HIV/AIDS LONG-TERM SURVIVOR * YOUTH EDUCATION * ADVOCACY * ACTIVISM * RESOURCES
Bob Bowers is a passionate activist and educator. As someone who has lived with AIDS for over 40 years, Bob is not just a survivor. He works passionately to fight complacency and improve the lives of those around him. His commitment to teaching young people about the importance of healthy choices in their lives, and his advocacy of quality health care for those living with AIDS, are just two examples of his numerous good works."
--- United States Senator Tammy Baldwin-Washington D.C.
I was one of the 300 kids sitting at the Hyatt in Irvine last Sunday listening to you. If you had even half the effect on all the others as you had on me, then your message was very well received. I just want to thank you for giving your life to teach others...and to help us make the decisions that will allow us to be safe, strong, and healthy. You took the negative and turned it to be a complete positive. That takes strength and courage Both of which I don't think I'd ever have.
Well, I'm sure you get a lot of these e-mails...so I guess I'll stop now.
Thank you for sharing you life with me.
Michele M.
Hi Bob!
This is Tracy Hegg from the Milwaukee Academy. I just wanted to thank you for speaking to our girls! They talked a lot about you when you left...maybe your ears were ringing. I explained to them the hopes that you have of helping to "save" all of them, not just one of them. They all loved you and made a commitment to honor your requests. I can only pray that this is truth. I hope that life will be kind enough to bring you back to our part of the world again.
Thank you.
Tracy and the girls
Kindness, compassion and love for each other is the greatest gift we can give each other. A great teacher, and friend has taught me that...!
Namaste,
Pam
You have to be one of the most amazing men. This just shows people that you can't tell from the outside someone is living with AIDS. Protect yourself and others. I love how open and honest you are about your life. And how AIDS hasn't made you lay down and die.
~ Bren
There is no one I know so brave, courageous, inspiring, loving and giving as you, Bob. Thank you for your words, friendship and website. You mean very much to me.
Thank you,
~Nicolle
I just wanted to tell you that your site brought both tears to my eyes, chills to my skin, and peace to my heart. I have not been directly affected by AIDS on a personal level, however, being a nurse my final goal is to be involved in the fight for research and a cure. I never look at peoples website, but something told me to check yours out. I have been directly affected by cancer several times which is another type of research I'd like to do, but I feel like the Lord is pushing me to work with HIV/AIDS patients and I'm not really sure why. And I love your saying Compassion is our cure.... b/c it is the truth in this world through and through. I just really wanted to say I think it's awesome what you are doing, and I wish more people would be on the proactive side of this fight. Erin
I was up late last nite and I watched your special (The Fire Within) with you and your wife, she was doing the road bike through California. I think you two are amazing people, I wanted to thank you for helping me. To look at my life completely differently. then the poor me I got sick. I don't have HIV but I have enough other shit I just cried watching you throw up and throw up from medicine and your attitude amazed me. I take more pills than any normal person could stand. and I decided to live more like you I can win this fight for life. Bob you should do more specials and if there are more out there, please direct them to me. You should write a book too; you might already have one I think you impact people more than you realize. Thank you, God be with you. You are in my prayers forever.
Malinda
When we were told Bob was coming to speak to us I was expecting the usual talk, dry, boring and with scary pictures, yippee. To my pleasant surprise, I was wrong. Bob was nothing even close to boring; he was one of the best speakers I have ever heard in my entire life. He was such an inspirational person to both my classmates and me. It was truly amazing to hear his story and listen to him talk about his life. Bob wasn't sad or depressed, or at least he didn't show it., he believed that he almost got HIV for a purpose to spread the news to young people like me and help stop HIV/AIDS. For 22 years, Bob has been living with HIV, and if he can do that, I think his message will enable people to make smarter decisions.
Cali S.
You are a very great speaker. Mr. Bowers, you are a very wonderful, helpful and educated person and you made it even better because you know exactly what you were talking about because you have experienced it. You have made an impact on so many people's lives and on mine too. You are a hero to many people and you are a hero to me. I hope you keep speaking around the world and helping people with HIV/AIDS because they need you. Thank you for taking the time to talk to our class.
Good luck!
Sincerely, Mckenzie S.
