From Death Sentence to Legacy: HIV and End-of-Life Care – Part 2

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In Part 2 of this two-part conversation on Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli continues her discussion with Vince Crisostomo, longtime HIV/AIDS activist and Director of Aging Services at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. 

During the episode, Traci and Vince talk about the grief of surviving, the essential role of chosen family, and the emotional labor of holding space for a generation that is aging, and often dying, without the support they need. Vince speaks openly about what dignity looks like at the end of life, the quiet grief carried by long-term survivors, and the ongoing fight against stigma. 

Together, they discuss: 

• How grief changes when you’re the one left behind 
• The erasure of HIV in mainstream end-of-life conversations 
• What systems need to do better for those aging with HIV 
• The healing power of community, memory, and being witnessed 

This episode is not only about HIV, but also about how we show up for each other at the end. It’s a call to honor the full humanity of those who’ve lived through the epidemic, and to ensure they don’t die unseen. 

Links/Resources 

• Guest Website: San Francisco AIDS Foundation – https://www.sfaf.org 
• Host Website – https://www.comfortingclosure.com 

 
 If this conversation moved you, please like, share, and subscribe. These are the stories that don’t get told and your voice helps carry them further. For questions or to connect, visit https://www.comfortingclosure.com.