HIV, AIDS and HOPE

8 days to go.. Gott-AIDS-Afrika in English

Rev Fr Stefan Hippler — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:44:36 +0000

The book, originally published in the German language translated into English here on the blog. While the blog writer will be attending his duties “on sea” and working on a cruise-liner as the chaplain for 4 weeks, the reader here will have the chance to explore in February and March almost all chapters of the book in an English translation. Thanks to the person who has done the dedicated work of bringing German thoughts into an understandable English world of thoughts. Thoughts about the theology of AIDS, episodes of the life of patients and myself, encounters one cannot forget like the “last birthday” of the little Fareed, or “the silent death” of an employee to embarrassed about being HIV positive – small and big drama comes to life and shows the reality of HIV and AIDS in the context of my work as a priest and activist. I am very happy for every comment and feed back on this book, which changed my life quite dramatically.

Sangamo’s Possible ‘Functional Cure’ Gene Therapy

Rev Fr Stefan Hippler — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:57:35 +0000

AIDSmeds reports that Sangamo BioSciences has begun new clinical studies of its promising gene therapy SB-728-T, a potential “functional cure” for HIV infection, according to a January 9 announcement by the company. SB-728-T is a zinc finger DNA-binding protein transcription factor (ZFP TF). It disrupts the gene responsible for making CCR5 co-receptors on the surface of CD4 cells, to which HIV bonds. When CD4 cells can’t produce functional co-receptors, it is much harder for HIV to infect them. The aim of SB-728-T therapy is to grow a new population of CD4 cells that are resistant to HIV infection, and thus make antiretroviral (ARV) therapy unnecessary. The rationale for using SB-728-T comes from the case of Timothy Brown, an HIV-positive man with leukemia who received two stem cell transplants from a donor who inherited two mutated CCR5 genes (CCR5 delta32), from his father and mother, and was genetically unable to produce CD4 cells that carry functional CCR5 co-receptors. Such individuals rarely become infected with HIV. And in cases where only one mutated CCR5 gene is inherited, HIV infection can occur, but the disease tends to progress slowly. In Brown’s case, not only did the stem cell therapy cure his cancer, but it also appears to have cured his HIV infection. All efforts to locate HIV in the man’s body have been unsuccessful.

Sangamo is hoping that treating a person’s own stem cells with SB-728-T and then reinfusing them will, over time, replace HIV-susceptible cells with HIV-resistant CD4s and reduce the need for continuous antiretroviral therapy.

The whole story you find on AIDSmeds clicking the following link:

http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/sangamo_728_studies_1667_21752.shtml

Announcement: God AIDS Afrika in English

Rev Fr Stefan Hippler — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:09:37 +0000

Just a reminder:

From the 3rd of February 2012 the book “God, AIDS, Afrika” published in German language will be published on this blog chapter by chapter in English language. I was asked to do so many times and finally it will happen. I hope the publication will also trigger a debate about the role of churches in the fight against HIV and AIDS worldwide.

Stefan Hippler

Flights..

Rev Fr Stefan Hippler — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:59:55 +0000

Sometimes it is amazing how even flights can bring moments of upliftment and joy and reflection at the same time. On my flight back from Hamburg via Istanbul to Cape Town I watched a movie based on the real story of an japanese youngster, student of medicine, who was looking for that “extra kick” in life – studying, drinking and partying and some love in between seemed so shallow. One day he saw an advert “build a school in Vietnam” and without ever been to Vietnam he takes the challenge to raise quite an amount of money to do exactly this: building a school in one of the lost corners of Vietnam. The movie takes you through all the stages of such a journey: the excitement, the different characters of his fellow friends trying to assist, the ups and downs, his first travel to Vietnam, his first encounter with a woman who is HIV positive, the history of Cambodia with millions of killed – the first encounter with kids of the village the school is later build. Very emotional but real – a real journey of this young fellow which ends with the opening ceremony of the school. At the end one learns that for all four students, driving the project, it is life changing – one is even working now in Africa for an NGO.

