The road to Positive Women’s Network has twists and turns for many women. They might carry our phone number with them for months before they make their first call. Or they might phone anonymously, asking about HIV itself, treatments, our programs, measuring their comfort with meeting in person. Some phone soon after diagnosis or drop-in. Everyone has their own way of dealing with their diagnosis. But if we’ve seen one thing over the years, connection with other women makes dealing with it a little lighter.

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You may have heard about the relatively new “cervical cancer vaccine” to protect against four strains of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). One of the most common sexually transmitted infections, HPV will infect 3 out of 4 sexually active women at some point in their life, and can lead to cervical cancer if it’s not treated. Studies of the vaccine have demonstrated a benefit for girls and women with healthy immune systems, but no study has tested it on immune-compromised women. Dr Deborah Money of Oak Tree Clinic is leading research to change that, hoping to benefit women in internationally.

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HIV activists have often focused on things the majority of people don’t want to hear. We’ve talked about who’s having sex with whom and how to do it safely; health care, racism, sexism and homophobia; power positions in relationships, government and research; and much more. There is always something to learn- scientific research is revealing more about the natural progression of HIV. We’re learning what treatments work in whom and in what combination.

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 Here we are again, January at Positive Women’s Network. I  haven’t heard any  big personal  resolutions, but everyone here is dealing with the details of everyday life that makes a difference for women with HIV. We’ve set our dates for retreats for the year, so that ‘s good news. Women who have never met anyone with HIV will have a chance to meet peers who’ve been positive for years. Women who live in isolation will be able, for a weekend anyway, to be as open as they wish. Sangam’s set the schedule for the support group, which has been going in one form or another for eight years.  Stacie’s back at Outreach after a break for the holidays. And I am working on the program for SpringBoard, our annual day conference held in honour of International Women’s Day.  

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