Top HIV Researchers to Address Providers and Community at Nation S First HIV Controller

First HIV Controller Symposium to be Held in San Francisco

Five of the nation’s leading HIV researchers raise the question “What can we learn from the small population of people who can control HIV without medications?” and offer some initial findings. Presenters will discuss what psychosocial issues impact immune functioning and resilience with HIV.

San Francisco, CA. October 13, 2009 -- Shanti and the Zephyr Foundation host ”Unlocking the Mysteries of the HIV Controller” from 8:30-4:00pm at 347 Dolores Street. The Symposium is the first one to be held in the United States and attendance is free and open to HIV providers and community members. The initial findings will provide researchers with information that will provide a deeper understand of how HIV can be controlled by the immune system.

HIV Controllers have the extremely rare ability to keep the HIV virus under control without taking HIV medications. Researchers estimate there may be 3000 controllers in the entire world. Currently, a number of researchers are studying the immune functioning of HIV Controllers, in hopes of developing new ways to treat or prevent HIV in the general population.

“We are proud to bring together the community, the providers, and some of the greatest minds in HIV research in one room,” said Clayton Robbins, Director of Program Development at the Shanti L.I.F.E. Institute, “and hope the connections made at this event will bring researchers one step closer to effectively treating and preventing HIV.”

At ”Unlocking the Mysteries of the HIV Controller,” attendees will be able to meet and converse with the nation’s top researchers of HIV Controllers. In the afternoon, staff from the Shanti L.I.F.E. Institute will present data on what psychological and social issues may impact the body’s ability to fight cancer, HIV, and illness associated with aging. And participants from Shanti’s L.I.F.E. Program® will share their personal experiences with health-enhancement and surviving with HIV.

Seating for the symposium is limited and participants must register online at www.shanti.org/life.

About Shanti and the Shanti L.I.F.E. Institute:

Founded in 1974, Shanti has been at the forefront of a growing national movement to enhance the quality of life for persons living with long-term or life-threatening illnesses by providing volunteer-based emotional and practical support, and national training on the Shanti Model of Peer Support. The Shanti L.I.F.E. Institute provides curriculum development, training, technical assistance, and outcomes evaluation to assist agencies and health departments across the country in offering effective health enhancement programming in their communities. The L.I.F.E. Program® is a health enhancement and wellness counseling intervention that integrates illness prevention, treatment, and medication adherence interventions into an effective 12 or 16 week program.

Contact:

Phil Bokovoy, director of development Shanti 415-674-4717 www.shanti.org/life