Cath Slater’s story concerns unimaginable loss, fierce resilience, and unwavering advocacy. Born and raised in Blackburn, England, Cath’s life changed forever in 1985 when, at just 20 years old, she received a diagnosis that was, at the time, a near-certain death sentence: HIV. The infection stemmed from a blood transfusion she underwent three years earlier to manage von Willebrand’s disease, a genetic blood clotting disorder. In those days, HIV screening for blood products was non-existent—a devastating oversight that would shatter countless lives, including her own.

For Cath, the diagnosis brought her world crashing down. She was forced to abandon her nursing career, a calling she had poured her heart into. The dreams of becoming a mother were painfully set aside, replaced by the haunting fear of transmission and the uncertainty of her survival. The early treatments for HIV, gruelling and experimental, left her battling side effects like lipodystrophy, a condition that left visible scars on her body—a constant reminder of the fight she was waging against an unforgiving virus.

But Cath refused to let HIV define her or silence her. She transformed her pain into purpose, becoming a relentless advocate for those impacted by the infected blood scandal. Her voice has carried the weight of countless others who endured stigma, neglect, and physical suffering as a result of systemic failures. Cath has tirelessly held governments to account, challenging empty apologies and insufficient compensations that fail to capture the decades of harm inflicted on victims. For her, this fight is deeply personal but also profoundly collective—a mission to honour the past while ensuring such tragedies are never repeated.

Despite the struggles, Cath’s life has also been marked by love and resilience. Since 2015, she has shared her life with her wife, Kelly, finding joy and partnership in a world that once seemed determined to strip her of both. She’s an avid pool player, representing Lancashire with determination and skill, and she’s pursuing an MA in Philosophy and Religion at Lancaster University. Her dissertation, focused on women, spirituality, and HIV, reflects her commitment to deepening understanding and reclaiming her narrative.

Cath’s journey is a raw, powerful testament to the human spirit’s ability to endure and fight for justice, even when the odds seem insurmountable. Her courage speaks not only to the injustices of the past but also to the possibilities of the future—a future where voices like hers are heard and acted upon. In sharing her story, she reminds us of the strength it takes to turn pain into progress and ensure that even the darkest chapters of history illuminate the path forward.