Dare to Care – Cindy HIVenture -Tour de life AIDS awareness

Written by Nanima on June 6, 2013 in Charity

In 2004, Cindy Pivacic received devastating news – she was HIV positive. It took her 6 years to go public with her status as she explains: “I perceived, like the rest of the world, that there is a stigma attached to the virus. By coming forward, I found the most amazing support from family, friends and even strangers.”

Cindy’s decision to go public with her status was prompted by her own experience with the disease. After acquiring numerous illnesses associated with HIV/AIDS, Cindy realised that she would not cope without the help of others.

Cindy now spends her time spreading her message of hope through counselling, speaking engagements and activism. Cindy believes that through her work, she has been able to help many people accept their HIV status and not view it as a death sentence.

While there have been improvements in acceptance of people living with the disease, stigma and misinformation still remain a challenge. According to Cindy: “Many people still have blinkers on and adopt an attitude of ‘it can’t happen to me’. Others are afraid to speak out about their struggles with the disease.”

Cindy intends to continue her work in order to challenge these beliefs, “I consider this my purpose and reason for being alive after the near death experiences that I have survived. Someone needs to create awareness and I have chosen to do so.”

Her future plans include a trip around the country entitled “HIVenture – Tour de Life” during which she will be speaking and creating awareness around HIV / AIDS.

By doing this she hopes the nation will stand up, take notice and be proactive in preventing further infections and inspire others to “Dare to Care!”

more info – youcanhelp

If you would like to help:

Cindy Pivacic

email: cindy@cindypivacic.co.za

web: www.cindypivacic.co.za

visit for this and other inspiring South African stories – www.youcanhelp.co.za