JERRY THACKER, a theologically Reformed Evangelical Christian conference speaker and author of When AIDS Comes Home, will tell the story of how he and his family have dealt with HIV/AIDS contracted as a result of a blood transfusion given to his wife in 1984 after giving birth to their daughter. Jerry, his wife Sue, and their daughter Sarah are all infected with the virus (Sarah was infected as an infant through breast-feeding). The couple also lost their 16-year-old son to pneumoccal meningitis in 1995. He was not HIV infected, but he was affected by what was going on in the family he loved so much.
Jerry is also the founder of Scepter Institute, Inc., a non-profit educational entity incorporated under IRS regulations section 501 (c) (3). The mission of Scepter Institute is to educate people about the dangers of the risk behaviors surrounding drugs, sex, alcohol, violence, and tobacco with a particular emphasis on HIV/AIDS prevention. The organization works both in the United States and abroad to promote healthier choices and lifestyles.
In addition to presenting the family's story, Jerry delivers material on abstinence as the most effective method of stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS. He recommends that those who have done risk activities involving the exchange of bodily fluids get an HIV test. His pro-abstinence (ABC) message has been presented to more than a half million people since 1994 in venues as diverse as churches and pastor's seminars, at private and public school assemblies, for civic groups and on both religious and secular college campuses.
He has appeared on Fox News on the O'Reilly Factor television show as well as on Focus on the Family radio. Recently Jerry was part of a quasi-governmental team that, along with Shepherd Smith, visited Uganda to research the effective HIV/AIDS reduction program going on there. He was a signatory on the report that prompted President Bush to ask for $15MM in aid for Africa in 2003. He also has developed training seminars for missionaries and other field workers around the world.
Originally from West Virginia, Jerry is a graduate of Bob Jones University holding B.A. ('72) and M.A. ('74) degrees. He was a member of the university faculty for 7 years and was honored by the BJU Alumni Association with a special citation for his work in educating communities of faith and others about HIV/AIDS.
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