In this inspiring Medill News Service story, Jay Sympson is featured as an HIV-positive triathlete. Sympson, who was diagnosed with HIV nearly 25 years ago, trains with the TEAM TO END AIDS (T2), which raises money and awareness for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.
This year's T2 events include the the Chicago Marathon, the Wrigley Field Road Tour, the Life Time Chicago Triathlon and the Honolulu Marathon, among others. T2 presents a unique opportunity to achieve physical fitness goals while making a real difference in the lives of others. To learn more and register today, click here.
Activists rally in support of the Robin Hood Tax ahead of a NATO Summit in Chicago, IL. Photo courtesy of Occupy Wall St.
By Jim Merrell
CHICAGO, IL - Usually, when NATO descends on a city it's more about destroying targets than being one. This week, however, activists from across the world have flipped the cross hairs as the NATO summit in Chicago is targeted as one of the biggest opportunities for public activism in 2012.
But what does a 63-year-old military alliance have to do with struggles for social justice (let alone the struggle to end AIDS)?
The Change My Story team at the Golden Trumpet Awards, from left to right, Alicia Bunton, Director of Care and Quality Improvement; Johnathon Briggs, Chief Officer of External Relations; Wady Guzman, Graphic Design/Web Content Coordinator.
By Johnathon E. Briggs and Alicia Bunton
Inside the Palmer House Hilton Hotel, at the premier awards competition for Chicago’s communications professionals, a hush fell over the crowd. The surprise winner of one of the Publicity Club of Chicago’s most prestigious awards – the Edwin J. Shaughnessy Quality of Life Award – was about to be revealed.
The “Change My Story” health promotion campaign of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) had already won a Golden Trumpet Award for outstanding achievement in community relations. We had zero expectation of another honor. We scanned the grand ballroom, whispering amongst ourselves, “I wonder who’s going win?”
Do you ever feel there are critical advances in HIV/AIDS prevention that aren't being properly covered in the mainstream media? Or that there are complex HIV/AIDS-related healthcare and funding issues not being clearly explained? Or that there are powerful HIV/AIDS stories here in Chicago just waiting for someone to tell them? We feel that way, too!
At the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC), we’re committed to changing the story of HIV/AIDS. Inside Story aims to take you inside that story, to give you an intimate look at how AFC, and other Chicago and national organizations, are fighting HIV/AIDS through medical, housing and support services; cutting-edge research into prevention and treatment methods; and advocacy for stronger HIV-AIDS public policy from legislators.
If you have questions or blog ideas, please contact AFC Communications Coordinator at rsingleton@aidschicago.org.
