MSF Satellite

Sitting, listening to a nurse, a deputy medical officer actually, speak at the MSF satellite conference I realized exactly how little I know about this disease and its treatments. Until very recently I considered myself well informed.
I have also been feeling just a little star struck and very overwhelmed. The good news is I am not alone. In a room full of doctors, nurses, lawyers, the public and seasoned medical reporters and excitement rippled through the room when one of the speakers walked in - a little late.
"Stephen Lewis," whispered some people. He wasn't the only one to create some excitement - Mr. Anand Grover, was there also. But, I guess the excitement is not to hard to understand, when you look at the work done by these people it's hard to to feel instant respect.
This was the first time I had heard either of these two men speak and I was amazed. The work being done in India surrounding patent law, specifically around the seemingly stupid patent laws designed to make companies rich while people die.
It is a constant fight. I have to admit I am amazed that some of aid organizations are still able to function; they have to fight for diseases, medications, right to treatments, everything.
Stephen Lewis blew my mind - honestly I have to admit I have been a fan before but I had never heard him speak. He is so honest and so brutally truthful; he seems to have so much more to say but holds himself back.
"I have to be careful, I am holding on to this job until the end of this year, and I don't want it to end prematurely," he said as a followup to some comments he made on the lack of action by many (all) of the G8 countries.
He doesn't have to worry though, an activist from Kenya reminded Lewis that he still had a role to play in all of this, as a volunteer.
He only had good things to say about the organizations medicines Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders).
"I have often said I would lay my life for MSF, this is the only organization I would commit such an act for - but before I mak such an officious action, I'll make a few comments."
Lewis was not the only one with kind words for MSF, the deputy nurse from Thailand said, "Without the organization Medecins Sans Frontiers, my country would not have medicine."
One of the most touching moments of the presentation is when Ibrahim Umoru, a patient and second-line treatment activist from Nigeria, thanked MSF for bringing him to Canada for the conference.
"One thing my trip here has done for me," he said, "is allow me to meet my life long hero, Stephen Lewis - God Bless you." The two men embraced before Lewis took the floor.

I cannot believe the number of people here the press room is packed and I have got to give up my computer. Tomorrow I will bring my laptop. But for now I have got 40 minutes to eat, read up and prep for my next interview, with Ibrahim Umoru.