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Family Ambassadors

Jake Glaser

Jake Glaser. (Photo: EGPAF)

Jake's Story of Hope

"I consider myself very lucky. Thanks to my mom and the work of many others, I am able to lead a normal and productive life. But there are still so many kids, many of them my close friends, who are not as lucky. The truth is we are far from done in the fight against AIDS, and there are a lot of kids out there who need our help in order to survive. That's why research is more important today than ever. It is the key to finding a vaccine, and ultimately, a cure. And we cannot afford to wait.”

Jake Glaser is the son of Elizabeth Glaser and a healthy HIV-positive young adult.

Ben Banks

Ben and Kasiah Banks. (Photo: Getty Images)

Ben's Story of Hope

"I had to face the reality that the blood that saved my life from cancer 10 years earlier gave me HIV. I went from no medications to being put on AZT. AZT was available to children because of Elizabeth Glaser."

Ben has been living with HIV since childhood. He and his wife, Kasiah, live in Virginia.

Julie Jones Barnes

Julie (right) with Tanya Torres. (Photo: EGPAF)

Julie's Story of Hope

"Through discrimination from school peers, I experienced the negativity of how HIV affects one's life. So I’m trying to get involved so that other kids know that what they have doesn’t define who they are."

Julie acquired HIV through mother-to-child transmission. She has been speaking for EGPAF since childhood.

The Belfiore Family

The Belfiore children. (Photo: Belfiore Family)

The Belfiores' Story of Hope

"The medicine that our children need was made possible because of EGPAF's work. We want to help other families, and we are grateful that there is an organization like EGPAF that can show us the way."

Bill and Susan Belfiore adopted four HIV-positive children from Romania. They live in New Jersey with their five children: Ramona, Ionel, Loredana, Mihaela, and Aiden.

Hydeia Broadbent

(Photo: Hydeia Broadbent)

Hydeia's Story of Hope

"I hope my contributions help people understand AIDS, motivate them to ask questions, and inspire them to take action against discrimination towards those affected."

HIV-positive since birth, Hydeia bravely began to share her story at age six. Today, she is a passionate advocate, fighting for others affected by HIV/AIDS. 

Martha Cameron

Martha with husband Andy and son Josiah. (Photo: Martha Cameron)

Martha's Story of Hope

"Every mother, regardless of where she lives, should have the opportunity to have an HIV-negative child, but so many cannot reach the services they need to do so, or don’t even know that they can. As an HIV-positive mother of two HIV-negative babies, I feel it is my duty to educate women about stigma, HIV prevention, and the incredible gift of PMTCT services."

Originally from Zambia, Martha and her family now live in the U.S., where she continues to advocate for increased access to PMTCT services for women.

Lee and Lucas Courtney

Lee and Lucas Courtney. (Photo: EGPAF)

The Courtneys’ Story of Hope

"Hopefully someday soon, there will be a cure for HIV. Until then, the most important thing we can do is eliminate pediatric AIDS by preventing the transmission of HIV from moms to their children. We can eliminate it if we raise money, educate people who don’t understand, and help the moms and kids that need it." -- Lucas Courtney

Lucas and Lee Courtney acquired HIV through mother-to-child transmission. Today, they are healthy and active boys who participate in EGPAF events with their family to raise awareness about pediatric AIDS.

Joey DiPaolo

Joey DiPaolo.  (Photo: EGPAF)

Joey's Story of Hope

"One thing about EGPAF is that it is a family. I first met Elizabeth in 1993, and ever since then, I’ve been blessed to be part of the EGPAF family."

As a child, Joey acquired HIV through a blood transfusion during open heart surgery. He has been raising awareness about the disease as a speaker since 1990.

Jamie Gentille

Jamie Gentille and her husband Paul. (Photo: EGPAF)

Jamie's Story of Hope

"I’d like to thank EGPAF for helping to give people like me a chance at life. Elizabeth Glaser fought to give children access to the lifesaving medications that I received. I'm hopeful that people in our country and all over the world will have the same resources that I did to thrive in this world, living with HIV."

Jamie contracted HIV during heart surgery when she was three years old. She now works as a child life specialist in Virginia.

Fortunata Kasege

Fortunata Kasege. (Photo: Gary He/AP Images for ONE Campaign)

Fortunata's Story of Hope

"Through my experience living with HIV, and raising a HIV-negative child, I developed a deep desire to become a part of advocacy and community outreach. Today, I use my personal story to educate people about HIV and AIDS to give hope to those who are infected and affected, and to eliminate stigma and stereotyping. If being infected with HIV could happen to me, it could happen to anyone, and people need to know that."

Originally from Tanzania, Fortunata traveled to the United States while pregnant with her daughter, Florida, to become a journalist. Soon after her arrival, Fortunata discovered she was HIV-positive. Luckily, Fortunata had access to services that prevented the transmission of HIV to Florida, who is HIV-free. Today, Florida and Fortunata advocate actively on behalf of EGPAF.

