A Call to Arms: Disrupting HIV’s Grip on Broward County In recognition of HIV Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day June 5, 2024

In Broward County, where the shadow of HIV looms large with the highest new infection rates, HIV Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day stands as a powerful beacon. It’s a day that galvanizes us, reminding us that the battle is far from over. It’s a day that honors the indomitable spirit of survivors, while also casting a stark light on the work that remains.

Here, in the heart of the epidemic, this day is a clarion call for action. It’s a day that demands we look beyond mere survival and strive for a future where HIV is history. It’s a day that compels us to dismantle the barriers of healthcare access, to shatter the stigma that silences, and to bridge the socioeconomic divides that fuel the spread of HIV.

As a Disruptive Advocate, I am acutely aware that my voice must not just echo but resonate through the halls of power and the streets of our communities. It’s my duty to champion the cause of routine testing, to be the herald of PrEP and PEP accessibility, and to advocate for a care system that nurtures both body and soul.

The response of Broward County to this crisis is pivotal. By embracing strategies like Routine Testing, PrEP, PEP, and Test and Treat, we are laying the groundwork for a revolution in HIV care. These are the weapons in our arsenal to turn the tide, to reduce the swell of new infections, and to elevate the quality of life for those touched by HIV.

Today, as we pay tribute to the warriors who have weathered the storm of HIV, we also pledge to renew our efforts to eradicate this virus. We vow to make Broward County’s notorious ranking a relic of the past. This is our rallying cry to the community: to unite, to educate, and to fight back against HIV.

Let HIV Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day be the catalyst that ignites change, that transforms the lives of those with HIV in Broward County, and that inspires hope across the globe. Together, we are a force of change. Together, we will make a difference.