7th Grade-Marshall Middle School
Bob,
The Sycamores Community School students and staff would like to extend our warmest thanks to you for coming and sharing your story with us. As a staff here for the past five years I have seen only a small handful of speakers who the students have listened to so intently (i could count them on one hand). And all of us staff who were present were so very moved as well. I even had the teacher from our youngest classroom give me a hard time for not including his students. He heard such great things about you that he was sorry his students didn't have the opportunity to sit in as well. Thanks sooooooooooooooo much for sharing of yourself-your time, your experiences, your life, your lessons learned, so that we may have a chance of making a better or more informed choice. I truly believe what you are doing is having an impact. I know because I saw it happen here. Our thoughts and well wishes are with you and your foundation's mission.
Love,
Carlyn Lambert-Oropez
Hey Bob,
First off, I wanted to thank you for coming to our class on Tuesday. You did a damn fine job. Through watching The Fire Within and talking to you, I want you to know that your efforts are certainly not in vain. I embraced much knowledge from your video and appearance. and when speaking to my classmates, I know they did as well. I now have a far more stable foundation on the topic of AIDS/HIV. It is very brave of you to be as active and outgoing about such a social taboo, but thankfully you are doing a fantastic job of breaking barriers and clearing the fog about AIDS. I credit you for your sincere compassion for those you meet, and I wish you the same in return.
See you around,
~ Kyle
What a compassionate human being Bob Bowers is. There wasn't one person in that room Saturday night that wasn't moved by what Bob had to say. His presentation wasn't about "my life living with AIDS." It was about his outrage and suffering for others that people are still dying from a PREVENTABLE disease. I was honored to have seen him speak Saturday night.
~Linda
I just wanted to say what an inspiration you are. I haven't even seen your documentary yet, but just from what I've read on your page makes me want to come up there and give you a big hug! You show us what can be accomplished if you put your mind to it and don't give up. I remember what it was like in my 20's losing many friends and feeling so helpless against AIDS. Knowing you went through the same thing since those days and still came out on top gives me great hope for the future. Beating it long term can be done! So, thank you for all you do! Hope this birthday is an excellent one and that you know how much you are loved!
~ Cody
PS: Great tats btw!
Your courage in the face of this adversity is truly inspirational, and bleeds out far beyond the boundaries of the burden that you bear. When we, the people, stand united, with God on our side, there is no darkness we cannot ignite, and no demon we can't slay. Here's to you my friend...a Lion among men!
~Roberto
When I think life is giving me a bad deal man, a voice speaks somewhere in the back of my mind and says "never surrender". That voice was never there until a few months ago. I've been blessed no doubt, but its souls like you that drive me. I will never fucking surrender. You got "it". Hard to explain "it". You have "it", lucky, worked for it, God gave "it", thanks for inspiring so many, brother. A wise person once told me, " A TRUE FRIEND IS SOMEONE WHO REACHES FOR YOUR HAND BUT TOUCHES YOUR HEART."
Never surrender,
~ B
Dear Mr. Bowers,
I do not know how to thank you enough. It is hard enough for me to even think about getting AIDS, but to have the integrity to openly discuss it with hundreds of kids is truly incredible. You are an amazing person and I am so glad I had the opportunity to meet you. Thank you so much for showing me the value of life and I wish you the best.
~Joseph L.
WISCONSIN DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Dear Bob:
On behalf of the Wisconsin Division of Public Health, AIDS/HIV Program thank you for participating as a panelist for the Telling Their Stories breakout session at the, Caring for Ourselves conference. We received many positive comments about the conference. Your participation and contributions as speaker and planning committee member was instrumental in making the program a success. Thank you for your willingness to share, to encourage and to help build hope for your peers. Sharing your personal story and experiences helps to encourage and demonstrates an example of human persistence that exemplifies the conference namesake of Caring for Ourselves. Participants expressed that they have learned so much, from your story, advocacy and leadership example. Again, thank you so much for your commitment to the HIV community.
