|PIC1|Kay agreed to talk with ANS just after she and Rick Warren, had moderated a panel of Rwandan government and church leaders; business and medical experts; and Saddleback HIV/AIDS Initiative directors, to address the issue of global partnership ventures to help people living with HIV/AIDS.
The event took place during the 17th International World AIDS Conference and so I asked Kay why she and Rick were in the middle of such an event that drew 22,000 delegates from around the world.
"It's always good to be at the International Aids conference," she began. "It's sort of a wild and wooly place and you don't ever know what you're going to hear. I have spent the time here sometimes getting driven out of my mind by what I am seeing and hearing, but then, at other times of it has been a real encouragement when we have heard some wonderfully inspiring stories.
Talk of prevention
"During this conference, I've noticed a lot of talk about prevention," Kay continued. "Some of the other conferences I have been to have talked about treatment, but now people are really starting to realize that treatment, as fabulous as it is and as necessary as it is, will not bring an end to the pandemic. So that just reinforces our belief about how important it is for the church to be a part of preventing new infections."
Kay went on to say, "This satellite session that we just did on the partnerships between faith and the government and business community, on how when the three sectors of society can go after a problem and make a significant difference, has been very encouraging to both Rick and myself."
I then asked Kay Warren why she believed the church should get involved after spending so many years on the sidelines of this HIV/AIDS pandemic that has seen more than 25 million people die of AIDS since 1981 and has produced 11.6 million AIDS orphans in Africa alone.
"The reason the church should be involved is that God cares for the sick," she said firmly "All you have to do is read your Bible. Don't pay attention to what I say. Just read what the Bible says. Jesus healed people. He cared about their bodies. So to me, it's really it's not a matter of whether we should we be involved in HIV/AIDS, but of course we must. It's reflecting the heart of God which is to care for the sick."
Speaking of sickness, I asked Kay about how her own health was after suffering from several bouts of cancer.
"My health is great," she said with a smile. "I'm in remission. They never tell you you're cured of breast cancer, but I'm in remission and everything looks good."
I concluded by asking her if she had any regrets in getting involved with the HIV/AIDS fight.
Kay paused and then said, "Oh no. The only regret is that I didn't do it sooner."