5th Annual Timothy Ray Brown Community Cure Symposium & World AIDS Day Film

Honoring a Legacy. Advancing the Search for an HIV Cure.

What once seemed impossible became reality when Palm Springs resident Timothy Ray Brown, internationally known as the “Berlin Patient,” became the first person cured of HIV. His extraordinary story changed the course of HIV research and continues to inspire scientists, advocates, and communities around the world.

The HIV Aging Research Project (HARP-PS) and the RID-HIV Collaboratory invite the Coachella Valley community to the 5th Annual Timothy Ray Brown Community Cure Symposium, an evening dedicated to scientific progress, personal stories, and remembrance in recognition of World AIDS Day.

The Search for a Cure

Leading HIV researchers will share the latest developments in the pursuit of lasting HIV remission and a cure, with presentations and discussion featuring:

Sumit Chanda, Scripps Research

Paula Cannon, University of Southern California

Angelo Cardoso, City of Hope, discussing an ongoing gene therapy cure trial

Paul Edmonds, Palm Springs resident and the “City of Hope Patient,” who was cured of HIV following stem cell treatment

Edmonds will share his remarkable personal journey, his experiences meeting others who have been cured, and his advocacy for preserving HIV cure research funding.

Attendees will have an opportunity to hear directly from researchers, ask questions, and gain insight into the scientific advances shaping the future of HIV treatment and cure research.

World AIDS Day: Remembering Through Art

The evening will also feature a special screening of seeds in a dying colony, an international video program commissioned by Visual AIDS for its 2026 Day With(out) Art initiative.

Through film, art, and storytelling, the presentation honors those lost to AIDS, recognizes the experiences of long-term survivors, and reflects on the continuing human impact of HIV/AIDS.

A food and wine reception will follow the program, providing an opportunity for conversation and community connection.

Everyone Is Welcome

This free public event welcomes people living with HIV, long-term survivors, caregivers, healthcare professionals, advocates, and anyone interested in learning more about the ongoing search for an HIV cure.

Event Details

Date: Monday, November 30, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Location: Mizell Center, 480 S. Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Admission: Free — advance registration encouraged
Parking: Complimentary

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2003375546188?aff=oddtdtcreator

More Information: https://www.harp-ps.org

Presented by HARP-PS in partnership with the RID-HIV Collaboratory.