Every Sunday Terrence Johnson walks down an inconspicuous Uptown street looking for the boxy silver Chicago Recovery Alliance van that operates a needle exchange program. He lives in a shelter just up the street with his wife and daughter who accompany him on his search. He needs half-cc needles on a weekly basis, but not for any addiction. He is an unemployed and homeless diabetic who can't afford needles from a hospital or local pharmacy.

John Gafeney was diagnosed with HIV when he was 17 years old and already living on his own.

He contracted the disease from his partner, who told Gafeney he was HIV-positive after they had been in a relationship for a while.

Now 18, Gafeney lives in Wicker Park and takes a proactive approach to gaining a better understanding of the disease so he can plan for the future and help educate others.