Towson University senior Allie Reitz gives a presentation on World AIDS Day 2009
Towson University senior Allie Reitz is the change she wants to see in the world. Altruistic, bright, and beautiful, 25-year-old Allie is proving to the world that you can survive and thrive with HIV.
Reitz was diagnosed with the human immunodeficiency virus on October 23, 2002, at 8:45 a.m. She was 19 years old.
“I started to scream,” said Reitz. “When you’re a little girl, you have all of these big dreams, all of these big plans. And all of the sudden, that wasn’t happening anymore.”
Now, six years later, with the love and support of her family, friends, health care providers, and fellow advocates, Reitz is still chasing and living those big dreams.
When she was first diagnosed, Reitz saw an end rather than a beginning. But she’s learned that HIV isn’t a death sentence.
As Reitz prepares to celebrate her 26th birthday, she retains a strong sense of purpose and optimism. “I can have kids. I can have a boyfriend. I can be loved. And I can give love,” said Reitz. “HIV tried to take that away from me. But I’m not going to let it.”
Each day presents new challenges and Reitz must be vigilant and proactive when it comes to managing her HIV. But her will to fight and passion to spread awareness are helping her overcome these tribulations.
Reitz has channeled her own struggle and experience into a far-reaching life mission, becoming an advocate, a teacher and a friend to people living with HIV in the Baltimore area.
She works grassroots style for the JACQUES Initiative, a program of the University of Maryland School of Medicine Institute of Human Virology that provides HIV primary medical care, case management, transportation, HIV testing and referrals for people in Baltimore who are HIV positive.
Reitz is part of the JACQUES Initiative’s HIV Testing Project team, traveling to the emergency departments of three Baltimore City hospitals to administer HIV testing, education and counseling.
Her goal is to spark conversations and get people to think about HIV and AIDS and what it means to live well with HIV. She would like to inspire others to join her in spreading awareness, stopping stigma, and changing our current system of healthcare and attitudes so that we can all fight this pandemic from the ground-level up.
On December 1, 2009, in honor of the globally recognized World AIDS Day, Reitz traveled to Stevenson University in Owings Mills, Maryland, to share her story, talk about what it means to be HIV positive, and educate people about the risks, causes, and prevention of HIV.
Reitz’s message was filled with intense emotion and enthusiasm. Words of hope, courage, and passion to find a cure filled the room as Reitz captivated her audience. Several Towson University students made the short trip to Owings Mills to attend Reitz’s presentation.
Reitz’s message resonated with Towson University senior psychology major Allison Kreuzer. “I met Allie two years ago through a mutual friend and she continues to inspire me,” said Kreuzer. “The way Allie gave her presentation was perfect. I went away knowing how serious the disease is and what I can do to help and feeling hopeful about the future.”
During her presentation, Reitz disseminated general facts and figures about HIV and AIDS, interspersed with important information for college students. “18-26 year olds are the fastest-growing population of new HIV infections,” said Reitz. “Approximately 21% of people who are HIV-positive don’t know that they are infected, so they can be spreading HIV without even knowing it.”
Reitz emphasized the importance of getting tested for HIV every 6 months or once a year. At Towson University, free walk-in HIV testing is available in Dowell Health Center for all students on Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
“All students are encouraged to obtain HIV testing at some point, particularly if they are at higher risk. But CDC now recommends it be done as a basic component of primary care for individuals 13-64,” said Dr. Jane Halpern, Director of Dowell Health Center and Chief University Physician.
“My vision for the world is that one day, no one will even get AIDS,” said Reitz, reiterating her themes of teach, test, treat. “Knowledge is power if we use it.”
People who attended Reitz's presentation form a human red ribbon to promote HIV/AIDS awareness
