testing sites all over to find out your status. What I don't understand are people who would rather go on un-knowing, or un-treated. If you can be given the chance to live, why would you ignore that chance, yet continue to have the fear of HIV infection. Knowing very well, you could be infected simply because, you don't know if you are not infected.

Bad transition here, but to the financial point of it all. Imagine a world without HIV or AIDs and the costs on insurance and taking care of someone. If it was a non-issue, I am sure it could alleviate a lot of financial stress governments are facing. This is a win win for conservatives and non-conservatives alike. The thing with HIV and AIDs is that there are so many programs that are ran by donations that help and assist with this epidemic. So the fact that, this, and many other terminal illnesses, are not just paid for or taken care of through insurance. The support from the people is very important, and there are so many more people we could get involved. Just for the cause of HIV and AIDs, I am doing the AIDs Walk NY this year. This is run by GMHC and financial support goes through a network of support for the issue, and the community. Anything that could be done, can make the difference. It's annoying how people are scared to get infected, but will do nothing to make a difference in possibly getting infected. YOU can be that change. Make a donation today, spread the word, and do the little or the most that you can. Thanks for reading, supporting, and sharing.

One Love- Chris

Free Local Testing Sites

Fame and coming out

So this is just what I would do as a famous person. IMO I believe it is your perogative whether or not to reveal your sexual identity to the public. It is your private life and you may not care for people in your business, I totally get that. Now when it comes to people in the public eye, people who have power here is where it gets a little blurry. As you may know, the number one reason for teen suicide is the inner battle of their sexual identity and how to deal with it.  These teens feel so wrong for many reasons that they choose to take their own life. When it comes to a celebrity, I believe simply saying yay or nay to being gay or however you may identify, can be a difference in a look few lives. See, I'm not religious, but I will say that those blessed to be given the platform they are in should use the power they have for the betterment of the world. Simply having the youth see that their sexuality is not a bad thing to kill themself over will save lives and make a difference. You don't need to tweet or Instagram pics or stories of anything more than, I am gay (or bi, or whatever) and you don't need to take it further than that. Homophobia will continue to exist when you think, such and such will create a problem, what about the bullying they may encounter, or any of the other reasons. That idea continues to perpetuate the idea that is is an issue to be hush hush about. Even if a teen dealing with the issues doesn't come out themselves, it can change their way of thinking, knowing they are not alone. Knowing that their sexuality isn't going to hold them back in life because look at people like Lance Bass or Neil Patrick Harris. Regardless this is the WAC blog. Just keep this in mind for when you become famous lol.

" Andy Warhol said, in the future, everyone will be famous... For 15 minutes" - Mariah Carey

One love- Chris

Killing Cancer With HIV

So I will be brief with this post. I was watching Vice on HBO, and learned something amazing. We have figured out a way to genetically alter strands of HIV to use for good.: killing cancer! I wish this had come about a couple of years ago, but I am so happy it's here regardless. And with more advances in science and technology, we are making large strides and steps to a cure for Cancer and HIV. Check out the episode and spread the information please. Do know, for advances like this in science, donating is important. Whatever you can give to a cause is always good. Many organizations help out in various ways, either directly helping those effected with these illnesses or funding for research, or awareness.

Here is where I will make a personal plug. As far as supporting the movement for HIV and AID's, I am doing the AIDs walk NY this year. I do have a hefty goal to raise but I really want to do it. Help out and spread the word. Anything you can give really does make the difference, and makes us that much closer to a cure. Spread the word, and join my team if you can. Let's end this for the betterment of our future.

One Love- Chris