gloria searson – a positive outlook
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photo by steed media service
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Advocacy Relations Manager, Abbott Laboratories
When Gloria Searson was diagnosed with HIV in the early ‘90s, she
chose to remain optimistic in light of her diagnosis. Fast forward more
than 15 years and the Brooklyn, N.Y., native is now doing her part to
keep others just as positive as she is. As the advocacy relations
manager for Abbott Laboratories, Searson is charged with helping
increase HIV awareness in African American and Latino communities
throughout the Manhattan area. Abbott, which manufactures the
HIV-fighting drug Kaletra, has teamed up with the Magic Johnson
Foundation to launch the “I Stand With Magic” campaign.
“The goal is to try to get more people aware of how HIV is
contracted and to put them in a place where they can get screened. This
doesn’t have to be a death sentence, but on the flip side, HIV is
also 100 percent preventable,” she explains. Season admits,
however, that sometimes her efforts fall on deaf ears. “HIV is
not necessarily something that’s anybody’s issue and even
if they have it, they’re not trying to go somewhere and tell
somebody that,” she says. “So what we’re trying to do
is show people that it is personal because it’s impacting our
community and preventing us from having a potential future.”
Until then, the resilient advocate will continue to help spread the
word. “What does matter is that I help my brothers and sisters
[because] they deserve the chance to live a healthy life.” –ivory m. jones
Join Searson and Magic Johnson in Harlem on World AIDS Day on Dec. 1.
For more information, visit www.istandwithmagic.com.
