At the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, many Americans had little sympathy for people with AIDS. The feeling was that somehow people from certain groups 'deserved' their illness. Let us put those feelings behind us. We are fighting a disease, not people ...The country must face this epidemic as a unified society. We must prevent the spread of AIDS while at the same time preserving our humanity and intimacy." - Dr. C. Everett Koop

This is a particularly eventful week in the fight against AIDS - the conversation about a cure has returned to the forefront.  As doctors declare a child born HIV positive to be "functionally cured", that is able to live independent of treatment, I have heard more chatter about the possibility of ending the epidemic than I have since I was a child.  For however long this will last, days or weeks I'm not sure,  I'm just glad this talk has returned so that the complacency and acceptance I have witnessed over the years hopefully doesn't perpetuate, and the epidemic will see an end in my lifetime. 

I also am glad to have been introduced to the public figure that is Dr. C. Everett Koop.  While it was his passing on Feb 25th 2013 that made his name known to me, I will claim my ignorance of the most recognizable Surgeon General in the history of the U.S..  Living in a time where being a religious individual and a conservative is too often so backwards, it is nice to read about a man who was deeply religious, but at the same time understood the true meaning of human good and public service, and how this is the paramount concern.  It is a little sad that I still find his story of standing up against ridiculous conservative stances to be so relevant, but in a year where such things as the legitimacy of rape has been questioned, I do.  So today, I'm respecting the legacy of Dr. C. Everett Koop, a true public servant and an advocate for all. 

(this video from the 80's is pretty telling as well)