Life goes on: Olena’s story of finding therapy in Germany

Olena (name changed) arrived in Germany in the spring together with her daughter. In Ukraine, she already knew about her HIV status, was registered for care, and was taking ART as well as substitution therapy. But after moving to one of the largest cities in Bavaria, everything stopped: a different country, new rules, another language.

When her supply of Ukrainian therapy was running out, she turned to the HelpNow service for assistance. They explained to her how to access therapy in her new city of residence — where to go, what documents to show, what to say to the doctors. After receiving a referral to a specialized center, she felt nervous during the visit, but the medical staff treated her with understanding and tolerance.

Olena underwent an examination and now regularly takes her therapy. “Thank you for not leaving me alone with my needs,” says Olena. “Even from afar, your help is extremely important for people.”

***

This publication was prepared within the framework of the project “From heart to heart” in partnership with Zjednoczenie Pozytywni w Tęczy and Step by Step Fundacja, with financial support from the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Germany HIV OST

The path to therapy and a new life: Maryna’s story

Maryna (name changed) arrived in Poland with her three children, fleeing the war. She lives in a small village, far from the city and specialized clinics. Her HIV status was a taboo subject for her—she feared that neighbors or locals would find out. “I felt so ashamed and scared. I didn’t know how to tell people that I needed to go to the hospital specifically because of HIV. I thought they would judge me and turn away from me,” Maryna shares.

A year ago, she reached out for the first time to consultants from the HelpNowHUB Foundation to register and access HIV treatment in Poland. The road was long and difficult: constant obstacles—her children’s illnesses, her own health problems, fear, and not knowing how to get to the hospital.

The HelpNowHUB specialists didn’t give up: they scheduled Maryna’s appointments four times, called her, supported her, and explained step by step what needed to be done. “They supported me even when I no longer believed I could make it. The consultant stayed with me over the phone, kept registering me again and again, and explained everything to the reception desk for me,” Maryna recalls.

The turning point came when Maryna decided to open up to local Poles who sometimes helped her with transportation. She found the courage to tell them about her status—and received not judgment, but support. “They listened to me and said, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll help.’ They drove me to the clinic and even arranged a car for the way back. That was unexpected and very important to me,” she says.

During the visit, a HelpNowHUB consultant accompanied Maryna remotely: helped her at the reception and oversaw every step. As a result, Maryna underwent medical tests, had an X-ray (due to a past tuberculosis infection), and received medication for two months. “Since yesterday, I’ve been taking Polish therapy. I’m registered. This is a huge step for me,” Maryna says.

Her decision to take care of her health was also strengthened by personal tragedy: her husband in Ukraine, who also lived with HIV but never sought treatment, passed away. Now Maryna is waiting for her next appointment in October to receive her test results and continue therapy. She admits that without HelpNowHUB’s support, she might never have dared to take this step. “Without the Foundation, I wouldn’t have managed—thank you!” Maryna shares.

***

This publication was prepared within the project “From heart to heart” in partnership with Zjednoczenie Pozytywni w Tęczy and Step by Step Fundacja, with financial support from the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

HIV Poland

Support for Ukrainians with HIV in Germany: psychological, social, and legal assistance

The Deutsche Aidshilfe network, 100% LIFE Germany, and the National HIV/AIDS Hotline have joined resources to help Ukrainians in Germany from key communities.

Ukrainians living with HIV and community representatives in Germany can receive free psychological support from professional specialists. To do this, it is enough to fill out a short form at hiv.helpme.com.ua. After that, a psychologist will contact you to arrange the time of the first video session. Consultations are held via a secure online platform and help to cope with stress, emotional burden, and make adaptation to new conditions easier.

In case you need crisis support “here and now,” you can contact the National HIV/AIDS Hotline. It operates 24/7 and is available for calls from abroad. You can call directly at +380 44 290 40 89 or +380 93 023 82 43, as well as order a free call via the website saapf.kiev.ua. In addition to crisis assistance, hotline consultants provide information about opportunities to receive medical and social services in Germany.

An important tool for Ukrainians is also the 100% LIFE legal chatbot, which helps find answers to frequently asked questions about staying in Germany. In the bot, you can learn about HIV and the right to residence, medical insurance, social guarantees, issues of confidentiality of status, as well as protection from discrimination. The chatbot is available on Telegram @100%LifeBOT, on Viber (100Life bot), on Facebook Messenger (100%Life_bot), and on the website network.org.ua/pravova-dopomoga. For convenience, it is enough to select the section “Questions Germany”.

