Fans have flooded to support Instagram model Gena Tew after she revealed she is HIV positive and that AIDS nearly killed her.
Gena Tew - who has been linked to Chris Brown and Nick Cannon - has been using her social media platforms as a model, musician and influencer to speak out and raise awareness of what it's like to be living with AIDS.
In her most recent video on TikTok - where she has a following of over 300,000 users - the 27-year-old answered a question she has frequently received from followers about how she got AIDS.
Taking to her TikTok, Tew revealed she doesn't know 'who gave it to [her]', 'where' or 'how' she got it.
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"All I know is that because I was so sick to the point of death that they said I'd had to have it for eight to 10 years.
"And in that time frame, I was living in New York City and I was homeless and I did get raped a couple of times. It's not something I like to talk about.
"I have had a couple free tattoos, so it could've been a dirty needle. I don't know."
Tew explained how because she was 'young,' 'stupid' and 'naive' she didn't 'say anything' when she went through those experiences.
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Fans have leapt to the model's support, flooding to the post to wish her well.
"That could be any of us. This can literally happen to anyone. Stay strong," one said.
Another wrote: "So young and such a hard life, I pray that God gives you strength to fight this battle and courage to keep moving forward."
A final resolved: "It really doesn’t matter how it was contracted. You owe no one an explanation. Just take care of yourself to be as healthy as you can. God bless."
Tew has since set up a GoFundMe page, titled, 'In need of help'.
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The page states: "As you all know my name is Gena Tew and I’m fighting AIDS and just lost my only sister to a rare lung disease, Fibrosing Mediastinitis on June the 8th.
"She left behind a husband & 3 small children she was only 29 years old…we are now trying to raise money to move to where they are to be there for them, any help would be appreciated. Thank you."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the Terrance Higgins Trust on 0808 802 1221 for support, advice and information. The line is open 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday. Or email them at [email protected].
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact the Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline on 0808 802 9999 between 12pm–2.30pm and 7pm– 9.30pm every day. Alternatively, you can contact Victim Support free on 08 08 16 89 111 available 24/7, every day of the year, including Christmas
Topics: Health, Instagram, Mental Health, Social Media, YouTube, US News