In
our last meeting we had a
guest speaker that was the most
courageous person I have ever met. He came to class
unashamed to discuss any questions we had for him. Likewise
he said things that were raw and uncut which made a big
impact on many students in the class because that is how we
relate to other people sometimes. Sometimes the message
doesn't go through as well if we had a more formal
presentation. Bob Bowers' presentation was real and in your
face.
Curtis
M.-UW-Madison
We hope you enjoy the photos from
our wide variety of presentations on HIV/AIDS
*
Over one million Americans are
living with HIV/AIDS today. Worldwide, the figure
is over 33 million
*Young people under the age of 25 reportedly account for half of all new HIV
infections each year
*Hepatitis B is 100 times more infectious than
HIV
* Existing
STDs/STIs greatly increase your risk for contracting
HIV
* Almost half of the U.S.’s over 19 million
STI
infections each year occur in
youth ages 15-24. A recent study found that one in
four young women ages 15-19 has an STI
Young people in the United States are at
persistent risk for HIV infection. This risk is especially notable for youth of
minority races and ethnicities. Continual
HIV prevention outreach and education
efforts, including programs on abstinence and on delaying the initiation of sex,
are required as new generations replace the generations that benefited from
earlier prevention strategies.
According to CDC’s Youth Risk Behavioral Survey (YRBS),
many young people begin having sexual intercourse at early ages: 47% of high
school students have had sexual intercourse, and 7.4% of them reported first
sexual intercourse before age 13.
HIV/AIDS education needs to take place at
correspondingly young ages, before young people engage in sexual behaviors that
put them at risk for HIV infection.
I learned many things
from your presentation
and it was actually a
lot of fun. I think that
you are an extremely
informative and
entertaining speaker. I
thought that you did a
great job of getting
your point across to us
about the seriousness of
HIV/AIDS. It was a lot
better than watching a
movie or reading the
information out of a
book. You are a great
person for taking the
time to inform us all.
~ Dieter B.
I just wanted to say...THANK YOU
:)...for coming to speak with my school (Sennett Middle School), I appreciated
the time and effort you put into talking to us about HIV/AIDS awareness, Your
story truly touched me, and you're a blessing to all of us :)
Sincerely,
-Capriana Copus
Ms.
Kalee Garland.
Kalee is 23 and was
born infected with HIV.
HIVictorious is proud to help this remarkable and courageous young lady share her story!
I am writing
to express how deeply you touched me during your
presentation. You speech was the most passionate,
interesting and encouraging I have ever heard. You taught us
the importance of hope when you are diagnosed with a deadly
virus like HIV. I can't tell you how much I respect and
admire what you do to
educate teens and adults about HIV and
how it can ruin your life forever if you let it. Above all
else, I respect what you go through each day to survive the
HIV virus and AIDS. Thanks again for your passion about
what you do and for your caring about my generation. I will
keep you, Michael, Richard, Eddie and Hilary in my prayers.
Thank
you so much for being able to
talk to us. I hope you realize
how many lives you have saved.
Your bravery and compassion
are truly inspiring. ~Marta
Hello
Bob,
I can't thank you and your group enough for visiting Oregon State
University. Below you'll find an email that was sent by one of my
students just minutes after your presentation today. Sharing your
stories obviously has an incredible impact. I know I was extremely
touched. I'll certainly be in touch, and wish each of you all the
very best.
Thank you SO much, Brenda p.s. On Wisconsin!!
I really felt that this class has
impacted my life strongly. I am a Christian woman who has always
believed in abstinence first and never really understood the flaw in
that. Yes abstinence is best, but eventually everyone is going to
have sex and these are things that need to be talked about. I knew
many people when I was in middle school who were sexually active so
this education needs to start early. I just got out of the
HIVictorious talk and am trying not to cry it impacted me so
strongly. Please tell them that. Also, on my way out I heard a guy
from class on the phone say "I was wondering where I could get an
HIV test." It made me really happy to see the affects of those
people's actions happen so quickly. Please tell them that as well.
Thank you so much for this opportunity to learn. I promise I'll pass
it on.
~Katie
Dear Friends,
We were very fortunate to have
Bob Bowers come to speak in our HIV/AIDS
classes at Oregon State University. Bob is a tremendously knowledgeable and
passionate educator and advocate. I don't even know how to put into words how
incredible it was to meet Bob and hear him talk to the classes. He truly speaks
from his heart and shares his knowledge, challenges and experiences in a way
that really affects the students. There is no doubt he truly impacted the
students, and helped many to really think about the decisions they make. He has
a true ability to
raise awareness and he puts a real face to the
issues. He is a true inspiration and has definitely touched the lives of many
students during his trip to Oregon.
Warm Regards,
Karen Elliott, PhD
Oregon State University
Above photos from
HIVictorious'
Oregon
speaking tour
We gave a variety of presentations on HIV/AIDS in schools, colleges,
universities, jails and rehab centers. Thank you to everyone for your
overwhelming support !
Dear
Mr. Bowers,
I am a freshman student at Edgewood High School, and I can not
express in words how grateful I am that you came to talk to
us about HIV/AIDS. Your presentation was very inspiring, and
it really hit home. I know you probably hear this all the
time, but I think you are one of the most amazing people I
have ever met. You have more courage than I or anyone else I
know could ever have, living with this disease every single
day without ever giving up. It really made me think how
blessed I am, and how everything can change in a heartbeat,
and how every day we should celebrate life, not take it for
granted. Your presentation really came from the heart, and
that meant a lot to me, because I think that being
"protected" from the truth and "blinded" from what is really
going on is wrong. This message needs to be spread, and I
just e-mailed to say thank you so much for showing me that
one person can make a difference.
What a great
cause ! And, what a REAL difference it makes in people's lives.
Blessings, And Warm Regards,
~Robin
Dear
Bob Bowers,
I loved
the presentation you gave on HIV/AIDS. It was very moving
and so real. At times I found myself trying to hold back my
own tears. I think that what you do is wonderful, helping
teens make wiser choices and educating them. Your speech was
not only informative but entertaining as well. I hope you
keep up the good health for many, many more years to come.
