The Steuben Rural Health Network and the Steuben Teen Pregnancy Prevention Task Force has named Brandon Griewank as the 2012 INSPIRE Award Honoree. Brandon will be presented with this award on Thursday, July 19th at the Task Force Annual Meeting to be held at the Corning Country Club. The INSPIRE Award is given annually to someone living or serving in Steuben County who has overcome adversity and serves as a positive role model in how to live a healthy lifestyle. Even before he was diagnosed as being HIV positive, Brandon Griewank was a supporter of HIV/AIDS awareness and sexual education. He speaks freely about his experiences with doctors, partners, and family members as he learns to live with this disease without letting it become who he is. Brandon Griewank is not a doctor, he's a guy with HIV who knows that talking about it is the best way to educate people. “Brandon is confident in his knowledge on the subjects of AIDS & HIV, and passionate in his desire to spread awareness on the subjects of safe sex & sex education. Brandon inspires people every day. Not because he is my "friend with HIV" but because of the outlook he has on life in general,” states friend and colleague, Sarah E. Blagg.

"Brandon should receive this award not just for his ability to share his life experiences and help educate others on sexual health, but also for his ability to be a friend and always be there for anyone when they need him. Last year Brandon spoke at Keuka College about sexual health and his up-hill battle with HIV.

Never before had that campus had someone so open and willing to share something so personal. He educated many students and touched every heart that sat there intently listening to his life story. He answered questions and taught the students a valuable lesson: that although something unexpectedly bad may happen in your life, it is not a reason for you to stop enjoying life or even stop experiencing life! Individually, we need to be careful because we only live one life, but we also need to live it to the fullest” states Keuka College Student, Mackenzie Webster. “Brandon Griewank is a wonderful reminder that a single person has the potential to impact and inspire others to make positive choices and overcome adversity in their lives,” states Kelli Mannon, Director of the Steuben Rural Health Network,

“We are honored to present Brandon with the 2012 INSPIRE Award.” The Steuben Teen Pregnancy Prevention Task Force Annual meeting is open to the public and in addition to Brandon being honored, will feature Brandon’s community presentation along with presentations on the Dignity Act and Adolescents and Self Medication.

To register for the meeting, please call the Steuben Rural Health Network at 607-776-9467 x-226.