Rising Up and Speaking Out About HIV and Hepatitis C

Rising Up and Speaking Out About HIV and Hepatitis C http://www.thebody.com/content/art61189.html A blog by Kevin Maloney at TheBody.com. http://www.thebody.com/images/blog/kevin_biobox.gif Kevin Maloney http://www.thebody.com/content/art61189.html 115 145 Take a Photo and Be Part of the No Shame About Being HIV Positive Campaign! http://www.thebody.com/content/70339/take-a-photo-and-be-part-of-the-no-shame-about-bei.html This is a campaign inspired by Chelsea Clinton raising awareness by holding a simple sign for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. My vision for this campaign is to mobilize people in places across the United States and the World willing to stand up to Stigma and Rise Up To HIV, all in an effort of realizing the UN Goals of getting to ZERO. The biggest barrier I believe to realizing these goals is STIGMA.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/70339/take-a-photo-and-be-part-of-the-no-shame-about-bei.html Wed, 23 Jan 2013 08:57:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) Contest: Write a Poem About HIV/AIDS and/or Hepatitis C and Win a Gift Card of Your Choice http://www.thebody.com/content/69253/contest-write-a-poem-about-hivaids-andor-hepatitis.html Contest Details:

Write a poem related to dealing with your HIV/AIDS and or Hepatitis C diagnosis, and also opened to someone who has been affected by HIV/AIDS and/or Hepatitis C. Your poem will be posted to the RiseUpToHIV blog at www.riseuptohiv.blogspot.com and promoted throughout various social media outlets.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/69253/contest-write-a-poem-about-hivaids-andor-hepatitis.html Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:54:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) A Letter From My Dad Regarding Life Challenges, My New Career Path and My Recent Award http://www.thebody.com/content/68953/a-letter-from-my-dad-regarding-life-challenges-my-.html I want to acknowledge how very proud I am of you. You know your mother would be very proud as well. It seems like you have found you're calling in life. You have always had a passion for helping others; this goes back to your childhood years, when you used to volunteer at the senior citizen home that your grandfather lived in. I also remember when you were in 4H club in middle school, you volunteered at a home in Albany where children lived that were orphaned to AIDS or living with HIV and AIDS; you chose that volunteer opportunity over others and you talked about that experience for years!

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/68953/a-letter-from-my-dad-regarding-life-challenges-my-.html Sun, 26 Aug 2012 13:59:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) Join the Campaign to Trend #HIV #AIDS and #IAC on Twitter During the International AIDS Conference http://www.thebody.com/content/66951/join-the-campaign-to-trend-hiv-aids-and-iac-on-twi.html Never before has the hashtag #HIV or #AIDS trended on Twitter, not even on World AIDS Day. With over 100 million users on Twitter and with a few months of preparation until the International AIDS Conference (IAC) is to be hosted in the USA (Washington, D.C.) from July 22-27, four HIV/AIDS activists have come together to assemble a team of faces and voices who will encourage the global community to tweet heavily during this week using the hashtags, #HIV, #AIDS and #IAC.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/66951/join-the-campaign-to-trend-hiv-aids-and-iac-on-twi.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:29:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) Tell Gilead to Reduce the Cost of HIV Medications Now! http://www.thebody.com/content/66018/tell-gilead-to-reduce-the-cost-of-hiv-medications-.html Referencing the latest figure from the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD), as of February 23, 2012, 4,251 individuals across 11 states are on the AIDS Drug Assistance]]>��

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/66018/tell-gilead-to-reduce-the-cost-of-hiv-medications-.html Mon, 5 Mar 2012 08:58:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) The ADAP Recertification Process; The Frustration Mounts! Important: Make Sure All Your Contact Info Is Up to Date! http://www.thebody.com/content/65938/the-adap-recertification-process-the-frustration-m.html The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) -- which oversees HIV/AIDS support and services in the United States -- nearly a year ago put into place a rule that all 56 AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) must recertify its clients every six months. While very few states have complied from the beginning, it's not until most recently that letters have begun going out like rapid fire to ADAP enrollees in MANY states.

