The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10 NKJV)
COVERED BY GOD
DALLAS — Tiffany Quinton is armed with a considerable amount of faith.
So much so that she steadfastly views her HIV positive diagnosis from a positive disposition — with God her Helper, steering the way.
Nearly 29 years removed since she acquired the virus that causes AIDS, Quinton, to her credit, has gone to great lengths to become am ambassador for bringing about awareness to a disease that is currently at its highest amongst African-Americans.
According to recent data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), despite progress made in curbing HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) nationwide, these improvements aren’t equal.
MORE ON QUINTON: https://www.marykay.com/tquinton
That’s because a new CDC report shows that disparities still persist among new HIV diagnoses, with Black Americans being diagnosed at a larger proportion than others, according to a February 2022 article by Very Well Health.
Also, the new data shows that Black Americans are diagnosed with HIV at a rate that’s about four times higher than rates for all other racial groups combined. Black adults accounted for 43% of the nation’s HIV diagnoses.
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Additionally, the CDC found that rates of new HIV diagnoses among Black adults were higher in communities with the highest social vulnerability index (SVI). Generally, this index uses census data to determine the potential negative effects on the health of communities that are caused by external factors and stressors, such as natural or human-induced disasters and disease outbreaks.
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Meanwhile, Quinton, a Houston-based ambassador and spokesperson for shedding light on the importance of battling the AIDS virus, emphasized, among other things, that Americans — especially the black community — should make it a point to become educated about this dreaded disease.
“Being diagnosed and contracting the disease has made me bring awareness to all that will hear what I have to say,” Quinton told Making Headline News this week. “And it helps me to be able to give back.”
Amongst the strategic ways in which Quinton is giving back is by educating the masses on HIV and AIDS, particularly with World AIDS Day looming in the coming weeks.
A day that is recognized annually on December 1, World AIDS Day is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, as well as show support for people living with HIV.
Generally, this day is set aside to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Established in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day, according to a detailed synopsis of this event at https://www.worldaidsday.org/about/.
WHEN GOD STEERS
Also, in further promoting the significance of conquering the AIDS virus, Quinton is using her platform to host what is known as the AIDS Walk, an event that is scheduled to take place on March 5, 2023, at Sam Houston Park in Downtown Houston.
Additional information about this event is forthcoming.
Interestingly enough, Quinton doesn’t shy away from the notion that her labor as it pertains to bringing awareness to HIV and AIDS is not in vain, given she has been blessed mightily to live a victorious life with this dreaded disease.
For 28-plus years and counting.
“After the shocking news (of contracting HIV), I asked God for two things: to let me live and let my baby be okay,” said Quinton, who serves as a lead counselor for Camp Hope, an empowerment assembly that is held in annually in July. “And He has done that, and I told Him if He let me live, I would do what he asked me to do.”
To her credit, coupled with the divine calling on her life, she’s doing just that, all the while enriching and impacting lives in the process.
“The reason I use the platform as a ministry is because I want others to see if I can still keep walking with my head high,” Quinton said. “And if I can save or help anyone from getting diagnosed, it’s all worth it. My support system is huge and I refer to them as my Sunshine Bunch, because when I walk in the room I bring the sunshine. I have HIV. It does not have me.”
Talk about demonstrating a considerable amount faith.
For more information about Houston Businesswoman Tiffany Quinton, connect with her via Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/tiffany.quinton1; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goteamtiffany/?hl=en.
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Andre Johnson is the award-winning Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist or Instagram at @makingheadlinenews.