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.

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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.