LIFE AFTER DIAGNOSIS ACCORDING TO THE GOSPEL OF VIRLINDA STANTON, TYLER’S “GOLDEN ROSE”

DALLAS, TX - Life has not been a crystal stair for VirLinda Stanton (in the words of legendary poet Langston Hughes), in spite being one of North and East Texas’ shining entertainment beacons for over four decades. Obstacles in her life included being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS nearly 30 years ago.

Through all her joys and pains, Stanton, an advocate for HIV/AIDS, influencer, public speaker and best-selling author, will embark on a new chapter in her life that will give much-needed care and love to many of the same people who has loved and enjoyed her history-making performances.

On February 7 – designated annually as National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day – Stanton will officially launch the emergence of OVERCOMERS FOR LIFE, a non-profit organization that will provide valuable health and medical assistance and services for HIV/AIDS patients, those suffering from other lifethreatening conditions and undergoing mental health crises.

Stanton bravely looks to be the new face of HIV/ AIDS, specifically for women of color, but also for anyone in need.

“Our mission is to assist all persons dealing with life threatening diagnosis, mental health, HIV/ AIDS and other medical conditions. We will assist with how to find health care professionals, provide a network of support

February 3 is VirLinda Stanton Day

February 7 is National Black HIV/ AIDS Awareness Day and social resources, education, and help connect people with professionals – doctors, counselors, educators, HIV community support – to help with your concerns,” said Stanton. “We hope to provide a network of mental support of how to discuss your diagnosis with your family members. We hope to impact, influence, and inspire change perspective and gain confidence on how to live a great and happy life –

“Despite your diagnosis!”

Through OVERCOMERS FOR LIFE, Stanton plans to convey and expand the same values and principles she practiced that helped her persevere from when she was first diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 1994. In the early 1990s, contracting HIV/AIDS was considered an automatic death sentence by almost all lier than Stanton’s diagnosis. It also paralleled with the story of Ryan White, who became a national poster child for HIV/ AIDS when he contracted the disease in 1984 (age 13) and died in 1990 at 18, after being given just six months to live by doctors. people in both the medical industry and public eye.

The shock and impact for VirLinda were equal to when former basketball superstar Earvin “Magic” Johnson announced that he had contracted HIV/ AIDS almost two years ear-

“Living 29 years with the diagnosis of HIV/ AIDS wasn’t easy. As a matter of fact, something that I thought would kill me only made me want to fight harder to live,” Stanton said. “When I was informed of this diagnosis, I did not believe it nor did I receive it. I’ve always had to stand on God's word and His healing power.”

Almost three decades later, VirLinda has defied such gloom-and-doom predictions and remark-