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Tom: This
is just a short note to let you know the response to get
tested for HIV was off the charts after your visit at
Lock Haven University. Our HIV test date was only four
days after your speech and the testing site was so overwhelmed
that they ran out of test kits and had to turn people
away with a pamphlet to show them other places they could
get tested. The response was more than double the previous
year and we ran out of test kits early in the afternoon.
We could have probably tested four times the number we
did last year. I think there is a very high correlation
between your visit and the numbers we are seeing here
at the testing site. So in that sense I believe your message
hit home with the sutdnt body.
- Max McGee, Director of LHU Wellness Center, Lock Haven
University, Lock Haven, PA (4/04/2005) |
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I think Tom Donahue is doing something
great with this program. He said that he was going to
force us to think about things that we've never thought
about before and he did it with me. Until his presentation
here at American University, I've never met someone who
was HIV positive. I knew the basic biological-scientific
facts of HIV/AIDS, but I never thought about what it meant
to have to live with it. It was enough to have to go through
the coming out process, but to have to deal with this
is a tremendous undertaking. I applaud Tom for his heroic
efforts and I applaud his program for bringing HIV to
the front lines of sexual education. I hope Tom continues
this program because not enough is being done to discuss
the problems of HIV. Thank you for coming to American
University. - American University, Washington, DC (3/22/2005) |
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Hello, my name is Robyn and I was at
your presentation tonight (at American University). I
just wanted to let you know that I enjoyed Who's Positive.
I also wanted to tell you that when I left, I went to
a friend's room and told them about Who's Positive and
about your story. The girl I talked to was shocked that
you got tested randomly with no symptoms at the age of
23 and tested positive. She said that it really made her
think twice. Just wanted to let you know that you ended
your presentation at 10 pm and by 11 pm it had already
affected others' lives through word of mouth. Thanks for
sharing your story.
- Robyn, American University, Washington, DC (3/21/2005) |
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I am not sure if I have ever been exposed
so such a moving and important presentation in the 20
years of my life. You could not have had a better presentation...
You have made me more aware of the huge risk that comes
with one moment of "passion, intimacy, and irresponsibility"
(very powerful each time you repeated it) and the many
decisions and lives that can/will be affected by that
simple decision... I will never forget your emotional
stories and I hope you continue to make an everlasting
impact on the lives of many others the way you did on
mine. - Mark Bezilla, PSU - University Park (2/8/2005) |
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During your presentation you where always
consistent, dedicated and passionate, enthusiastic, and
sincere. Your passion for making an impact in others shines
as you open your heart to your audience. You are a light
that shines in a seemingly dark world, and your light
has made a profound impact on me and this campus. -
Jeff Christman, PSU - Beaver (2/5/2005) |
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We're always under the impression
that we are invincible and Tom made us open our eyes to
see that things like HIV can happen to anyone. His presentation
made me stop and think about the real life decisions that
come with taking the risk of unprotected sex. I can't
imagine having to tell my parents, my friends, my employers
that I had contracted HIV. I am astounded by Tom's strength
in the situation he is in. Thank you for sharing your
story with us and I hope it touches other people the way
it touched me. |
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I thought the program was
amazing right from the start. The only way to really understand
the impact that HIV will have on your life is not by reading
a textbook but by learning from real people who are willing
to share their experiences with you. It takes a very strong
person to admit to random people that they are HIV positive.
Tom is a wonderful speaker |
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As frightening as what I'm
about to say it, it's honest... I had forgotten about
HIV. Like someone in my class said today, it is an epidemic
that I think of as so far from my everyday life and my
environment that I had very nearly forgotten it. So thank
you... for re-educating me and for pinching me back into
reality. And to Tom, directly: This is one of the most
courageous fights I've ever witnessed/heard of. It takes
a strong person to stand in front of masses of people
and admit that you are afflicted with a disease that most
Americans consider a sign of weakness and an 'unmentionable
lifestyle.' So congratulations, for having such will,
for being honest, and for being fearless. I wish you all
the best, and you can be assured that you have made a
definitive mark on my life. |
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I attended at Penn State
Mont Alto. Your statement was very powerful. I appreciate
your courage to speak out. I know what it is like to make
careless decisions. Why is it that we can bare ourselves
physically, which to me is the most vulneable state, yet
hestitate to ask someone to apply a condom? I think you
need to take your message to high schools and even elementary
grades. Your message should focus more on having unprotected
sex rather than that you are gay. The card idea is wonderful.
