NEW YORK, June 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The world’s first HIV-positive-to-HIV-positive lung transplant was performed at NYU Langone Health. 

The surgery brings new hope for HIV-positive patients in need of lung transplants, as it opens a pool of potential donors who were previously ineligible.

“This is a watershed moment for the HIV-positive community and represents real progress in creating equity in organ transplantation,” said Sapna Mehta, MD, clinical director of NYU Langone Transplant Institute and co-architect of the research protocol, sanctioned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, that enabled the complex procedure. “While these transplants are still only allowable under certain research protocols, this marks an expansion of options for people in need of a lifesaving organ.”

Approximately 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV. People with HIV can live long, healthy lives due to advances in antiretroviral therapies, or ART. Most people using ART are unable to transmit the virus and have near-normal life expectancies.

A Breath of Fresh Air

Bertrand Nelson, 56, has had HIV for nearly 26 years. In 2000, he was diagnosed with HIV and sarcoidosis, which can affect the lungs and spread to the liver. The disease had not yet spread from his lungs, and soon after diagnosis his doctors told him it was in remission. 

Then, in 2021, he acquired Legionnaires’ disease and was hospitalized for weeks with severe pneumonia. The disease reactivated his sarcoidosis, which attacked his liver. His condition worsened in 2024—he required an increasing amount of oxygen to breathe—and his doctor referred him to NYU Langone Transplant Institute to be evaluated for both lung and liver transplants. A research protocol for lung transplantation under the 2013 HIV Organ Policy Equity Act, or HOPE Act, had begun, and he was evaluated for HOPE dual-organ transplant in 2025.

“Transplantation of HOPE hearts and abdominal organs has been done before, but this has not been done in lung transplantation. It takes a special kind of patient to be willing to do something that hasn’t been done before,” said Mark A. Sonnick, MD, transplant pulmonologist at NYU Langone Transplant Institute and co-author of the research protocol with Dr. Mehta.

NYU Langone Transplant Institute is one of the only transplant centers in the United States equipped and approved under a research protocol to perform HOPE lung transplants. Nelson received the first in the world on March 21, 2026, by Stephanie H. Chang, MD, surgical director of lung transplantation at NYU Langone. He received a new liver that same day, performed by Karim J. Halazun, MD, surgical director of liver transplantation at NYU Langone. 

Nelson is now off oxygen for the first time in four years and getting back in shape after years of limited mobility. 

He credits his mother, who will be 82 in August, for always supporting him and helping him throughout his journey.

“I want to be well for her,” he said. “I want her to see me thriving.” 

He hopes his story of perseverance might inspire others and help raise awareness of people in the HIV community in need.

“There are so many others who need access to this level of care, and the more organs that become available, the better the odds of finding the right match and living a long life,” he said.

About NYU Langone Health

NYU Langone Health is a fully integrated health system that consistently achieves the best patient outcomes through a rigorous focus on quality that has resulted in some of the lowest mortality rates in the nation. Vizient Inc. has ranked NYU Langone No. 1 out of 118 comprehensive academic medical centers across the nation four years in a row, and U.S. News & World Report recently ranked four of its clinical specialties No. 1 in the nation. NYU Langone offers a comprehensive range of medical services with one high standard of care across seven inpatient locations, its Perlmutter Cancer Center, and more than 330 outpatient locations in the New York area and Florida. The system also includes two tuition-free medical schools, in Manhattan and on Long Island, and a vast research enterprise.

Media Inquiries
Colin DeVries
Phone: 212-404-3588
Colin.DeVries@NYULangone.org

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SOURCE NYU Langone Health

MONTREAL, June 19, 2026 /CNW/ – The Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Saint-Laurent–Mont-Royal brought together leading government, diplomatic and business representatives yesterday at Jadco’s Montreal headquarters for the Canada-Europe Conferences. Organized at the Chamber’s initiative, the event focused on diversifying Canadian exports to Europe and highlighted opportunities to strengthen economic development and cooperation between Canada and the European Union.