Read more ...

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/65938/the-adap-recertification-process-the-frustration-m.html Sat, 25 Feb 2012 12:52:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) Memoirs of a Valentine; for Those Who Love and Have Loved http://www.thebody.com/content/65803/memoirs-of-a-valentine-for-those-who-love-and-have.html Having recently moved I am now unpacking and you know that one box we all have with pictures, notes, etc. from our ex's? Every couple years or so you'll open that box, because you remember how happy you were at that moment in time, and you need to read the notes to reassure yourself you are still that same person, that you are still loveable and deserve love again.

Read more ...

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/65803/memoirs-of-a-valentine-for-those-who-love-and-have.html Sun, 12 Feb 2012 09:41:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) What Would Anderson Cooper Say About the Promised ADAP Funding? http://www.thebody.com/content/65659/what-would-anderson-cooper-say-about-the-promised-.html "Keeping them honest" -- where is the money? Almost two months ago on World AIDS Day, December 1st 2011, President Obama thankfully promised an additional 35 million dollars that would go to state ADAP (AIDS Drug Assistance Programs). This money should have already been rolled out. However no state has yet to see any of these additional funds, and the frustration level in the HIV/AIDS community is building.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/65659/what-would-anderson-cooper-say-about-the-promised-.html Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:20:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) Action Alert: Ohioans Living With HIV/AIDS Need Our Help!!! http://www.thebody.com/content/65425/action-alert-ohioans-living-with-hivaids-need-our-.html As goes Ohio, so could the nation. The Ohio Health Department is putting up a strong fight to lower the federal poverty limit from its height of 500% in July 2010, lowered to 300% at that time, to now have the ability to implement a potential income eligibility change to as low as 100% FPL at anytime with no notice to anyone with a stroke of pen. If that rule had gone into effect, it would mean in order to qualify for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program a single individual cannot make more than $10,890 a year. Further, ODH could implement medical criteria one must also meet. Those given the highest priority will be PLWHA with CD4 counts lower than 201. The medical criteria make no mention of an important aspect of HIV care: viral load.

Read more ...

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/65425/action-alert-ohioans-living-with-hivaids-need-our-.html Mon, 16 Jan 2012 08:49:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) Tips and Resources to Help You Maintain Your Sobriety Over the Holidays http://www.thebody.com/content/65237/tips-and-resources-to-help-you-maintain-your-sobri.html Holidays can be an extremely stressful time of year. A lot of the stress is a result of added expectations from family and friends and LGBT individuals finding themselves in uncomfortable family situations.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/65237/tips-and-resources-to-help-you-maintain-your-sobri.html Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:40:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) Demand Hershey Trust Co. (Owners of Hershey Company) Reverse Decision on HIV+ Student and Dismiss School Officials http://www.thebody.com/content/65084/demand-hershey-trust-co-owners-of-hershey-company-.html How sad that this story continues and the school has not reversed course. Each night for the past three nights CNN's Anderson Cooper AC360 news show has made this a top story and has been giving it a lot of attention. Thank you Anderson for keeping this in the public domain. To view a clip of the story that appeared on AC360 the other night, click here.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/65084/demand-hershey-trust-co-owners-of-hershey-company-.html Fri, 2 Dec 2011 10:50:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) Video: This Is My Story, What's Yours? http://www.thebody.com/content/64605/this-is-my-story-whats-yours.html I tell you the story of my life to the background music of the Fray; "How to save a life". I want to hear your story. Send me a video reply and I'll post it on my you tube channel at www.youtube.com/riseuptohiv.