In addition, in Germany there is a community “100% Life. Germany”, which unites Ukrainians and provides a space for mutual support. You can join the group through the Facebook page: facebook.com/100life.germany.

All these opportunities are implemented within the framework of a joint project of Deutsche Aidshilfe, 100% LIFE Germany, and the National HIV/AIDS Hotline, with the support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

***

We remind you: if you or your loved ones are representatives of key groups, have found yourselves abroad, and need information on how to get access to ART, opioid substitution therapy, anti-tuberculosis drugs, hepatitis treatment, psychological or legal support in the host country — the HelpNow Service is working for you.

You can get help through:

HIV

“We are different – we are equal!”: Fundacja HelpNow launches a social project to support vulnerable groups in Poland

Women, people with disabilities, migrants, and those in need of support — these are the groups targeted by the new project “We are different – we are equal!”, implemented by Fundacja HelpNow HUB with financial support from AIDS Healthcare Foundation and AHF Poland. The initiative has been running for over two months in five Polish cities: Warsaw, Bydgoszcz, Gdańsk, Wrocław, and Białystok.

“We want every person — regardless of their background, health status, or life circumstances — to feel safe, to have access to quality information, medical care, and support. Equality is not a slogan, it’s our daily work,” emphasizes Anna Ariabinska, Director of Fundacja HelpNow HUB.

The project includes a range of activities in educational, medical, and psychological areas. Among the planned initiatives are five 12-hour WenDo training sessions, in which 60 women from five Polish cities will participate. WenDo is a self-defense method designed specifically for women.

“WenDo training is not just about physical protection. It’s about confidence, asserting your boundaries, and the power to be yourself,” adds Ariabinska.

The project also provides consultations on HIV, tuberculosis, hepatitis, as well as support for social adaptation and legal aid. Free, anonymous HIV, hepatitis C, and syphilis testing with pre- and post-test counseling is regularly carried out in Bydgoszcz and Białystok. Psychological support is also available to the project team.

According to recent data, 2,876 new cases of HIV were recorded in Poland in 2023 — the highest number ever registered. For comparison, just a few years ago, the average was around 1,000 cases per year. The number of infections among foreigners is growing particularly rapidly — 753 cases were registered in 2022, three times more than in 2021. Women account for about 20–21% of new HIV cases in Poland, and this number is slowly increasing. A significant portion of women are diagnosed at late stages, which complicates treatment and increases the risk of complications.

“A single test can change or even save a life. We want people not to fear the truth. Modern medicine allows people with HIV to live fully — the key is knowing your status in time,” stresses the Director of the Foundation.

The goal of “We are different – we are equal!” is to improve access to healthcare services for vulnerable groups, raise awareness about HIV, hepatitis, and other infections, promote a culture of regular testing, provide psychological support, and reduce HIV-related stigma. All of this is aimed at creating a safe environment where every person — regardless of gender, nationality, physical condition, or social status — has equal rights to health, support, and a life of dignity.

The Foundation invites everyone interested to take part in free, quick, and anonymous HIV testing in Bydgoszcz and Białystok. A detailed schedule is available by calling: +48 786 640 460 or +48 575 023 612, or by messaging Fundacja HelpNow HUB on social media.

“We’re not just offering services — we are building a community where everyone has the right to care, health, and a life of dignity!” concludes Anna Ariabinska.

HIV Poland

The freedom to be yourself: Kateryna’s story of resilience, fighting violence, and living with HIV

“I’m a mother of three, a woman with a history of substance use, now 18 years in remission. I live with HIV. And I am a free woman,” says Kateryna (name changed). Her story is one of resilience, responsibility, and the ability to rebuild herself after violence, addiction, and loss.

Kateryna learned about her HIV status in 2005, during her first pregnancy. “There was no PCR testing back then, only antibody tests. But I was immediately registered in Kyiv, received prevention treatment — and my baby was born healthy. Just like my other two children.” Since the beginning, Kateryna has been taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) and has never stopped treatment.

Relocating to Poland didn’t stand in her way: “I took a certificate from home, and initially had six months of ART with me. Then I simply went to a local infectious disease specialist — and that was it. They registered me, gave me the medication. The drugs are different here, but my viral load is undetectable. Everything’s fine. By the way, whenever friends or relatives move abroad, I tell them: contact the HelpNow team — they really do help.”

