A national charity with global ambitions…
Saving Lives is a national charity with a simple aim: to reduce the stigma that still surrounds testing for the blood-borne viruses [BBVs] like HIV and Hepatitis – as well as other Sexually Transmitted Infections [STIs].
We believe that testing and treatment for BBVs and STIs should be accessible, simple and free – for everyone.
Through our work with healthcare professionals, celebrities, social media campaigns, and political campaigning we hope to reduce barriers to, and encourage increased, testing for BBVs and STIs.
The bigger picture
HIV and Hepatitis aren’t “somewhere else” or “someone else” problems, they are active health challenges right here in the UK and in every corner of the world.
By working together to tackle stigma, improve access to testing and treatment, research new medications and challenge discriminatory policies we can improve the lives of people living with, or affected by BBVS and STIs, both home and abroad.
40.8m
People living with HIV worldwide
This includes 112,000 people in the United Kingdom
50m
People living with chronic Hepatitis C worldwide
This incudes 92,900 people in the United Kingdom
254m
People living with Hepatitis B worldwide
This includes 269,000 in the United Kingdom
Closer to home
We are lucky enough to have world-class treatment here in the UK, but the real challenge is making sure it actually reaches everyone who needs it.
New cases
In 2024 there were over 3,000 new HIV diagnoses – the majority of which could have been prevented which access to testing, condoms and medications like PrEP and PEP.
Late diagnosis
According to the latest figures 42% of HIV diagnoses are late – meaning that the person should have already started treatment.
Not in care
There are an estimated 12,000 people living with HIV in the UK that aren’t currently engaged with care. That’s 1 in 10.
These challenges are all linked, and through diligent hard work, campaigning, meaningful change – with community engagement throughout – we can turn the tide.Together.
Our mission
HIV, Hepatitis and sexual health must be high-priority areas for public health campaigns. Our aims are clear. We need to:
Increase awareness
Increase testing
Reduce transmissions
Reduce late diagnoses
But we can only achieve these steps if we first tackle the stigma that continues to surround HIV, Hepatitis and STIs.
Meet the team
Our team comes from all across the country, and across many disciplines. Each of us adds something to the mix – whether that’s research skills, care-coordination, community outreach or logistics and finance.
Dan Hartland,
Chief Executive Officer
Our professional plate-spinner with a big heart. Dan makes sure the team has what they need to create change.
Graduating from the University of Birmingham, He has worked with the Department of Health, NHS England, the Royal College of General Practitioners, and the UK Health Securities Agency.
Dan founded Saving Lives alongside our Chief Medical Officer, Doctor Steve Taylor.
Dr Steve Taylor (MBChB, FRCP, PhD),
Medical Director
Steve is our clinical compass. He makes sure that everything we say and do is medically accurate and helps guide our mission to reduce stigma and improve outcomes.
When he’s not busy being Clinical Service & Research Lead at Birmingham Heartlands HIV Service you can find him playing football and raising dachshunds.
Cynthia D’Aguilar,
Logistics Manager
Cynthia. Gets. Stuff. Done.
Whether it’s making sure testing kits are going out to the right location, getting our health advisors what they need, coordinating events, ordering merch, or tackling our storage unit you can bet Cynthia is on top of it.
Tom Hayes-Isaacs,
Communications Manager
Tom joined Saving Lives shortly after his HIV diagnosis in 2011, and has worked his way up from an ambassador role to be our head of comms.
He has spoken at the UN, European Parliament, UK Parliament, and appeared on TV and in print talking about the challenges facing people living with HIV.
When not making content you’ll likely find him in the garden with his dogs and a cold glass of wine.
Rachel Greaves,
Peer Support Manager
Our Birmingham bab with a heart of gold.
Rachel started running HIV peer support out of her bedroom in 2017 – providing peer mentoring for other people living with HIV.
In 2024, Positive Peers became part of the Saving Lives family – providing stable funding, governance and resources for their ongoing mission.
All information and figures correct at time of publishing.