Executive Summary

 

The first known case of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the U.S. was recorded in 1981.  Since then, the virus has escalated into an epidemic and is now the leading cause of death in men ages 25-44.  HIV is transmitted through direct exchange of bodily fluids, and once contracted, it is usually fatal.  HIV attacks immune and destroys immune cells, and without a strong immune system, the body is unable to recover from secondary infections.  The last stage of HIV infection is Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).  People who have developed AIDS have an unusually low number of T-helper cells, and therefore are often victims of infections and cancers that rarely occur in healthy people.

 

Our company, gHIVe, was founded by a group of high school students from the Engineering and Science University Magnet School, in New Haven, Connecticut.  gHIVe is a nonprofit organization that strives to educate, empower, and assist individuals who have contracted HIV by informing the public about the virus and the resources available to combat it.  Many people do not fully comprehend the necessity of HIV tests, and others do not know how they can receive treatment. Through the use of 3D models and animations, gHIVe endeavors to removes the stigma associated with HIV, by effectively demonstrating the biological, sociological, and psychological effects of the disease.

 

gHIVe’s talented team of digital media specialists and animators will be producing a variety of models, videos, and games exhibiting the HIV virus on a molecular scale.  Our products will have a significant impact on our community, particularly targeting students who will benefit from the engaging information presented in our products and may participate in our initiative in the future.  Although we currently have limited financial resources, we expect to receive support and funding from local universities, research facilities, and pharmaceutical companies.