Posted on November 03, 2014
My name is Jennifer, and I’m a Master’s degree student in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology in the School of Public Health. I joined Generation Tomorrow because I’ve seen that communication with the public about important health issues is severely lacking across the U.S., especially in the populations that would benefit most. Being involved with Generation Tomorrow gives me the opportunity to change this within the Baltimore community, which is highly impacted by both HIV and HCV. I will work with the Johns Hopkins Emergency Department to help them set up and implement an HCV testing and linkage-to-care program.
During our HCV training, we realized the ordeal that patients endure, due to the actual disease but also to treatment. We learned the importance of a support system for HCV patients. This resonated with me, because one of my relatives has chronic Hepatitis C related to drug use, and when I think about it now, I never witnessed a solid support system for her as I was growing up. Many relatives judged her and avoided her, which indicated that she shouldn’t be associated with because of her history. Realizing how she may have been reaching out for help and support with nobody to provide it breaks my heart. I’m acutely aware now of how much she needs a support system and how I can help, and I owe that to Generation Tomorrow. I’m currently in the process of reaching out to her, and hope that it isn’t too late to make a difference.
Generation Tomorrow operates in Baltimore, but with members from around the world, its effects will be felt globally. Everyone brings something unique to the table, and I’m so happy to be moving forward as part of this organization.