Jeff Allen, 61. I started an organization called The Positive Champions Speakers Bureau, which is a group of dedicated individuals that are made up of all walks of life, and their sole purpose is to highten community awareness and increase compassion for people with HIV/AIDS. We make presentations to schools, health care professionals, businesses, civic organizations, detention facilities, and many others to bring more understanding to HIV/AIDS and to put an end to the fear and stigma that surround the disease. These presentations are designed to educate the community about HIV/AIDS and can be tailored to fit the specific needs of certain communities and groups. People living with HIV/AIDS can make presentations at healthcare fairs, prevention conferences, health department trainings and many other events that would be extremely helpful. If you've been diagnosed with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), or know someone who has, the need for support and compassion couldn't be greater. But all too often HIV-positive people become targets of AIDS discrimination and stigma. On top of handling new health challenges, they sometimes face rejection by family and friends. They may be forced out of homes, lose jobs, or even become victims of violence. Why not have a speaker come to your event and put an end to discrimination, stigma and fear.