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]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/64605/this-is-my-story-whats-yours.html Tue, 1 Nov 2011 10:42:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) Mission, Vision and What It Means to Rise Up to HIV http://www.thebody.com/content/64532/mission-vision-and-what-it-means-to-rise-up-to-hiv.html Mission: To educate, inspire, empower, advocate, network and partake in social change through unilateral and collaborative social media efforts of organizations, PLWHA, and other individuals with diverse backgrounds from all over the world.

Vision: To create positive change for oneselves, families and entire communities around the world through an army of compassionate individuals and organizations as we march toward the cure for HIV/AIDS.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/64532/mission-vision-and-what-it-means-to-rise-up-to-hiv.html Sun, 16 Oct 2011 11:38:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) My Latest HIV Labs 19 Months Post HIV/HCV Diagnosis http://www.thebody.com/content/64387/my-latest-hiv-labs-19-months-post-hivhcv-diagnosis.html I wanted to share with you my latest HIV labs in hopes of familiarizing those newly infected with HIV to the kind of tests that may be performed at your check up every 3-6 months. I'll also explain some tests, and point you in the direction of resources to help you interpret your results. Please comment, I love comments!!

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/64387/my-latest-hiv-labs-19-months-post-hivhcv-diagnosis.html Sat, 8 Oct 2011 15:30:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) A Teacher Reflects on His HIV-Positive Status http://www.thebody.com/content/64290/a-teacher-reflects-on-his-hiv-positive-status.html I write this piece knowing that I am joined by many colleagues who are currently teaching around the US, and the world, as an HIV poz individual each with their own story and perspective as to how this disease has changed them personally and professionally. My story is not out of the ordinary or extraordinary but I wanted to share some of my experiences with a wider audience.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/64290/a-teacher-reflects-on-his-hiv-positive-status.html Thu, 6 Oct 2011 14:30:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) International AIDS Funding vs. Domestic Funding; The POTUS Must Act NOW! http://www.thebody.com/content/64215/international-aids-funding-vs-domestic-funding-the.html When PEPFAR was enacted in 2003 under George W Bush we were then talking about funding cuts and ADAP wait-lists. Today, the story is unchanged; in fact the AIDS crisis in America hasn't been as dire since the epidemic began 30 years ago. How is it that we can spend BILLIONS in US taxpayer dollars on overseas initiatives under PEPFAR, but cannot find 100 million to alleviate the current ADAP crisis in the United States? American citizens have fallen by the wayside of this administration's handling of our domestic AIDS crisis.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/64215/international-aids-funding-vs-domestic-funding-the.html Sun, 25 Sep 2011 17:48:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) Dating With HIV: My Experience and Thoughts http://www.thebody.com/content/63885/dating-with-hiv-my-experience-and-thoughts.html I am now 18 months post my dual diagnosis of HIV and hepatitis C, and nine months post successful hepatitis C treatment. I thought it was time to meet someone; no, not just for sex, but for something more. You see since my dual diagnosis I have felt completely asexual, and I'll admit, feeling a bit "tainted" too. Even HIV+ guys are hesitant to meet me when I tell them I also "had" hepatitis C.

So, wonderful, where does that put me in the dating scene? Someone would really have to be desperate to meet me! Recently I met someone by the name of "Dustin." He smoked, and I said I would NEVER date a smoker, but I have been desperate to make a connection with another positive individual. I thought I could ignore the smoke. He was handsome, professional, similar in age, and a sweet talker, among, um, other things ...

Read more ...

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/63885/dating-with-hiv-my-experience-and-thoughts.html Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:15:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) The 4th Annual ADAP Summit; A Budding Advocate http://www.thebody.com/content/62953/the-4th-annual-adap-summit-a-budding-advocate.html Last week I attended the 4th Annual ADAP Summit in Washington, D.C. An event put on by Brandon Macasta CEO of the ADAP Advocacy Association (aaa+). The association's mission and purpose is to promote and enhance the AIDS drug Assistance Programs (ADAP's) and improve access to care for persons living with HIV/AIDS. They work with advocates, communities, health care, government, patients, pharmaceutical companies and other stakeholders.

