Diagnosed with HIV and thrust into the scary and unknown world of AIDS, Lewis found herself fighting for her life and rights amidst a disease she never imagined would hijack her future.
Julie Lewis is a thirty-nine--year AIDS survivor, and mother to Grammy Award winning music producer, Ryan Lewis. She 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. Thirty years later, wanting to find a way to celebrate her incredible journey, and her passion for community health, she launched the 30/30 Project to positively impact the lives of other women, girls, and families who didn't have the same access to the healthcare opportunities that she's had. The five-year project has resulted in 30 healthcare facilities, built for 18 organizations in 9 countries, including the US and Puerto Rico. Julie has shared her story on CBS This Morning, Anderson Cooper and The Elvis Duran Show. Julie, a recipient of the Nelson Mandela Change-maker Award, has opened international conferences and been the keynote speaker at several events focused on healthcare, empowering women and uplifting communities whose voices need amplified.
