Strive 2 Thrive is a collective effort to raise awareness for multiple communities in the medical world including hemophilia, hepatitis C and HIV. Not only are these diseases serious issues today among millions globally, it also hits home with the founder of Strive 2 Thrive Joseph Burke. Being born with Hemophilia Type A, Joseph was administered hemophilia factor VIII concentrates in the early 80's that were contaminated from plasma donor pools with the virus that causes AIDS, HIV and various forms of Hepatitis. By age two, Joseph became co-infected, which is a term for two viruses in one patient, HIV and Hepatitis C. For more information on Joseph's amazing testimony,
click here. Strive 2 Thrive is a campaign created by Joseph to not only spread awareness of his diseases, but offer resources for education in today's society. Knowledge is power, and through Joseph's testimony of overcoming many adversities including bullying, public shame, relationships, coping with life, a near death experience and ultimately finding true love in Jesus Christ, our only Redeemer and Savior. "
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters."
1 John 3:16
By offering speaking engagements, one on one counseling, mentoring and being an advocate for over 30 years for the Hemophilia, HIV and HCV communities, Joseph brings a wealth of personal experience combined with compassionate love to those who are reaching out for answers. In this life, we have to claw, climb, grip and dig deep to strive for a better life, a better way of thinking and dealing with the reality of life and the many obstacles that come with being human. Striving for a better future, putting our hope, faith and understanding not in ourselves, but our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the only way to truly break the chains of doubt, regret, anger, hate, fear, uncertainty and believing the lies that you're not good enough. We have to want to strive towards that goal of peace, no fear of what lies around the corner or death through knowing that no matter what, Christ our Lord is by our side each and every step of the way. "
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Deuteronomy 31:8
Through striving for a better life, to learn more and grow in victory, we begin to thrive and reach out to others. In many ways, "
Connect, Grow & Go." We get connected to the one true source of life, Jesus Christ, and we begin to understand what true love looks and feels like through faith. As we grow, dig deeper and
Connect through God's holy word, understanding of our own lives in the grand scale of things becomes more focused and clearer. As we dig deeper into ourselves and God's perfect love, we begin to branch out,
Grow and reach out towards others we know who are afflicted in many of the same ways we are, thus the
Go part. Christ said, "
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
John 15:5 Think of it like the tree in the Strive 2 Thrive logo. The roots of our lives need to dig deep in order for the branches to reach out into the world and thrive. That's the true meaning of our logo, motto and campaign.
