Waning sun.
Quiet gloaming.
Ideal for reflection.

Each toll of the bell piercing the silence.
Each step through the labyrinth at the Ursuline Sisters ministry campus representing the decades-long journey in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Inside the campus - portions of the AIDS Memorial Quilt from Washington, DC.
It symbolizes the tragic losses while spurring resolve to continue the fight.
A fight that starts with treatment.

"Someone who is diagnosed at 20 years old and doesn't get into treatment has a life expectancy of 32 years," says Laura McCulty Stepp with the Ursuline Sisters. "But if they do get into treatment and stay in treatment, their life expectancy is 72 years."

But while the progress in treatments has been remarkable, the stigma of an HIV diagnosis remains just as vicious as the virus itself.

"I found out pretty quick and I became undetectable very quickly," says Shelley Turner, who because of her undetectable status can no longer transmit the virus after living with it for nearly 30 years.

She says HIV reporting laws don't line up with today's science, fueling the stigma while keeping many from seeking help.

"The law is saying that you have to tell everybody your HIVstatus no matter what," says Turner. "Any intimacy, even if you just kiss somebody, you have to tell them you're HIV positive."

Thursday's event looked to not only remember those lost but serve as a call to action.
A call Turner says can be answered with a simple conversation.

"Talking more about it. Everybody has sex, so let's just talk about how to stay safe and how to protect yourself," she said. 

A conversation that might just save a life.

If you or someone you know needs help accessing HIV/AIDS treatment or resources, visit the Ursuline Sisters ministry website.