JLVernonPhD presents "American SciCo"

Kathleen Sebelius sent out this message today to those of us who work for health-related government agencies.  I’m proud to be working on a potential cure for HIV/AIDS.  America should be proud of our government’s commitment to this devastating disease.

Here’s her message:

Colleagues: Yesterday was a very important day—June 5 marked the 30th anniversary of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) first published report of what would come to be known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or AIDS.

The story of the first 3 decades in this fight has been one of great investment, discovery, and collaboration. But it is also a story of enormous uncertainty and terrible loss. As part of that story, more than 600,000 Americans, and nearly 30 million others from around the world, died long before they should have.

We must never forget that the story of HIV/AIDS is one of countless individual human lives. And we can never allow ourselves to believe that the scourge is over until AIDS is a closed chapter in our history books.

So many of you are working to make that a reality. I am honored to lead this institution that is full of everyday heroes. Each and every day, you put your minds and hearts to work to prevent new infections, to uncover the mysteries of the virus, and to create and improve programs that deliver life-saving treatment to millions of people here in the U.S. and around the world.

You serve on the frontlines, providing the healthcare, support services, and counseling that people living with HIV/AIDS need most. And you have helped us build bridges and trust that lead to getting more people tested and into treatment.

On behalf of HHS, I want to say how grateful we are to each of you. Because of you, we’ve had some exciting breakthroughs on reducing HIV transmission and advancing HIV care and treatment. You are helping us to implement the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and to develop new and innovative collaborations with other Federal Departments and agencies across the government.

Because of you, more people will live long, productive, and happy lives. Thanks to you, the hope for an end to HIV/AIDS is no longer a distant dream.

You can learn more about what HHS and your colleagues are doing by visiting AIDS.gov—where you can also find information about HIV testing and other services. I also encourage you to sign up for AIDS.gov’s June 15 webinar titled The State and Future of AIDS.

Finally, I hope you will join me, Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary for Health, and a panel of Federal and private-sector HIV leaders from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. on June 8 in the Great Hall of the Humphrey Building as we will remember those we have lost, acknowledge the gains we have made, and look to the future.

Kathleen Sebelius