In Poland, Kateryna works and supports herself and her children. She holds multiple qualifications: medical worker, cosmetologist, and certified psychologist. But her story is not just about living with HIV and maintaining her health. It’s also a story of survival, endurance, and the difficult path of leaving abusive relationships.

Kateryna speaks openly about the years she lived with violence — physical, psychological, sexual and economical. The hardest part, she says, was recognizing how deeply ingrained her fear of being seen as “bad” was in her behavior. “I always tried to be the ‘good girl.’ I did everything myself, carried it all alone. I thought that was my role. And when I started to break away, to stand up for myself — the response was aggression.”

None of her former partners helped after the breakups. “I didn’t file for child support for seven years. I was ashamed. But then I just got angry — and I filed.”

Now, Kateryna is not in a relationship — and that’s a conscious choice. “I don’t see the point in going back to a dynamic where I end up dragging someone along again. If I ever truly want to be with someone, I’ll go to therapy and figure out why.”

Her survival formula is simple: rely on herself. “We don’t need a ‘savior.’ We need resources. If I know I can feed myself — I’m already safe. Everything else can be figured out. Education, financial independence, self-respect — that’s my strength.”

Kateryna’s story is one of deep transformation that begins with being honest with yourself. It’s about a freedom that no longer agrees to stay silent or endure abuse. And a resilience that is born from a simple decision — to stay with yourself and stand up for yourself.

“Everything we need is already within us. We just have to give ourselves permission to lean on it.”

***

The publication was prepared within the framework of the “From Heart to Heart” project in partnership with Zjednoczenie Pozytywni w Tęczy and Step by Step Fundacja, with financial support from the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

HIV Poland Violence

“It was important to know I wasn’t alone”: Dmytro’s story

Dmytro (name changed) learned about his HIV status only after relocating to the Netherlands. The news came as an unexpected and distressing shock. In a new country, far from home and without familiar support systems, he found himself alone with a life-changing health issue. At first, he wasn’t ready to talk to anyone about it.

After finding HelpNow’s Service contact online, Dmytro reached out and quickly received clear, practical guidance — where to go and what documents or information he needed to have with him.

He was given the details of the nearest medical center, where he was able to get tested and undergo all necessary examinations. His knowledge of English helped him communicate confidently with the healthcare staff. Soon after, he completed the required tests and received his first ART regimen.

Alongside starting treatment, Dmytro continues his studies and is actively searching for a job, doing his best to adapt to his new life as quickly as possible. He gratefully recalls his experience with HelpNow: “I’m thankful for the support, the clear information, and for being helped not to freeze in that difficult moment. It was important to know I wasn’t alone. Thanks to you, I didn’t lose time and have already started therapy. I truly appreciate your work, compassion, and dedication.”

***

The publication was prepared within the framework of the “From Heart to Heart” project in partnership with Zjednoczenie Pozytywni w Tęczy and Step by Step Fundacja, with financial support from the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

HelpNow HIV Netherlands

“I Am Not Alone”: Oksana’s Journey of Support, Acceptance, and a New Beginning

Oksana (name changed) reached out to a consultant from the HelpNow HUB Foundation as part of the From Heart to Heart project during a very difficult period in her life. She learned that her first husband had died from AIDS, which was a severe shock for her. To find out her own status, she ordered an HIV test, took it — and the result came back positive.

During this challenging time, Oksana received all the necessary information and support:
“I am sincerely grateful to your organization for the support and care. During this difficult period, you provided me not only with psychological help but also with the strength to move forward. Thank you for your warm words, understanding, and for making me feel that I am not alone.”

The consultant helped Oksana find a laboratory in Poland where she could confirm the test. After completing the tests and receiving official confirmation, she was scheduled for a doctor’s appointment. At the medical center, she quickly underwent the necessary examinations — CD4 count and viral load — and just a week after the tests, Oksana began effective therapy.

“Special thanks to you for the reliable information about treatment and testing, for explaining everything honestly, openly, and without judgment. This is very important.”
Oksana also took care of her child’s health by testing them for HIV — the consultant sent her the appropriate test kits. The result was negative.

“Thank you for referring me for tests and for accompanying me every step of the way. Thanks to you, I was able to take important steps toward acceptance and self-care. You are incredible. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

***

The publication was prepared within the framework of the “From Heart to Heart” project in partnership with Zjednoczenie Pozytywni w Tęczy and Step by Step Fundacja, with financial support from the Elton John AIDS Foundation.


HIV Poland