INDIANAPOLIS — INDIANAPOLIS — For the last 32 years, December first has marked World AIDS Day. It's a time to remember the millions of lives that have been lost since the beginning of the HIV epidemic, while also celebrating how far the world has come in ending the stigma surrounding HIV along with the advancements in how the virus is treated.
COVID-19, however, has made serving those living with HIV more challenging.
"I think people have had a lot of stress and anxiety," Alan Witchey, President & CEO of the Damien Center, said. "Some people have been afraid to go to medical appointments or they've missed medications. The key thing for us has been we've been there to fill those gaps."
The Damien Center fills those gaps by getting life-saving medicine delivered to people's homes and/or doing virtual appointments. That way, the person living with HIV doesn't have to unnecessarily risk exposure to the virus. The work they're doing isn't lost on their clients.
WRTV talked to Todd Fuqua a few months ago about the extra care and attention the Damien Center is giving (with help from the community) to people like him living with HIV.
"To know the community hasn't forgotten about us is nice because it's easy with everything going on with Covid to think like that's the only thing going on," Fuqua said. "But HIV is still here. I have to worry about it. There are people out here who need care."
Witchey says on this World AIDS Day, it's important to remember how far we've come in ending HIV.
"We have medications that we never had before. They allow a person with HIV to be virally suppressed which means they can't pass on the virus," Witchey said. "It allows someone who doesn't have the virus to take the medication and if they're exposed to it, they won't catch it."
If you'd like to help the Damien Center with their work, you can donate through this link.
