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Who's Positive
 

Testimony

To submit your feedback on a program you have seen you can do so electronically with out being identified please do so here

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)
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)

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)

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)

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)

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

This program was impactful and I think it should be done with organizations all over campus

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

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.

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.

TOM WAS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST.MORE PEOPLY NEED TO SEE HIM.

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.

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!!

This has really made me look at my own life!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.




 
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