On FRIDAY OF 2ND WEEK (24 October), the Unite to Fight AIDS Speaker Tour comes to Oxford – 1pm LECTURE ROOM B, WORCESTER COLLEGE

Oxford University Stop AIDS Society is hosting a speaker event where four young people from Zambia, Uganda, the USA and Ireland who have all been personally affected by the epidemic will share their moving story – a chance to hear first hand the huge impact the virus has on individuals and communities, and what needs to happen to stop its spread and ensure treatment and care for those living with HIV.

The event should prove to be an inspiring and moving insight in to how HIV affects real lives, and show how we all have vital role to play in turning the tide on the global epidemic.

The speakers include Memory, 21 from Zambia, who having been infected by the virus when she was raped as a young girl only learnt that she was living with HIV when she read graffiti mocking her scrawled on the wall of her orphanage. Despite this trauma Memory has gone on to become a powerful voice in the fight against AIDS, raising awareness amongst young people across Zambia, demanding better treatment from the Zambian government, and even speaking at the UN and in front of Bill Clinton.

At the moment two-thirds of those who need vital, life-saving HIV treatment aren’t getting it. There is much more work needed to be done.

Lolisa Gibson from the USA is already working hard. She discovered she was born with HIV at the age of 17 and since then has been dedicating her life to correcting the injustices which cause the epidemic to spread. Lolisa even
marched across Alabama to demand the right of a young boy living with HIV to use the local swimming pool.

Come along and listen to personal stories of the reality of the HIV epidemic, and hear what needs to be done to ensure treatment and prevention.

For more information email agnes.granroth@worc.ox.ac.uk