This year's message was "When will Washington come to the rescue." Right now, as of July 1st 2011, 8,655 people across 13 states are on wait-lists to receive lifesaving HIV medications.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/62953/the-4th-annual-adap-summit-a-budding-advocate.html Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:30:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) My Message on the 30th Year of the AIDS Epidemic http://www.thebody.com/content/art62368.html 1981 was a happy time in my life. I was 5 years old, and my favorite toys were my Pound Puppy, Glo Worm, and my new bike. This was also the year I started kindergarten, and I still remember my kindergarten teacher Ms. Cambell and learning my ABC's via the "Animal People".

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/art62368.html Fri, 3 Jun 2011 13:30:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) The ADAP Crisis, and the Proverbial Water-Well http://www.thebody.com/content/art62220.html This morning I watched as six of 12 defenseless ducklings fell into a well, as the mother duck stood her ground and protected the other chicks from making the same mistake. The mother duck's quack became increasingly louder until residents of the apartment complex figured out what had happened, and rescued the baby chicks.

That mother duck and her chicks and the people who came to the rescue are an epitome of the ever-growing ADAP crisis occurring in our country right now. 8,310 humans are defenseless as they go untreated for their HIV/AIDS infection; defenseless because our government is not coming to the rescue to provide lifesaving medications.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/art62220.html Tue, 24 May 2011 13:11:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) Tell Washington, D.C. to FULLY Fund ADAP and Other HIV/AIDS Programs to Prevent Needless Deaths http://www.thebody.com/content/art61694.html I created this petition on change.org about three weeks ago, and it is approaching 600 signatures, though many more are needed. For those who have already signed, I thank you! Here is a link to the petition. Please sign, share on facebook, and tweet it. E mail it to friends and family, to any advocacy e mail list serves you have. I will be attending the ADAP summit in July and hope to present this petition to members of congress. Below is a brief description of the petition and the link to it.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/art61694.html Mon, 25 Apr 2011 14:42:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) My HIV Is My Strength; Don't Give Up! A Message of Hope http://www.thebody.com/content/art61406.html What a roller coaster of a year. First Diagnosed with HIV in March 2010 and with follow up labs in April 2010 told I had also contracted Hepatitis C genotype 1a (non IV drug user). At the same time I was dealing with an on and off again love affair with methamphetamine. I went away to The Pride Institute to get support with my dual diagnosis and addiction to methamphetamine. I can say it's now been a full year that I have not touched methamphetamine, and the compulsion to use has lifted. I realize I must still remain mindful of my prior addiction, and therefore meet with a talk-therapist on a weekly basis.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/art61406.html Sun, 3 Apr 2011 10:14:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) One Year Living With HIV and Hepatitis C http://www.thebody.com/content/art61187.html One year ago on March 3rd I learned that I had become infected with HIV and one month later with follow up labs learned that I had also contracted Hepatitis C through sexual contact. Fortunately, I caught both illnesses in the acute phase, and decided to go on medicine right away. I remember the day's leading up to this day waiting for my result, and then came the call from the doctor's secretary. "Kevin, the doctor needs to see you. When can you come in?"

