The 24th biennial International AIDS Conference took place from the end of July into the beginning of August this year, and I was happy to have been able to attend. The first Montréal IAS (International AIDS Society) meeting was in 1989; since then, 79 million cumulative cases of HIV have been reported. This number represents an unimaginable number of lives lost or changed, and only reinforces the need for the continued exchange of information at conferences such as these.
This was my first international in-person conference and, incidentally, my first time out of the country as well. There was so much to try to absorb! I have to say that for me, one of the biggest takeaways was being renewed in hope and reminded that someone is always fighting for people living with HIV. With thousands of researchers, scientists, medical providers, bio-medical providers, advocates, and volunteers in attendance both in person and virtually, know that there are those who want you to thrive and live well.
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