Marisa is a 39-year-old single woman, without children, who has not yet been married. She has had herpes and HPV since age 20. She contracted the viruses in 1985 from an ex-boyfriend who cheated on her. She is lucky since her HPV is the type that never re-occurred and has never been passed to others. She lived in silence for 14 1/2 years until she found various herpes websites online on October 19, 1999. Marisa does understand about getting an STD and giving it. Due to her lack of knowledge in the 80's and the Dr's treating her she has given herpes. So yes, you may pass herpes to someone even if you do not have outbreaks! Getting the virus is one thing but giving it is a lot worse. Be educated and educate your present and future partners! There is no 100% safe with herpes prevention.
Prior to finding the sites, Marisa had almost given up on life. She had spent 15 years with a broken heart, believing that she would never find love, marriage or children as a result of having two STDs. Marisa is currently enjoying dating and meeting possible potential mates. The fear is no longer an issue for her. She thanks the internet for revealing the many others that suffer in silence which ultimately gave her the courage to say: "I have herpes. Do you?" She uses this phrase on her ads on regular dating sites and where ever the conversations might occur...even at her local grocery store....long story...LOL.
The day she discovered the H sites was the first time Marisa ever realized that she was not alone. She even saw some local friends on some of the sites. Soon afterward, she began working for for a H commercial dating site, and was instrumental in assisting that site as the COO, VP and being on their Board of Directors. Her work and passion for the cause assisted that site to become the leading online community organization for people with Herpes and HPV. Marisa in April of 2002 left that commercial organization to work in the non-profit world so that her mission would be able to be acomplished without the previous restrictions that working for a commercial company entails being commercial not a non-profit.
Marisa has made it her mission to break down the walls of silence. Marisa in January of 2000, started a website:"Meet People On The Internet.com" www.meetpeopleontheinternet.com She later changed the website to www.lovemarisa.org Since without Love we have nothing she firmly believes in her heart and mind. This site was her first attempt at assisting people with everything from dating tips, STD info and she would even re-write people's personal ads.
Over the last three years, Marisa has been a regular speaker at the National Gatherings for Herpes and HPV, empowering those who have STDs. She has given advice to thousands of people, many of whom have gone on to get married and lead happy lives once again. Inspiration, empowerment and education is what she preaches to those who will listen or are in need of assistance. She has been featured in several newspapers and PBS. This is just the begining for her since she is passionate about bringing an end to the false stigmas and fears revolving around STDs.
Finding others who shared the same feelings of powerlessness that are part of having an STD had such an impact on Marisa that it has allowed her to stop hiding behind herpes, HPV and start living again. She has formed SWORN with a small crew of terrific people to continue her work to break the silence, and begin a dialogue to prevent the emotional and physical suffering that go hand-in-hand with contracting an STD. SWORN finally after over 6 months has received it's non-profit status on 9-13-02. We will now be able to get financial assistance to be the voice for those who are silent and have not yet found their voice and power.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or want to join our team as we grow. Send us your resume: volunteers@sworn.org
We are currently in need of web designers, programmers, grant writers, fundraisers, non-profit accountants/bookeeping. We need you to achieve the possibilities so give us a hello since the possibilities are endless.
Marisa Pollak
