progress

Huge Breakthrough In HIV Research Brings Us Closer To A Vaccine →

By Tara Culp-Ressler on Jan 4, 2013 at 2:00 pm

A team of Spanish researchers say they have made an important breakthrough in HIV research, developing a new vaccine against the virus that is significantly more effective than earlier attempts. Advancing vaccine research could eventually eliminate the need for the expensive methods currently used to treat HIV-positive individuals.

Researchers tested the vaccine on randomly selected HIV-positive individuals who were already taking highly active antiretroviral of treatment currently available to combat the virus. They wanted to see if, rather than simply suppressing the effects of the virus with outside treatment, their vaccine could lead the human immune system to coordinate its own defense against HIV — and they succeeded, seeing some subjects’ HIV viral loads drop more than 90 percent after 12 weeks of the trial:

“What we did was give instructions to the immune system so it could learn to destroy the virus, which it does not do naturally,” said Felipe Garcia, one of the scientists in the team at Barcelona University’s Hospital Clinic.
The therapeutic vaccine, a shot that treats an existing disease rather than preventing it, was safe and led to a dramatic drop in the amount of HIV virus detected in some patients, said the study, published Wednesday in Science Translation Medicine. […]
The vaccine allowed patients temporarily to live without taking multiple medicines on a daily basis, which created hardship for patients, could have toxic side-effects over the long term and had a high financial price, the team said.
“This investigation opens the path to additional studies with the final goal of achieving a functional cure — the control of HIV replication for long periods or an entire life without anti-retroviral treatment,” the researchers said in a statement.

The researchers did find that the effectiveness of the vaccination declined after the first year, when patients had to return to their previous HAART treatment. Still, though, they noted this breakthrough is the culmination of seven years of research — and they will spend the next several years working to improve the vaccine even further.

Over the past year, the global community has made significant strides forward in its mission to eradicate the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This latest scientific progress builds upon previous research and policy advances that have contributed to better tests and treatments for HIV, better health care for HIV-positive individuals, and ever-increasinglife expectancy rates for those living with the virus.therapy (HAART) medications, the most scientifically advanced form 

A Picture is Worth....

I ordered a Digital SLR Camera today.  It took two days really for me to decide and I believe for a beginner, like myself, I found a great deal and chose a great brand and model.





Canon EOS Rebel T3 12.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera



  • 18-55mm IS II Lens (Black)
  • 58mm 2x Telephoto Lens
  • 58mm Wide Angle Lens (3 Lens Kit!!!)
  • 32GB SDHC Memory
  • Extra Battery/Charger
  • 3 Piece Filter Kit
  • Case
  • Full Size Tripod
  • Accessory Kit

I’ve been wanting to do something like this for many years; I just never gave myself the time for it, nor did I ever put the money aside to do.  Money, for a very long time, went to clubbing and drugs. 

Life is far from what it used to be, and thank G.O.D. for that!! I never thought I would be back in school, working again, having wonderful loving people in my life.  This small purchase will enable me to capture many moments share with those loving people.  Also, it’s a small step in pursuing my long term goal to be an Art Therapist.

Thank you Daniel, Thomas, Rick, Keith, and Jon for inspiring me through your photos and for being a friend! 

Things Just Ain't the Same...

Today… I had an interview… First time I have ever been in group interviews (four candidates, including myself, were interviewed together) We sat in a circle with four of the staff members.  It was interesting… Oh yeah… this is the company.

After the interview I went hurried to the doctor’s office for my appointment.  They removed more precancerous tissue.  Again, precancerous!  Grateful that all of this is being caught now. 

I also weighed myself… I have gained 2 lbs… of course I have! I have not been jogging in about 2 months.  #FAIL… Hopefully, once I am employed, I will be able to join a gym and continue on with my 40 lbs by 40 yo challenge.  I have another organization that wants to interview me next week. 

Life is a lot different than it was over a year ago… who knows if I would have ever gotten these medical procedures done if while I was still using and abusing drugs. I certainly was not employable then. Sitting still for an interview would have been nearly impossible.  

I am in a better place now… things are looking up.  I start training to become a CASAC on December 5th and I see myself being employed soon.  

That’s a beautiful thing!

White House to host first ever trans meeting →

Transgender activists intend to discuss federal policy issues at an upcoming White House meeting that will be the first ever held by the Office of Public Engagement to focus solely on trans issues.

Shin Inouye, a White House spokesperson, said the meeting, which is set to take place Friday at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, will include transgender leaders who work on federal policy. READ MORE