Janice and Melissa: Inspiring Commitment

Recently, Ambassador Janice McCall sat down with her mom, Melissa, to share their own unique stories of living with HIV. In candid letters to their younger selves, Janice and Melissa wrote of the terror and desperation they felt in the first days, and even years, after their diagnoses. They shared the frightening reality of not knowing what tomorrow would bring, and the compassion from family and friends that kept them motivated to move forward in their lives. They were open, and honest, and real. And their candidness – and their powerful storytelling -- struck a chord with readers.

We received an overwhelming response from supporters and friends around the world responding to Janice and Melissa's letters. Notes of thanks, of encouragement, and of compassion flooded our inboxes and our social media networks. We read emails asking for more information, messages with questions, and letters with requests for Janice and Melissa to continue their lifesaving advocacy work. We heard from individuals who were inspired to do more, sharing the letters with their own networks and asking how they could help.

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