RiseUpToHIV launches HIV resource site with Florida focus

RiseUpToHIV LLC has launched a new website built from founder Kevin Maloney’s 16 years of living with HIV, combining education, community tools and practical care resources. A public Community Preview runs through Oct. 31, with feedback prioritized for improvements planned in 2027.

Why it matters: - The site aims to give people living with HIV, loved ones, care providers and community groups one place for education, support and practical next steps. - Florida readers get a dedicated care locator, while the broader site covers U.S. resources and topics tied to daily life with HIV. - The project adds a new independent HIV information hub at a time when readers are often sorting through medical, emotional and access questions at once.

What happened: - RiseUpToHIV LLC launched a website built from founder Kevin Maloney’s experience living with HIV for 16 years. - The site was created from Maloney’s home office in Tampa Bay and was self-funded. - Maloney estimates the project took eight months and about 800 hours of development through September 2026. - The public Community Preview runs from Oct. 1-31, with broader feedback still encouraged through Nov. 30, 2026. - Visitors can explore the site at RiseUpToHIV.com.

The details: - The site includes articles on treatment, prevention, wellness, relationships, HIV history and everyday life. - Readers can find information about U=U, medication assistance and the experiences of long-term survivors. - Educational quizzes and shareable fact cards are built in as learning tools. - Community and Wellness hubs point readers to support groups, food assistance, mental health resources, arts and culture, and places to gather. - Voices Rising offers a moderated space for stories, check-ins, short posts, links and memorials. - A Community Pledge invites people of any HIV status to challenge stigma and support dignity and access to care. - The site lets readers suggest organizations, events and resources to improve local usefulness. - A Florida Care Locator lists medical care, testing, medication assistance, housing and other services across the state. - Separate routes connect users to national directories. - Readers are told to confirm services, eligibility, costs and appointment availability directly with providers. - The Policy hub explains access, rights and self-advocacy and links to organizations working on those issues. - The site positions itself as a complement to established HIV publications and community organizations. - Links and listings do not imply partnerships or endorsements.

Between the lines: - Maloney’s diagnosis in 2010 pushed him into HIV information, support groups and later advocacy work, which shaped the site’s focus. - He drew on reporting and community resources from TheBody and POZ, plus support from Callen-Lorde Community Health Center. - The site’s message is: “Your life is bigger than HIV. You don’t have to navigate it alone.” - The project reflects a broader shift toward peer-informed health resources that blend medical information with community belonging. - The build also shows how AI tools are moving into small-scale publishing and web development, even when a human retains editorial control. - Maloney used Perplexity, Claude and ChatGPT for research, drafting, organization and development, while keeping final responsibility. - The site says it does not claim independent clinical review of every page and that its content is educational, not a substitute for professional medical advice.

What's next: - During the preview period, visitors are being asked to flag unclear language, outdated information, missing resources and site problems. - Organizations are invited to review pages relevant to their work and suggest updates. - Care-related corrections will get priority. - Broader feedback will help shape improvements planned for spring 2027. - The About page explains Maloney’s background, the build and his disclosures.

The bottom line: - RiseUpToHIV is trying to turn one founder’s lived experience into a practical, community-centered HIV resource for people across the U.S., with Florida as a starting point.