- Providing a forum for youth and young adults to encourage dialogue about
healthier decision-making and motivation to surpass difficult life situations
- Educating youth and young adults about healthier choices in sexual practices
to avoid STD’s and HIV/AIDS
- Raising awareness of the associated stereotypes and stigmas surrounding
HIV/AIDS
- Advocating for those who suffer with HIV/AIDS to have access to medical care
and life-saving medications
- Fighting complacency and encouraging community as well as national involvement
to help ensure a future without HIV/AIDS
"On 9-11 four jets crashed with no survivors. Our nation declared a full out war. In 2006 alone, roughly 3 million people lost their lives to
AIDS. That is the equivalent of 20 fully loaded jumbo jets crashing daily for a year, with no survivors and no war! In our 27th year with over 25 MILLION deaths, I ask why we globally have not declared a full out war on
AIDS? Obviously saving human lives is not top priority for our great Nation and others. It is unthinkable to refer to such utter carnage and disregard as a cause!"
-Bob Bowers
The Campaign to END AIDS
Bob being interviewed on 92.1 the Mic after
presenting for the
ACT 6 AIDS
Ride
"My
personal ambition
is to inspire
and motivate
everyone to
be victorious
in life's challenges.
In this process
I educate about
the cause of
HIV/AIDS, the
consequences
of having it,
and how I have
survived for
over 24 years."
Bob Bowers,
also known as "Da
Pirate," or, "One Tough Pirate," is a 24-year thriving survivor of HIV/AIDS. To
broaden his message of survival, prevention through education, hope and compassion, he founded
HIVictorious, Inc. in 2005. He is generously outspoken about his life struggles
and personal choices prior to the time of his infection. He shares how HIV
disease has helped him to make better choices and to appreciate the very simple
beauty of day-to-day life. "For everything negative I can say about HIV, I can
also find something positive to say. It's all about choices and playing the hand
you are dealt." Contracting HIV over two decades ago, before HIV testing was
available, and shortly after receiving his ‘official’ diagnosis before
anti-viral medications were available, Bob’s hope for survival turned
immediately inward to mind, body and spirit. Since that dramatic turning point
at a young age and through an 11-year marriage, he continues to fight the daily
battles of adverse drug reactions through his intense desire to live. His tough
muscular and tattooed appearance is softened by his inner sincerity and
compassion while sharing his 24-year experience with this devastating disease.
Mr. Bowers is truly dedicated to making a lasting difference in the fight
against HIV/AIDS, as well as other social issues. He is a powerful and
motivating speaker that reaches out to a large array of diverse audiences. He is
a tireless and passionate advocate helping to shape HIV/AIDS policy. He is also
active in fund-raising events, camps for youth affected or infected by HIV,
guest-speaking engagements, and youth prevention education in schools, colleges,
jails and community organizations. He has been interviewed through TV, Radio,
Magazine and Newspapers, and has written articles featured in Web-MD, The Body,
and AIDS Project Los Angeles’ Positive Living. The feature length documentary,
“The Fire Within”, follows his life during 1999 as a moving story of courage,
passion for life and the healing use of choice. Some of Bob’s awards are: FWA
Winner of Best Speaking Panel-Human Sexuality, San Diego State University; AIDS
Network Client Services Volunteer Award and AIDS Network Executive Director's
Award for Outstanding Community HIV/AIDS Service, Madison, Wisconsin. Bob is
living proof that there is nothing impossible in this world if you apply
yourself physically, spiritually and emotionally. He is a champion for hope and
survival despite some of the difficult circumstances that we ALL face in life.
Mr. Bowers states,
My
husband and I watched 'The Fire Within' last night. It was so
powerful and heartfelt. You are an amazing spirit Bob. You are a
brave 'WARRIOR' and you put up a good fight against HIV/AIDS. I hope
you are doing well today! It's a day at a time. I thank you for the
work you are doing and the hope you instill.
Peace, Good Health and Many, Many Blessings friend,
~Nancy~
****************************
HIVictorious,
Inc. strives to comply with
all applicable federal and state
laws, which protect persons
on the basis of race disability,
color, creed religion, gender,
gender expression, age, sexual
orientation, national origin,
ancestry, citizenship, military
status, or any other protected
classification. It does not
knowingly violate such laws
in its employment and
volunteer
practices. These same standards
also apply to all actions undertaken
by HIVictorious, Inc., its Board
of Directors, and its affiliates
to fulfill its mission of prevention
education and outreach.
HIVictorious, Inc. is a non-profit
public benefit organization
501(c)(3)
"If we
are ever to see an END
to this dreadful
pandemic called AIDS, a
shift in social
conscientiousness, more
heart, enduring
collaborations, and the
political will are
absolutely vital. With
just over 33 million of our
Brothers and Sisters
living with HIV, and
another 25 million who
have perished,
regardless of an end to
AIDS, we must continue
to address some of the
core and long-standing
issues. Issues such as
poverty, racism,
homophobia, women's rights
and mental health.
Whether we realize it or
not, AIDS affects all of
us. Thank you for doing
your part in the fight
against HIV/AIDS!
Together we can and are
making a lasting difference in
the lives of many."
~ Bob Bowers
-Founder and President -
HIVictorious, Inc.
All proceeds go
directly to support HIVictorious' education and outreach
Bob
Bowers' story was very inspiring to me.
Listening to him made me think more about
taking life day by day and to not take things
for granted. It was really great of him
to come in and talk to us about his situation.
I admire him tons for his courage and strength.
His story inspired me to think differently
about many things like racism, love, acceptance
and life itself. Not only was Mr. Bowers'
presentation inspiring, it was also extremely
informative. All the information I learned
really made me think about what I personally
can do to help the spread and
affects of HIV, as well as other
STI's.
~ Frances
S.
It was a true honor
to speak at the
2007
International Candlelight
Memorial in Key
West, Florida.
Thank you to David
Harer, AIDS Help
Inc., the Florida
Department of Health
and to all the organizers
and volunteers!
“Whether
we realize it or
not, we are all
affected by HIV/AIDS.
This is a disease
of humanity that
must continue to
be dealt with humanely,
swiftly and responsibly.
I’m certain our
administration hopes
our voices will
just go away, that
is just not going
to happen!”
