On July 4, 1993, Cory S. learned that he had AIDS.  

“I was given three to six months to live,” he said. “Thirty-one years later, I’m still trying to figure it out.” 

Shortly after his diagnosis, Cory was connected to the Pitt Men’s Study and the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force.

“It’s always been a part of my journey,” Cory said of PATF and now Allies. “You guys assisted me many times, actually. I’ve been very fortunate in my life to have the doctors, the support system, Allies, the old AIDS Task Force. I find comfort in knowing there’s an organization I can rely on when I need some help, whether it’s legal problems or utility problems that I’ve experienced in the past.” 

In addition to the staff of PATF, Cory gathered a “circle of support” around himself, which included his large, close-knit family.  

“I come from a real big family, and they’re very loving and supportive,” he said. “My mother helped me immensely during my journey.  Me and my mom and my circle of support kind of just took the bull by the horns and approached it in that way. I kind of just took it as, ‘OK, what do I need to do?’” 

Nevertheless, there were times when Cory’s confidence was shaken. Several years into his journey, he had lost about 90 pounds and was very ill. “That was a very scary point,” he said. “I was so scary looking, and I was like, ‘Am I going to make it?’ There was a point where I couldn’t go out of my house for two years, I was just in so much pain.” 

But he managed to pull through. “I found the resources in my life to do whatever I need to get well, and here I am,” he said. “I’m 68 years old right now. I’m planning on being around for a long time.” 

Reflecting on his experiences, Cory said, “The journey has been really something. 

“I’m always a glass half-full kind of guy,” he said. “That’s the way I approach my AIDS thing, too. It was the worst thing that happened in my life, no doubt. It ripped the carpet out from under me. It really set me back. But it was a blessing in my eyes, too. 

“It opened up so many things that maybe I had not seen,” he continued. “This isn’t rocket science to me. When you get this type of diagnosis, it really puts into perspective what’s important, and for me, it was my family, my foundation.”  

More than 30 years later, he’s grateful for that perspective and for those who have supported him along the way. 

“Every chance I get, I thank the people that have helped me,” he said. “What you do is important, and it’s needed. The work you do is so important.”