For me the movie triggered lots of own memories the way HOPE Cape Town was developed, the hopes and joys, the ups and downs, the success and the failures along the way – but at the end, like in the movie, there stands a sentence I truly believe in: Going such a way, you will find people showing you real hope to live for a meaning in life. And can you ask for more?

3. Hamburger HIV – Strategic Forum

Rev Fr Stefan Hippler — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 15:19:58 +0000

Being part of a purely medical symposium is new to me – but it was an interesting one in Hamburg, which ended this afternoon. Besides my opening talk about the African way in the jungle of Westernized prevention and treatment strategies there were a range of exciting topics and so much to learn. G Stich from Wuerzburg shared his impression of the treatment work on the continent Africa while K Ochel reported from his experience in working in the fields of E-learning in China. A real eye opener and a complete change of attitude is happening in this huge country, from prevention work via methadone substitute for IV drug-users to treatment options. I realized that maybe we have to review our predictions and thinking regarding China in the fields of HIV and AIDS.
Church, politics and health systems: Is the pandemic under control was the question of a panel discussion I participated then and again: different views how far we have come, but there was nobody seriously thinking we have already reached the Rubicon.

Exciting news from research in the USA: D Ando reported on exciting studies to block the CCR5 receptor and D Margolis from trials to trigger the HIV reservoirs through HDAC Inhibition. And we learned in the context that there are some interesting developments regarding the Berlin patient. Is functional healing a vision was the overall question of this part of the forum.

The next chapter looked after side effects: Are they really as serious as they sometimes reported? Is there any difference between aging people living with or without HIV or another chronic disease? It seems not according to what I have heard… But I learned that a study about elderly female in Iowa showed that taking too much vitamin supplements actually triggers higher mortality – specially iron. Calcium seems to decrease the mortality rate. Interesting…

Role play about doctor – patient interactions and treatment strategies formed the final part of the forum and I have to admit that the atmosphere, the discussions, the way of giving information, the variety of topics made this strategic forum worth travelling all the way from Cape Town to Hamburg. Thanks also to MSD and the local organisers for making it possible for me to participate, to share my knowledge and to learn so much more.

And good to know that researchers and medics are interested in seeing the holistic picture and eyeing beyond the their own medical portfolio.

Job opening 2012

Rev Fr Stefan Hippler — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:11:12 +0000

HOPE Cape Town Trust Office Administrator (2012) HOPE Cape Town Trust, a local non-profit organisation providing together with the HOPE Cape Town Association outreach and education on HIV and AIDS in the Western Cape Province, seeks to appoint an Office administrator to oversee the day-to-day operations of the trust and to assist the Executive Committee and the Chair. The responsibilities of the position are broad, challenging and includes correspondence, research, drafting of proposals, management of financial accounts, organizing and recording meetings, organising travel arrangements, intake and acknowledgement of donations, finalizing visits, collating and disseminating information and program liaison to trustees, advisory board and the HOPE Cape Town Association staff as well the HOPE Kapstadt Stiftung (Germany). The Office Administrator supports and reports to the Chairpersons of HOPE Cape Town Trust. The successful applicant thrives in a creative and committed environment, enjoys and inspires people, has superior judgment, the ability to work independently and transparently, a great sense of humour and a deep interest in social development and health issues.

Office Administrator: Qualifications and Skills
• Education: Post-secondary (or equivalent extensive experience and training) • Bookkeeping and/or accounting training, numeracy skills and attention to detail
• Community Service background and fundraising experience
• Excellent interpersonal skills, diplomatic and discrete; at ease with people of different social and economic backgrounds
• Superior Communication Skills, able to conduct independent research, draft correspondence, prepare funding proposals and reports
• Team player skills and the ability to work independently
• Demonstrated ability to multitask and organize, take initiative and delegate
• Advanced computer skills including software programs (Microsoft Office Suite) and spreadsheets
• Fluency in English (read, write and speak) &Afrikaans is desirable; German would be a plus
• Drivers licence, independent transport, no criminal record
• Work permit (if not SA resident)
• Successful completion of UNISA HIV and AIDS Counselling Course (training provided by HOPE Cape Town)
Applications should include a covering letter speaking to each of the identified qualifications and skills, a current CV and a minimum of two references. Complete applications may be forwarded by email to trust@hopecapetown.com or by mail to HOPE Cape Town Trust Attn. Stefan Hippler P.O. Box 15113, Vlaeberg 8018 South Africa.