Sincerely,
Gail M. Nahwahquaw
Life Care Services Coordinator
WI AIDS/HIV Program
Bob Bowers' story was very inspiring to me. Listening to him made me think more about taking life day by day and to not take things for granted. It was really great of him to come in and talk to us about his situation. I admire him tons for his courage and strength. His story inspired me to think differently about many things like racism, love, acceptance and life itself. Not only was Mr. Bowers' presentation inspiring, it was also extremely informative. All the information I learned really made me think about what I personally can do to help the spread and affects of HIV, as well as other STIs.
~ Frances S.
Mr. Bowers,
I am writing to express how deeply you touched me during your presentation. You speech was the most passionate, interesting and encouraging I have ever heard. You taught us the importance of hope when you are diagnosed with a deadly virus like HIV. I can't tell you how much I respect and admire what you do to educate teens and adults about HIV and how it can ruin your life forever if you let it. Above all else, I respect what you go through each day to survive with HIV and AIDS. Thanks again for your passion about what you do and for your caring about my generation. I will keep you, Michael, Richard, Eddie and Hilary in my prayers.
Sincerely,
Jim S.
Bob Bowers was a very interesting and informative speaker that I thoroughly enjoyed listening to. Bob has a very inspirational story and I thought is was particularly courageous of him to get up in front of so many people and explain that he is an AIDS survivor. Bob did a very good job of mixing facts with real-life experience, another aspect of his presentation that I thought was very well-done. He provided enough technical information, such as how HIV is transmitted, yet he also touched on the emotional side of the disease, explaining the way he felt when he found out he was HIV positive. In addition, I liked the way Bob asked for audience participation, but did not make it awkward or make us feel like we had to participate. Overall, I thought that Bob had a very inspirational life story and thoroughly enjoyed listening to his presentation.
~ Elizabeth P.
I see you will have a very emotional week ahead of you. No way it couldn't be to anyone that has a loving heart. I feel for you more than you know. Sometimes life isn't always fair, and hopefully one day we all will understand why things happen the way they do. Makes you wonder what could possibly be gained by so much hurt. I think if ya look into the eyes and hearts of people you touch, you'll see what can be gained... Peace, Love, and Harmony ... I think that's what keeps you inspired my friend... you know what can be gained... You've seen it...I thank God that there are people like you out there. You make my heart smile my friend...
Peace and Love to you, my favorite pirate...
Mikki
Dear Bob,
I just love how you came, and by the looks of it, conquered the school in more ways than one. :-)
Your shocking, yet down-to-earth way of presenting really hit home. You have made a lasting impression, and have encouraged several to join you in your fight, in HIV awareness and education. Thank you for opening yourself to our students and staff.
~ Amy
Bob,
I wanted to say it was great to see you again and what a fantastic Ride this year! Of the 8 rides I have been on, mostly Twin Cities to Chicago, the ACT Rides and California 8 - this year was the most challenging mentally and physically - (the crash at mile 3 on day 1 certainly did not help the situation). This ride started as a personal challenge. Nearly 9 years ago I overdosed and had a heart attack. That night in the hospital I prayed if I survived I would do what I could to help others who do not have a choice as I did. I had just started cycling - had always been a big supporter of AIDS programs - I thought this was perfect. Over the years however, I guess I had forgotten more and more that I was out there for a cause and it became more and more of a vacation. But what a vacation. I knew I was helping others, But I got to ride for days! Double bonus! This year it all changed. No longer did I feel like a rock star on the road rather by day 4 I was having to stop every few miles to regroup from the pain I was in.
Tears were streaming down my face and there was nothing I could do to stop them. This had been the case since I somehow survived Day 2. The thing people asked me most was how or more like why I kept riding through the pain. My answer was because of people like You. When I was alone climbing through what seemed like mountains on Day 2 and when I could barely kick my legs over one more time, I thought of you. My pain had an end, I could even see the end at the top of the hill. But for so many others there is no end. I kept reminding myself in a few days I will be at home relaxing and healing. My discomfort will be over, my tears will be gone - You inspired me through the ride and reminded me of the importance of why we ride! I will never know or understand the challenges you and so many others face all I can say is you are absolutely amazing!
Best of luck in Texas - pack light it's DAMN hot here!
~ Audrey Clausing - #171
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Bob Bowers aka One Tough Pirate
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Houston, Texas - All Rights Reserved.
Website last updated on November 14, 2024
End HIV/AIDS! Never surrender! Never forget!
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