A week after the 2025 U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS, our BLN24 team is still reflecting on the powerful conversations and commitments made at #2025USCHA. Attending were Communications Specialist, Vanina Waingortin, and VP of Marketing and Communications, Michael Dumlao, who brought his experience as a long-term survivor living with HIV for over 20 years. The conference reinforced that ending the epidemic takes more than science—it demands inclusion, storytelling, and community.

Aging with HIV: Beyond Viral Suppression:With nearly half of people living with HIV (PLWH) now over 50, aging took center stage. Viral suppression alone is no longer enough—sessions emphasized the importance of addressing comorbidities like heart disease, neurocognitive decline, social isolation, caregiving, and stigma. In their session, Rev. Carmarion D. Anderson-Harvey and author Mark S. King from The Reunion Project led a powerful discussion on processing the losses that come with aging while creating space for joy, reflection, and connection.

Centering Lifetime Survivors

Sessions led by Iesha Scott of the Dandelions Movement and Lifetime Survivor Network reminded us of the unique challenges faced by people born with or diagnosed early with HIV. Survivors shared stories of medical trauma, cognitive issues, and being overlooked in policy. Their message: “Let us lead.” Peer-led healing, trauma-informed care, and survivor-centered policy are essential for this community’s well-being. As Porchia Dees, CEO of the Lifetime Survivors Network, said, “Quality of life can’t just be measured in viral load count; it must be measured in joy and life without stigma.”

Reaching 50+ PLWH Online

NMAC’s new digital education platform for people 50+ with HIV offers self-paced, culturally relevant resources to address health, advocacy, and aging. Designed to close knowledge gaps and empower users, it also addresses barriers faced by Spanish-speaking and digitally disconnected communities.

The Power of Storytelling

From the legacy of Ryan White—beautifully honored by his mother Jeanne White-Ginder—to moving accounts from advocates like Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Rae Lewis-Thornton, the week reinforced that personal stories drive systemic change. Lived experience remains one of our most powerful tools for dismantling stigma.

Closing with Purpose

In the final plenary, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Admiral Rachel Levine, and others affirmed that we have the tools to end the epidemic—but only if we ensure fair access to care. That means restructuring funding, building culturally competent care models, and fostering intergenerational leadership.

We’re grateful to NMAC—and extend congratulations to incoming CEO Harold Phillips—for creating such an empowering space. As we return to our work supporting HIV/AIDS policymakers and resource providers, we carry these lessons forward. At BLN24, we remain committed to communications that build trust, storytelling that centers humanity, and strategies that leave no one behind.