Patience Mapfumo

Patience Mapfumo. (Photo: EGPAF, 2012)

Patience's Story of Hope

"Since Josphat’s birth and learning of his HIV-negative status, I’ve continued to attend support group sessions and maintained having regular check-ups at the hospital.  I’m an advocate so other women understand that being HIV positive is not the end. Josphat and I are proof that an HIV-positive woman can have a healthy HIV-negative baby."

Patience is a trained home-based care giver and a very active support group member.

Janice McCall

• Janice's Story of Hope
• Janice's Letter to Her Younger Self
• Melissa McCall (Janice's Mom)'s Letter to Her Younger Self

"The more I grow, the more I am beginning to realize that I am still a normal person doing normal things, regardless of my HIV status. And while living with HIV is a challenge, I am happy. I am a stronger person today because of everything I’ve been through in my life, and I have learned the importance of making the best of things."

Janice was unknowingly infected with HIV at birth. After learning of her HIV-positive status in sixth grade, she developed an interest in advocacy. Today, she is involved in the HIV/AIDS community, and studies public health and international relations. 

The Meredith Family

The Meredith family: Alee, Yonas, Clay, Mitchell, Suzan.(Photo: Meredith Family)

The Merediths' Story of Hope

"The difference between where we were more than a decade ago and where we are now is like night and day. We're not scared of HIV anymore. Thanks to EGPAF, we have hope for the future."

Suzan Meredith unknowingly transmitted HIV to both her daughter, Alee, and son, Mitchell, at birth. Suzan and her husband Clay, who live in Kentucky, also have an adopted HIV-positive son, Yonas, who was born in Ethiopia.

Marty Mitchell

Marty Mitchell. (Photo: EGPAF)

Marty's Story of Hope

"Brett led a very full life, which I am so thankful for. Just because Brett’s struggle with HIV is over does not mean that I will ever stop fighting or educating about this virus, nor should any of us."

Marty's son, Brett Lykins, passed away due to AIDS in 2007. In honor of her son's memory, Marty continues to speak on HIV/AIDS issues.

Josephine Nabukenya

Josephine Nabukenya. (Photo: EGPAF)

Josephine's Story of Hope

"My dream is to help children living with HIV deal with the stigma they face both in the community and at school."
Josephine is a HIV-positive student living in Kampala, Uganda.

As a peer advocate and counselor, Josephine has travelled extensively around Uganda and to the United States to share her story. In 2005, Josephine testified on behalf of EGPAF at a Congressional briefing on Capitol Hill.

Florence Ngobeni-Allen

Florence Ngobeni-Allen and son Alex. (Photo: Florence Ngobeni-Allen)

Florence's Story of Hope

"I can tell you that losing a child to HIV is the worst thing a mother can go through. When I lost Nomthunzi, I cried for a long time. Then I decided to stand up and try to make a difference."

In 1994, Florence lost her five-month-old baby, Nomthunzi, to AIDS. Today, Florence lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, and is the mother of two healthy boys.

Cristina Peña

Cristina Peña and her boyfriend Chris. (Photo: EGPAF)

Cristina's Story of Hope

"Through my HIV, I’ve learned the art of balance. The beautiful paradox about my life with HIV is that it is cruel and beautiful; tough and simple; and predictable and random."

Cristina was infected with HIV at birth and has been an advocate for people living with HIV/AIDS throughout her life. She graduated from college with a degree in journalism, and lives in California.

Marilyn Rodriguez

Marilyn Rodriguez. (Photo: EGPAF)

Marilyn's Story of Hope

"We have to keep working together and invest the necessary resources until we win the fight against HIV/AIDS. It’s not about how much; it’s about how many. There are a lot of lives to be saved."

Marilyn lost both her parents and her sister, Ana, to AIDS. Marilyn has continued speaking to young people about the need for increased HIV awareness and funding.

Erick Shayo

Erick Shayo. (Photo: EGPAF)

Erick's Story of Hope

"Many thanks to the Foundation for bringing the care and treatment services to Kilema Hospital. I am confident that the services we receive will help my wife and I live long and productive lives."

Erick lives in Tanzania and is a secondary school teacher. Diagnosed with HIV in 1998, he began visiting an EGPAF-supported medical center for HIV medication, and today volunteers as a lay counsellor at Kilema Hospital in the Kilimanjaro region.

Cameron Siemers

Cameron Siemers with actress Courteney Cox at the A Time for Heroes Celebrity Carnival. (Photo: EGPAF)

Cameron's Story of Hope

"We are far from done in the fight against AIDS. This disease is smart and if we don't continue to do research, it will win. But if you don't have a positive attitude, most likely you'll lose. That's my family's motto: Keep a positive attitude."

Cameron contracted HIV through a blood transfusion when he was seven. His disease proved difficult to treat: None of the limited number of HIV drugs approved for children worked for him. Fortunately, Cameron, now an adult, has found a regimen that allows him to manage his disease.