04/07/2026
Today marks 44 years since Terry Higgins became the first named person in the UK to die of an AIDS-related illness on 4 July, 1982. Starting a chain of events that led to the founding of our charity in his name and our place at the forefront of the fight against HIV for the past four decades.
Our Chief Executive OBE spoke to BBC Radio Wales about Terry. Starting "Terrence Higgins Trust was founded by a boyfriend and a best friend." Have a listen to hear more about our namesake before his name became synonymous with HIV.
Today, 44 years on, everything's changed. You can live a long, healthy life with HIV. You can take PrEP to protect against HIV. People living with HIV and on treatment can't pass it on to partners.
But, equally, too much hasn't changed. Stigma and discrimination persist and stark inequalities exacerbate the HIV epidemic. They stop people from getting tested, from accessing PrEP and from staying on treatment.
Today's anniversary, which falls on , is a moment to reflect, to remember Terry and to galvanise to ensure we do all we can to end new HIV cases by 2030 -- including tackling HIV stigma.
Terry Higgins, 1945-1982. Gone, but never forgotten. And everything we do, we do in Terry's name.
