I am an 81-year-old white, gay male who first tested HIV-positive in January 1993. My initial instinct was to get involved in the scientific work to defeat this virus by volunteering for trials at the NIH [National Institutes of Health]. Over the course of 15 years I was a participant in 10 studies, mainly phase 1 drug trials. In one trial, I was one of the first two humans to receive the drug after testing in non-human primates! My rationale then was, as it is now—if not me, then who?”

ACTIVELY INVOLVEMENT: RICHARD STRANGE