The HIV Advocate Fighting for Forgotten Voices | Derek "D-REK" Canas

What happens when you're part of an epidemic but invisible in the conversation?This week, Kim sits down with Derek "D-Rex" Canas, a 40-year-long-term survivor whose story begins with infant heart surgery and a blood transfusion that would change everything. Diagnosed with HIV at just 16, Derek discovered something shocking: there was virtually no support for heterosexual men living with HIV. For over a decade, he's been building coalitions and breaking down barriers in a community that often overlooks his demographic.In this episode, Derek reveals:​🔴 Hidden epidemic: "DL lists" exposing men living double lives, spreading HIV to heterosexual partners while advocates stay silent​🟢 Medical mysteries: Living with a fifth pacemaker while surviving 40 years of HIV and why he feels better when his heart device dies​🟣 Forgotten voices: Building the first real coalition for heterosexual men with HIV after a decade of finding no representationChapters00:00 Introduction to Chronic Truth Podcast00:54 D-Rek's Journey and Advocacy12:13 Challenges in HIV Advocacy17:57 Life Today and Support Systems22:08 Final Thoughts and InspirationSupport Derek's Mission:💻: ⁠D-REK's Angels & Warriors⁠To support the show, visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This episode is brought to you by:The Chronic Truth Podcast, LLCHost/Executive Producer: Kimberly NashCo-Producer / Editor: Jay Wilson, for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Podcast Mechanic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