Time to read
Twenty five-year-old medical student Maggie has been driven to advocate for people living with HIV since sadly losing her biological parents at a very young age to AIDS.
Originally from Malawi, Maggie witnessed how children in her home country were often “pushed to the outskirts of society” due to the impact of HIV on their families and she feels “fortunate” that her aunt and uncle adopted and raised her. Having witnessed the prejudice surrounding HIV when they first arrived in the UK, her adoptive parents made efforts to shield Maggie from similar challenges. As she grew older, Maggie became increasingly aware of how stigma affects people living with HIV in the UK, inspiring her to become an HIV advocate.
Because of this, Maggie is determined to tackle discrimination, and raise awareness for the fight for equal rights for people living with HIV. As well as acting as a Student Ambassador for National AIDS Trust, she has set up an HIV and Pathology society at her Uni, organising a recent talk attended by over 100 students; organising a bake sale, with cakes, red ribbons and information galore on the work of NAT for her fellow students; and most recently, completed her first ever half marathon to raise vital funds for our campaigning work.
Maggie says: “I think it’s really important to share stories and experiences. That’s how you break down barriers. Because people living with HIV are more than their status. They’re deserving of love and respect, and they have hopes and dreams like any of us. Their status doesn’t define them.”