Impact - Благодійна організація «100 відсотків життя. Запоріжжя»

Anton (name changed), a man in his 40s, went to us for a regular consultation. He did not consider himself at risk: he lived in a stable relationship, worked, and made plans. The only episode of risky behavior that had ever occurred seemed insignificant to him and long forgotten.
During the consultation, the specialist suggested taking an HIV test — more like "just in case." The positive result was unexpected and painful for Anton. He said that in the first minutes he could not believe it, because it was a question of a single risky episode.
The specialist from the "100% Life. Zaporizhzhia" health care center was there from the very beginning. She explained the next steps, supported him emotionally, helped him undergo confirmatory tests, and quickly arrange ART treatment. Thanks to her professionalism, Anton started therapy almost immediately, which is key to maintaining his health.
Anton’s partner also got tested through the organization. Her result was negative, and the specialist recommended PrEP prophylaxis to her to maintain her health and minimize any risks in the future.Anton admitted that the most helpful thing was the human attitude: when he was not judged, not scared, but calmly explained that HIV is a diagnosis that people live a full life with; when someone nearby told him in time that he was not alone.
Today, Anton is taking therapy, stabilizing his condition and approaching an undetectable viral load. The couple is confidently looking to the future, planning a family and children — understanding that the timely help received preserved their health and life.
This story reminds us: you need to get tested for HIV at least once every six months. This is a simple step that can save your life. You should not be afraid of testing, because HIV is not a sentence. Timely treatment allows you to live a full life.
Mykhailo (name changed) is an internally displaced person who is on the state program of substitution maintenance therapy (SMT). After moving and difficult life circumstances, he needed comprehensive psychosocial and social support. A specialist from the “100% Life. Zaporizhzhia” NGO took him under social support, helped stabilize his condition and undergo treatment for viral hepatitis C — an important step that returned his health and confidence.
After his well-being improved, Mykhailo turned to the employment center, as he seeks to find an official job and restore financial stability.
As part of social support, a specialist from the “100% Life. Zaporizhzhia” NGO helped Mykhailo collect documents, explained the procedure for passing the VLK and supported him at all stages. Now he is completing the process and after receiving the conclusion, he will be able to officially get a job and start a new stage in his life.
Mykhailo's story demonstrates the importance of social and psychosocial support for people on substitution maintenance therapy, and also emphasizes how important early detection and timely treatment of viral hepatitis C are. Timely diagnosis allows you to avoid complications, maintain health, and return a person to a full quality of life.
It often happens like this: a person lives in fear of silence. In fear of telling. In fear of not being understood.
We know this path. That is why our social worker works next to people every day — to be that voice of support that gives strength to speak, act, change.
Here is one of the stories. Anna (not her real name), who had previously been reluctant to come out, hesitated for a long time to confess her HIV status to her partner. The fear of losing the relationship, the fear of rejection held her back. And it was at this moment that the phone rang. The call from our social worker was the beginning of a new page.
Together they discussed how to choose the right words, what reactions are possible, what support will be there. When Anna finally dared to talk to her partner, everything turned out not to be as scary as she thought. The partner heard, understood and agreed to take the test. The result was positive. But now he was ready, because there was support nearby. He was immediately included in the treatment program.
This story is about the power of timely help. That every call, every meeting, every “me with you” can be life-saving.
Social workers of the “100% Life. Zaporizhzhia” NGO are those who help every day to take this step towards a life without barriers and with faith in tomorrow.
And if it weren’t for them, perhaps Anna’s story would have turned out differently.