Transitions: The Rights. Respect. Responsibility.^® Campaign
Volume 14, No. 1, October 2001

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By Melissa Kay Palank, Community Co-Chair, Minnesota Community Planning Group

How did I get here? When did my crusade begin? Over two decades ago during open-heart surgery, my grandfather, John Greavu, received a blood transfusion tainted with HIV. My personal battle began in 1990, when my family thought it would be appropriate for me to learn the news. My grandfather was my inspiration and everything I wanted to be. It was devastating to watch him fight something that I did not comprehend. Instead of remaining in the dark, I decided to educate myself. Because I did not want any one else to go through what my family and I had faced, I became one of the youngest HIV/AIDS educators in the nation. I took my grandfather's story and information about the disease to others in need of education, encouragement, and support. I felt that, for every person I talked with, I could be saving one more life.

Right before my grandfather died in January 1995, I promised him I would always fight for him and the many others affected by this disease. I found that education was a cure for the ignorance surrounding HIV/AIDS. As I grew older, although I continued educating others, I felt I could accomplish more. Beginning my college career and pursuing a degree in political science, I decided to look into the public policy aspect of HIV/AIDS and volunteered with the public policy division of the Minnesota AIDS Project.

During this period of time, I also joined the Youth Advisory Council to the Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner's Task Force on HIV/STD Prevention and Planning (MN Community Planning Group) and worked on various planning and public policy issues. We wanted to reflect what the epidemiological data showed (that the disease was infecting youth in our state), and we were proud to have a voice in community planning. In 1998, the theme of World AIDS Day was "Youth, a Force for Change" and the members of the Youth Council proved this statement true. Not only have they earned the respect of the Community Planning Group members, but the Youth Advisory Council successfully changed meeting times so youth could attend meetings and be heard. In addition, the Youth Council members presented workshops at numerous conferences and assisted various Minnesota government departments with research about youth and HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The Youth Advisory Council assembled a Youth Summit at the state capitol and created STD Extravaganza to educate at-risk communities about STDs and testing.

After four years of community planning, I needed a new role. So, I ran for Community Co-Chair for the MN Community Planning Group and was elected in the spring of 2001. Being the youngest Community Co-Chair in the state and probably the nation is important to ensure that the voice of youth is not lost. This disease has been with my generation from the beginning and, sadly, may be with us our whole lives. To ensure victory, the voice of youth needs to be continuously heard, and my duty is to make this possible.

As I begin this new course, I always keep in mind what we are fighting for and remember all of those who have fought and who have died. I keep alive the memory of my grandfather and others, because they fought the most important battle of all; they fought for their own lives and for the lives of others. My motivation also comes from the words of Margaret Meade." Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world: indeed, it is the only thing that ever has!"

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Transitions (ISSN 1097-1254) © 2001, is a quarterly publication of Advocates for Youth—Helping young people make safe and responsible decisions about sex. For permission to reprint, contact Transitions' editor at 202.419.3420.

Editor: Sue Alford