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Posted on Friday, 02.20.09

HIV / AIDS AWARENESS SERIES

The Stigma Stops With Me

A story of courage and determination, Damaries "Dee" Cruz shares her story of living with, and raising awareness of, AIDS in South Florida.

AIDS challenge: convincing younger generation of deadliness

AIDS is no longer an automatic death sentence, which poses a danger for a new generation unaware of its lethal nature.

Key Resources

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1-800-CDC-INFO
CDC HIV/AIDS Hotline (email)
1-800-CDC-INFO
Miami-Dade Health Department
305-324-2400
Broward Health Department AIDS program
954-467-4779
Palm Beach Health Department
Care Resource
305-576-1234
South Beach AIDS Project
305-535-4733
Coalition to Reduce HIV in Broward's Minority Community
1-877-HIV-FREE
Florida Department of Health
850-245-4147
AIDSinfo -- U.S. Dept. of Health
1-800-HIV-0440
Soy - Univision AIDS awareness
1-866-TU-SALUD
The Body - The complete AIDS resource (shown in video)

Part One: This is your mission

Damaries "Dee" Cruz talks about the day she learned she was HIV positive. Doctors told her she had one year to live. She continues to devote her life to raising awareness about HIV and AIDS -- 17 years later.

Part Two: It's my personal choice

Cruz made a personal choice to pursue holistic treatments for her illness. She does not take traditional medications, despite her doctor�s recommendations. She explains her controversial decision.

Part Three: Stop the stigma

Cruz talks about the stigma still attached to HIV/AIDS. We see her in action in public forums speaking frankly about her the disease.

Part Four: Get tested and re-tested

Cruz discusses the importance of getting tested and being re-tested. We see her on a date and she talks about the precautions she takes to have modern day romantic relationships.

About the FIU project

AIDS hits close to home for many of the students who worked on the presentation.
Watch the video | Read their story

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