Timothy was diagnosed with HIV in 1995. In 2007 he was
diagnosed with leukemia when he was living and working in Berlin as a
translator. During his stem cell treatments for leukemia, doctors
discovered that not only had the leukemia gone into remission, but Timothy’s
HIV had been cured. No signs of HIV had been found since.
Earlier this year, the leukemia resurfaced and had
spread widely through his body. The past few weeks Timothy received home
hospice care in his apartment in Palm Springs, California. His partner, Tim
Hoeffgen, has never left his side.
Source of inspiration
Timothy has been and is still a great inspiration for
HIV/AIDS patients and scientists for all over the world. He was an active
public figure in the HIV/AIDS arena and embodies a shared hope for a practical
cure.
Timothy was also the source of inspiration for the
IciStem study and was actively involved in the project as member of the community
board.
Timothy was very enthusiastic about the two other
IciStem patients that have not experienced HIV rebound after treatment
interruption. He felt his family of cured persons was extended. Before he
deceased Timothy expressed the importance of a cure for all and asked
scientists and donors to keep fighting for a cure that works for everyone. He
will be genuinely missed.
Our thoughts are with Tim, his family members and
loved ones.