I told them I could be there within 30 minutes. I hopped on the subway from 53/2nd where I was living in NYC to 17/3rd where my PCP office was. In my gut I knew what the outcome would be. I walked into the Doctor's office, and was met with a smile by the Receptionist. I sat down and within minutes I was called into a room I had never been in before. Another clue and with a pit in my gut now the reality was setting in. The Doctor walked in, and with a very expressionless face put a paper in front of me and told me, "it" came back positive.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/art61187.html Thu, 31 Mar 2011 18:11:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) Meet Matt and Cameron From San Diego: Together for Good http://www.thebody.com/content/art61294.html Beyond Matt and Cameron's gorgeous looks they both have big hearts. They have passion for life, for one another, and for helping in the HIV/AIDS community. Through their website and brand S&E they are giving back to the community. Visit their site for updated blog entries, fitness and nutrition advice. Their stories are filled with encouragement, words of advice, inspiration, and hope. Without further delay it's my please to introduce you to Matt and Cameron; in their own words.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/art61294.html Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:30:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) Meet Anthony Polimeni: Founder of My AIDS http://www.thebody.com/content/art61293.html Being positive for HIV is not who I am. I was born in 1981, so my life has never known a world without AIDS. When I was born though, I did not know about it and it was not who or what my life was going to be. Growing up my parents instilled in me that I am meant to be anything I want. I never said that I wanted to grow up and become an AIDS activist. What my parents also taught me as well is to be the best person I can be and when I am able to do that I can be proud of who I am.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/art61293.html Sun, 27 Mar 2011 20:02:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) One Year Without Crystal Meth: My Goodbye Message to You http://www.thebody.com/content/art61292.html This blog entry was inspired by a friend of mine who recently shared his good-bye message to his addiction.

It's been one year since I last used you. I can say that my occasional weekend love affair with you is over now. I wish I had never met you through a stranger on that website I used to frequent; I didn't know who you were until that night. You kidnapped me, and for 7 years from the age of 25-32 you kept coming back to haunt me sometimes many weekends in a row, sometimes months in between last seeing you, and one time as long as 6 months without you.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/art61292.html Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:25:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) My Friend's Candid Goodbye Letter to Crystal Meth and Other Addictions http://www.thebody.com/content/art61290.html This is a "Goodbye Letter to Addiction(s)" that I wrote on July 8th, 2010 while I was at Pride Institute Intensive Outpatient. It is unedited. I remember reading this out loud in my small group, and the relief I felt when I was done. If you've never taken the opportunity to do this, I encourage you to do so. Writing things out helps me to process through grief and loss ... and to move on.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/art61290.html Mon, 21 Mar 2011 17:24:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) It's Not Just About HIV and ME http://www.thebody.com/content/art61259.html You see, for many of us HIV is just a piece of the many challenges life will throw at us. It's just part of our story. The emotional and physical significance of having HIV will shift over time to other more pressing issues occurring in your life. While HIV maybe the primary concern in your life and an underlying cause for other medical issues in your life; many of us living with HIV have much more going on. For me HIV has been just part of my story over this past year, though it has been the MAJOR underlying factor to most everything going on in my life.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/art61259.html Sun, 20 Mar 2011 09:28:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) Connexion.org: An LGBT Social Networking Website http://www.thebody.com/content/art61258.html I reached out to connexion.org and an admin of the site replied to me with the below information. Personally. I have been a member of connexion.org for a long time now and compared to MH, A4A and numerous other sites I find this site to be top notch. They do not allow nude photos, and they have a verification process whereby you can have your picture certified or "authenticated." They have instant message and video capabilities built into the site as well. You can post questions on their message boards and participate in one of their groups. You can also import your blog, and favorite music. You can taylor your profile to your liking. This site is the LGBT facebook of the internet. They have various groups you can join and one such group is a HIV positive support group.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/art61258.html Tue, 15 Mar 2011 19:16:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney) The Global HIV Story Board Project http://www.thebody.com/content/art61257.html HIV is not only a gay disease, it is a HUMAN disease and it is GLOBAL pandemic, and your stories whether in writing or on video not only help to take away the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS, they remind us that HIV/AIDS is still exists. Your courageous stories I have read or heard over the past year have been powerfully uplifting, inspirational, informational, and empowering. Your stories at times have moved me to tears, have made me laugh, and have called me to action and given purpose to keep going. I chose not to give in to HIV and Hepatitis C, but to rise up above it; and a countless number of your stories from across the World helped me do just that.

]]> http://www.thebody.com/content/art61257.html Sun, 13 Mar 2011 15:10:00 GMT kevin@riseuptohiv.com (Kevin Maloney)