We Aged Into This Fight. We Are Not Leaving.
Posted: September 16, 2026
A Call to Re-Engage, Lead and Grow Together
By Von Biggs
National HIV & Aging Advocacy Network (NHAAN)
“We Aged Into This Fight. We Are Not Leaving.”
I came up with those words for our NHAAN T-shirt fundraiser, but the more I sat with them, the more I realized they were bigger than a slogan. They reflect our history, our determination and the message I believe we need to stand behind as an organization.
Many of us lived through the earliest years of the HIV epidemic. We witnessed tremendous loss, celebrated life-saving breakthroughs and fought for access to treatment, dignity and the opportunity to grow older. We earned the chance to age with HIV, and now we have an opportunity to make sure the voices of people aging with HIV continue to shape what comes next.
Viral suppression remains one of the greatest achievements in HIV care, but living longer has changed the conversation. Aging with HIV also means thinking about housing, mental health, Medicare, caregiving, long-term care, social connection and quality of life. It means making sure people with lived experience are present wherever decisions are being made.
That is exactly what I see happening throughout NHAAN.
Our members serve on Ryan White Planning Councils, statewide planning bodies, advisory committees and community organizations across the country. They present at conferences, participate in AIDSWatch, educate providers and help influence policies that affect people aging with HIV every day.
We see that leadership in members like Wanda Brendle-Moss, or as many of us affectionately say, “All hail the Queen.” Through her service as Co-Chair, Secretary and USCHA Track Organizer, she continues to demonstrate what commitment looks like. Bobby Avalos is also helping strengthen our organization through his role as Interim Vice Chair of NHAAN’s LGBTQIA+ Committee while serving on the USCHA Host Planning Committee. These are only two examples. Every month, members across NHAAN quietly give their time, energy and expertise because they believe in this work.
I have been thinking a lot lately about what NHAAN has meant to me.
If it were not for NHAAN and the NMAC 50+ Strong & Healthy Cohort, I honestly do not believe I would be advocating today beyond my local community. These organizations did more than teach me about advocacy. They helped me recognize opportunities I never thought belonged to me. They encouraged me to say yes when I was unsure, connected me with incredible leaders and gave me the confidence to find my own voice. The empowerment I found through this network has gone far beyond anything I expected, and for that I will always be grateful.
One thing I have learned is that organizations do not become stronger simply because they have more members. They become stronger because more members become involved.
NHAAN is filled with talented, passionate people who bring decades of lived experience to the table. Imagine what we could accomplish if even more of us attended meetings, joined committees, shared our expertise and stepped into leadership opportunities. Every voice matters. Every perspective adds value. Every member has something to contribute.
We often say NHAAN is a family, and I believe that. Families support one another, celebrate one another and help each other grow. They also challenge one another to become better. That is my hope for NHAAN. Let us continue growing our membership, developing leaders, mentoring those who are just beginning their advocacy journey and making sure the people coming behind us are prepared to carry this work forward.
If you have been thinking about joining a committee, do it. If you have missed a few meetings, come back. If you have never spoken up, share your perspective. If you have wondered whether your experience matters, I promise you that it does.
We Aged Into This Fight. We Are Not Leaving.
I wrote those words for a T-shirt, but I believe they should represent more than a fundraiser. They should reflect how we show up, how we lead and how we make room for the people who will continue this work after us.
I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting, and I hope you will bring someone with you.