HIV Survivor’s Quilt To Recognize Those Living With The Virus In Chattanooga
There were more new cases of HIV in the Volunteer State in 2014 than there were in San Francisco.
However he believes the tide will turn in the South’s fight against HIV.
"I have a lot of friends because of the advances in medicines who are no longer dying, they are actually surviving, I feel it’s important for me now, to honor the people that are surviving with this."
Hill is voluntarily compiling a giant quilt with custom panels for those who are still fighting the virus in East Tennessee.
"Show people you can live with this if you take your meds, do what you are supposed to, we have survivors who are living, who are I think one who is 42 years surviving."
A dozen Chattanoogans have already come forward.
One Chattanooga man has been living with HIV for 31 years and says it’s a very real problem affecting hundreds of people right here in the Tennessee Valley.
Mark Grantham, HIV Positive Since 1984,"I introduce myself as Mark and I am HIV positive, I want to put that on the table, flat out, if you can deal with it or not deal with it, choice is yours."
Grantham wants more Chattanoogans to get checked for the virus.
He added there are multiple state and federal grants available to cover medical costs including the Ryan White Care Act of 2009.
"If I didn’t have my current insurance i would be up a creek without a paddle just the one pill alone is 1500 dollars a month, that’s more than i make on disability."
The HIV survivors quilt will be publicly displayed downtown on December 1st of 2015.
If you would like to get involved with the HIV survivors quilt or to find out more information about HIV prevention, links below.
Chuck Hill- Chuckintn@aol.com
http://health.state.tn.us/STD/data.shtml
http://chattanoogacares.org/
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