757: Julie Lewis and Jenny Koenig: Mothering as a 38 Year Aids Survivor

May 17, 2023

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Julie Lewis, a 38-year AIDS survivor, was infected with HIV in 1984 but not diagnosed until the early 1990s when she was given three to five years to live. After years of silence about her disease, she found an unlikely community of friends to fight alongside and began using her story to make a difference. Her experiences as a woman living with AIDS offers insights about grief and loss, caregiving, spirituality and the importance of community in the midst of tragedy.

In 2020, Julie completed her 30/30 Project in celebration of her 30 years of living with AIDS. This resulted in 30 new healthcare facilities serving women, girls, and families in 9 countries. These facilities have allowed for over 715,000 patient visits, 127,000 HIV tests, and the safe delivery of over 9,000 babies.

Jenny Koenig is a writer and Grammy Nominated Music Video Producer. She’s passionate about channeling her creativity into ways to raise money for nonprofits, including the 30/30 Project. She was a co-creator and Executive Producer for All in WA: A Concert for COVID Relief, which raised over $110 million for COVID related causes. She’s learning how to juggle life as a new mom to her 6 month old daughter. Jenny is a longtime friend of Julie Lewis and jumped at the chance to help her tell her story.

Listen in to hear Julie and Jenny share:

What it was like to receive her HIV diagnosis as a mom of a 2, 4, and 6 year old - and be given only 3-5 years to live
Her decision to tell her 6 year old, Ryan, about her HIV status - knowing full well that he would not be able to keep the family secret
How Ryan shared Julie’s status and broke the seal on “going public” with her status
What it was like to feel like she was parenting on borrowed time
The moment when she realized she had lived to see all the things she thought she would never get to experience
The reality of Julie’s survivor guilt as she has outlived so many friends from the AIDS community
The African women and moms who inspired her 30/30 Project to build 30 hospitals for 18 organizations across 9 countries
The sweet, unlikely, and incredibly special friendship of Julie and Jenny (Julie’s daughter’s college roommate)

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