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HIV college girl writes book to tap peers
By Liu Dan (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2006-01-13 11:45
At a special book-launching ceremony held on January 10 in Beijing's Ditan
Hospital, author Zhu Liya, an HIV-positive girl, gave out free copies of her new
book Diary of an AIDS Girl to college students, volunteers, and medical
staff in attendance.
Zhu Liya(L) shakes
hands with Pu Cunxin, a famous actor as well as a leading AIDS volunteer
in China at the book-launching ceremony on January 10, 2006. [Beijing
Youth Daily] |
Zhu Liya (alias), a college student, had a one-year love affair with a
foreign student in her university, which led to her HIV diagnosis one year
later.
However, far from wallowing in despair, Zhu has taken an active approach to
her predicament. First, she posted her experience on the Internet, calling for
young students to learn from her lesson. This had led to much heated and
fruitful discussion on HIV and AIDS issues.
"By writing of my own experience in this book, I hope more and more people
could know how to protect themselves from HIV and also how to cherish life," Zhu
said at the ceremony.
Also attending the ceremony were several officials and even Pu Cunxin, a
famous actor as well as a leading AIDS volunteer in China.
"Zhu learned a lesson from her own experience and she also wants to promote
people's AIDS awareness by writing Diary of an AIDS Girl. We should applaud her
for that", Pu said.
Liang Wannian, an official from the Beijing Health Bureau, said: "For HIV and
AIDS patients, eliminating public discrimination is more important than the
medical treatment, as they need more understanding and support from the society.
"Make Red Ribbon Home as your home in Beijing," said a Ditan Hospital
official to Zhu and other AIDS patients. Red Ribbon Home is a residence for HIV
and AIDS patients and is set up within the hospital.
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