Preparation for Hamburg…

Rev Fr Stefan Hippler — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 18:07:12 +0000

“The African way? Looking after traces in the jungle of Westernized strategies of prevention and treatment”.
This is the title of the opening talk I have to deliver coming Friday in Hamburg for the 3rd Hamburg Strategic Forum on HIV. And it is a tough one for me, then except me the participants are all connected to the medical field, be it as doctors, researchers or in the pharmaceutical field. What do they expect from me as a priest? O Lord, such a challenge can make one nervous, makes me nervous. On the other hand I love to be challenged and I am looking forward to meet new people and learn new information about the pandemic and the challenges in Germany.

So I am still contemplating and fine tuning the talk while there is enough time to do so. Thursday the plane will bring me via Istanbul to Hamburg for the two days of the gathering. I am awaiting this Forum with quite some anticipation and hope, the traces of African ways, I have found and tracked down in the last days might help to understand the African situation and further the cooperation between Germany and South Africa.

The gathering also includes a discussion about church, politics and the health systems in certain countries – I find it remarkable and exciting to include those questions and to make clear, that turning around the tide of HIV and AIDS requires all quarters of society – it is much more than a medical problem.

New year…

Rev Fr Stefan Hippler — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 02:45:39 +0000

A new year has begun and most of the new resolutions will take their usual way of being forgotten within weeks.
I have been asked since a long time whether it would be possible to read the book “Gott-AIDS-Afrika” in the English language.I have read out of the book in many places, among others churches, bibliotheque’s, the German Parliament, the Bavarian Parliament, the representation of Rhineland-Palatinate in Berlin and bookshops in Germany and Austria – and there was a period of time where I was not able to do so… Two exemplars of the book went to Rome, one was sent to Pope Benedikt XVI ( and yes, we got a receipt) and the other I handed to a Polish Prelate while in Rome with the promise to pass it on…. But as I live in South Africa, there was also quiet an interest into the contents of the book.
I always promised to make an English copy available but never had the time to think of how I want to do it. After being translated into English, the manuscript was laying on my desk for almost a year. There was always something more important to do. But now I have decided to publish most of the book in an English translation here on the blog: “God – AIDS – Africa” – you can read chapters of the book from the 1.February 2012 – every second days a new chapter will be published. I decided against publishing it as an E-book – there is no need to earn money on it, the purpose of the book was always to stimulate a discussion within the church about the moral teaching of my church and the challenges HIV and AIDS poses to this teaching. The book tells stories I have encountered, questions I have asked myself and those who are in charge of our teaching.
B.Grill, my co-author has added his voice and experience as well. I am looking forward to responses and dialogue – this is what the book intended to stipulate. And once again just for the records: I am happy within my church, which is and remains a community of saints and sinners. But we will only develop our theology and we will only be able to give the right answers to the questions of today when we ask the right questions ourself, when we debate, when we compare the teaching with our daily experience and check on it. For institutions which proclaim they have parts of the truth already within their teaching, it can be hard to allow such questions. But I am sure that God and his reality is so much more than what we know so far and all critical questions are part of learning more of this reality.
Well, with that, one resolution of the old year 2010 will come into practice in 2012. Better late then never. And who wants to read it in the original German version – amazon.de or amazon.com should have the hardcover as well as the paperback still on offer.

At the end of the year…

Rev Fr Stefan Hippler — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:31:48 +0000

there is only one thing to say: Thank you very much all supporters and sponsors of HOPE Cape Town, but also thank you to the great staff of HOPE Cape Town, dedicated working day-to-day in the townships in and around Cape Town. It is indeed a privilege to be connected to so many dedicated people in Cape Town, South Africa and around the world, who want to change the lives of those affected and effected by HIV and AIDS. Gratefully looking back on 2011 I hope and wish that with your help, 2012 will be anew a year full of blessings for our work.