Ed. note: This blog is cross-posted from blog.aids.gov. The original post date was November 24, 2014.

It takes courage to share a personal story, but they often are the most powerful. They inspire us, stick with us, and change the way we think about the world.

Personal stories also remind us that we are not alone. With World AIDS Day on December 1, I'm thinking of those affected by the stigma that HIV/AIDS carries. This stigma can leave those touched by it feeling fearful and alienated. You can help change that.

If your life has been impacted by HIV/AIDS, I'm calling on you to speak up. How? Tell us about your personal experiences with HIV/AIDS and your views on care and treatment. The HHS Office on Women's Health wants to feature your story during the 10th observance of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on March 10, 2015. If you or someone you love is living with HIV/AIDS, or you work with women and girls living with the disease, we want to hear from you. Email your personal story or a link to a YouTube video (three minutes or less, please) in English or Spanish to womenshealth@hhs.gov, using the subject line "NWGHAAD Voices." We may share your story on the womenshealth.gov website or social media channels, reaching millions of people. If needed, we'll contact you for additional information, but we will always respect your request to remain anonymous.

By sharing your story, you can empower women and girls to get tested and increase their knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Your voice can inspire someone who is HIV-positive to get care and treatment. With your help, we'll send the message to women and girls living with HIV/AIDS and their families that they are not alone and that getting care and treatment is essential. Please send us your story and share this invitation with others who may be interested in participating.