Event recap written by guest writer Jacqueline Hantgan, CIRM Sr. Outreach Advisor for Outreach and Advocacy
December is HIV/AIDS Awareness Month. To commemorate this important event, CIRM recently supported the the 3rd Annual Timothy Ray Brown Community Cure Symposium which took place at the Palm Springs Art Museum on World AIDS Day−December 1, 2024. It was a meaningful experience, blending personal stories, scientific breakthroughs, and the transformative power of art. The program highlighted the significant progress in HIV treatment and research while also honoring the ongoing struggles of those affected by the disease.
Key Highlights of the Event and Featured Guests:
Marc Franke, “The Düsseldorf Patient”: Diagnosed with HIV in 2008 and later with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), Marc became the longest-living person cured of HIV through a stem cell transplant in 2013, which marked a pivotal moment in HIV research.
Paul Edmonds, “City of Hope Patient”: Diagnosed with HIV and AIDS in 1988, Paul later developed AML. After extensive treatment, he is now free of both HIV and AML, representing the hope and progress made in the treatment of these life-threatening conditions.
Researchers:
The event featured insights from CIRM funded researchers in the field of HIV and AIDS treatment.
Paula Cannon, PhD, of the University of Southern California, discussed gene therapy and its potential in the fight against HIV, and Angelo Cardoso, MD, PhD, from City of Hope, and Sumit Chanda, PhD, from Scripps Research, focused on CAR T cell treatments and their potential to cure HIV.
Moderator & Organizer:
Jeff Taylor, Executive Director of the HIV+ Aging Research Project (H+ARP), moderated the event, guiding the conversations between survivors, researchers, and advocates.
Attendees were moved by the stories shared by Marc Franke and Paul Edmonds, followed by updates from CIRM-funded researchers who spoke about the latest progress in regenerative medicine, CAR T cell therapies, and HIV cure research.
The afternoon featured A Day With (OUT) Art – a series of seven powerful short films that depicted the emotional and physical realities of living with AIDS. These films served as a reminder of the challenges faced by the HIV-positive community. Following the screenings, a panel discussion with survivors and advocates emphasized the need for love, understanding, and compassion in future HIV/AIDS research and activism.
The event also included an art exhibit by renowned artist David Hockney, allowing attendees to experience his work within the museum’s galleries.
The event was an important reminder of the incredible strides made in HIV research and treatment while highlighting the need for continued advocacy, education, and community support. It underscored the importance of ongoing research in finding a cure for HIV and improving the lives of those living with the virus. It also celebrated the courage of those who have lived through the AIDS epidemic and remain hopeful for future breakthroughs.
To date, CIRM has provided more than $104 million in funding to support research in regenerative medicine research for HIV/AIDS, ranging from discovery research to clinical trials. Learn more about the HIV/AIDS research that CIRM is funding on our website.
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- Source: https://blog.cirm.ca.gov/2024/12/20/the-annual-timothy-ray-brown-community-cure-symposium/