I wanted so much to peek ahead of time! And I actually
felt relieved that it was negative but then I realized
how many people have the virus and aren't testing positive
yet. Please make safe sex a bigger part of your message.
Thanks again for sharing. |
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The entire week I watched
videos, listened to speakers, and viewed artwork describing
the impact of HIV/AIDS on the local and global community.
This is the only event that influenced my on an individual
level. I left with a heavy feeling, impactful feeling
in my heart. Thank you, Tom. Thank you. |
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Tom's message was more powerful
than any notes we could have taken or movies we could
have watched in class. Seeing him stand before us and
tell his story made everything about HIV so much more
REAL. Talking to a partner about the risk of HIV is something
I will take more seriously now and I wish my friends who
are sexually active could have heard Tom speak today.
It could not have been easy to talk about such a difficult
and personal experience with us and I appreciate the fact
that he did. Thank you and best wishes, Tom. |
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I am more aware now of the
dangers of not being tested. I didn't think I was at risk
for HIV, but now I want to be tested to be sure. |
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I really thought that the
card with the results was an effective way of getting
the attention of the audience. It really makes you think!
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This program was impactful
and I think it should be done with organizations all over
campus |
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I think it shows a lot of
strength and courage on Tom's part that he is able to
share what he is going through. His presentation made
me more aware of my actions and the consequences of those
actions, it also made me want to go out and get tested,
just to be sure |
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I thought the sequence of
events during the presentation (handing out the cards
in the beginning and not viewing them until the end) was
very effective in relating the audience to the speaker,
and in turn made the entire presentation extremely effective.
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Tom....I never get tired
of hearing your story. Time and time again, I am reminded
why I work where I do. So that I can meet wonderful friends...like
you! Thank you for having the courage to share your story
and strength with us. |
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TOM WAS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST. MORE
PEOPLY NEED TO SEE HIM. |
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I think it is important
for college students to know that they too can get HIV
and that they need to protect themselves. It was good
that you told your story since I'm sure many other students
have the same sexual outlook that you had. |
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Tom was an excellent speaker.
He has such a powerful message and a powerful voice. I
know that as he continues his presentations that he will
touch many lives as he did mine. I have so much respect
and gratification towards him for how he can step out
and speak of his experience to try and help others who
still have a chance to avoid it. Thank you!! |
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This has really made me
look at my own life! |
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Your story was very touching.
I'm sure it impacted everyone sitting in the audience.
It makes you question your own behaviors and reevaluate
what is important in your life. |
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I think the program is great
as it is. Keep up the great work, it takes a lot of courage
to speak out like you do!!! Thank you for your willingness
to share your story. Penn State Mont Alto Student |
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I felt that it was very good
but I think I might have wanted to see a little more on
the effects of what he has learned. |
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Tom's presentation was phenomenal.
I have never been so riveted by a person's personal story
in all of my life. Even though I have been tested for
HIV in the past, and tested negative, I still feel overwhelmingly
compelled to get my follow-up test, and I want to tell
everyone I know that they should be tested and that they
should take precautions in their own lives. HIV is a serious
disease, but its spread CAN be stopped. Even if the message
is spread by just one person at a time, with programs
like Tom's, the word can and must get out that we can
beat this problem. |
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I really enjoyed your program
because unlike other programs I've seen you did not just
stand up there and state facts and give numbers. By telling
your own personal story I feel you touched everyone on
a deeper level. Even though aids has never had an effect
on me personally your program still seemed to hit home
in some way. |