CULTURAL-HEARING-ASKING-TELLING (CHAT) Today (17th April, 2024) on the invitation of the @QUT Chaplaincy,attendedCultural-hearing-Asking-Telling (CHAT) session. CHAT is an initiative to help Australian children, young people and families from all backgrounds make the most of the vibrant Australian diversity, by gaining the skills and confidence to listen, engage and live well with people who are different to them. The chaplaincy invited me to share my unique story of rising above the challenges I experienced in my formative years to winning multiple scholarships to fund my studies and now working as a researcher. Despite losing my parents (mum and dad) at age 15 and 20, I acknowledged being a privileged orphan because I applied and got awarded multiple scholarships to fund my education from B.Sc to PhD. I also gave the students a glimpse into the work I do at @lifebloodau, an organisation that has been delivering one of the world’s safest supplies of blood and blood products for more than 90 years as well as world class research and expertise. Recalling how my mother needed blood transfusion as she battled HIV/AIDS, I invited the students to also consider being blood donors because: 🩸A new blood donor is needed every 4 minutes. 🩸One blood donation is needed every 18 seconds. 🩸 1 in 3 Aussies will need blood or blood products in their lifetime, only 1 in 30 donates. 🩸1 blood donation can save up to 3 lives. It was a humbling experience returning to QUT as an alumni to share my story, inspire current students and let them know that no matter what life throws at them, they can rise above it. I am proof. Losing my parents did not stop me. Rather it was the fuel I needed to contribute through my research and professional life to the HIV response. HIV thought it hit me hard, who is smiling now? Dr. AAP ofcourse.😀 #DrAAPTalks #ResearchAndDevelopment #HIVAndDisability #BloodDonation Tailor: @MaaziHashem Cap: Eggon Traditional cap
@AaronAkpuPhilip @QUT You are making yourself proud...you @AaronAkpuPhilip used your experience to imprint a transformative footprint in the your life and that of others. I love it