IMAGES: CLICK HERE

Against a backdrop of shifting global supply chains, evolving trade policies and a growing need for Canadian companies to diversify their markets, the discussions underscored Europe’s strategic importance as a leading economic partner. The European Union represents a significant growth opportunity for Canadian businesses looking to expand internationally, thanks to its stable business environment, market size, and leadership in innovation and sustainable development.

The Canada-Europe Conferences also highlighted the economic strength of Saint-Laurent and the Town of Mount Royal, two areas that together generate nearly 10% of Québec’s gross domestic product and rank among the province’s key economic engines. Combined, they are home to more than 6,000 businesses active in strategic sectors including aerospace, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, technology and logistics. These sectors play a critical role in Québec’s competitiveness and export market development.

Hosting the event at Jadco’s headquarters also reflected the economic vitality of the territory. A major Québec real estate company and a leading economic player in the Saint-Laurent borough and the Greater Montreal area, Jadco actively contributes to a business ecosystem that supports investment, innovation and economic growth.

Discussions addressed growth prospects for Canada-Europe economic relations, support strategies for exporting companies, international investment attraction, and opportunities for collaboration among economic stakeholders on both sides of the Atlantic. Experts and decision-makers from government, diplomatic and business circles took part in the discussions to identify concrete ways to expand trade.

Québec Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie Christopher Skeete, the Honourable Stéphane Dion, Diplomat in Residence at the Université de Montréal, and several representatives of organizations dedicated to economic development, exports and investment attraction attended the conferences. The program also included panels on the potential of the European market for Canadian companies and on prospects for strengthening the Canada-Europe economic partnership.

Quotes
“The Canada-Europe Conferences confirmed what we have long known: Saint-Laurent and Mount Royal are not only local economic territories, but players with international reach. With more than 6,000 businesses active in strategic sectors such as aerospace, life sciences and technology, our business community has everything it needs to seize the opportunities offered by the European market. This event was a concrete first step toward building those bridges, and we intend to continue that work.” — Caroline Casabon, Executive Director, Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Saint-Laurent–Mont-Royal

“The Catalonia Trade & Investment Office in Montreal, ACCIÓ Montreal, has been working for more than 25 years to build lasting ties between our two ecosystems by developing strong business relationships, encouraging investment on both sides of the Atlantic and fostering technological collaboration. After personally dedicating 19 years to this work, I am convinced that the Canada-Europe/Québec-Catalonia partnership is an essential driver of innovative, resilient and shared prosperity.” — Geneviève Abbott, Director, Catalonia Trade & Investment Office in Canada

“Market diversification through exports is a key driver of growth and resilience.” — Miranda Gimmillaro, Director of Export Services, International Commissioner

“Canada’s popularity in Europe has never been higher. Now is the time to build on that momentum and fully integrate Europe into business development strategies. This approach will allow Canadian companies to diversify their markets and strengthen their competitiveness on the global stage.” — Sam Ayoub, President, Canada-Europe Economic Chamber

“As an agency rooted in both Québec and France, we see every day that closer economic ties between Canada and Europe are no longer optional, but a strategic necessity. At Hélios, our role is to support European companies seeking to establish themselves in Québec, as well as Québec companies looking to Europe, by helping them turn their international growth ambitions into lasting, value-creating partnerships on both sides of the Atlantic.” — Cynthia Hamel-Gamache, Founder and President, Hélios Communication-Marketing 360

About the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Saint-Laurent-Mont-Royal
The Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Saint-Laurent-Mont-Royal brings together businesses, institutions and economic partners from one of Québec’s most dynamic territories. As the voice of the business community, it contributes to the economic development of Saint-Laurent and the Town of Mount Royal by fostering networking, innovation, business growth and the territory’s visibility nationally and internationally.

SOURCE Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Saint-Laurent-Mont-Royal

CLEVELAND, June 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In a little over a month since its initial announcement, over 50 CLE DMA schools have signed on to experience a rebirth in coverage for all school athletics and extracurricular activities, with a dozen more in the onboarding process. DistrictWON is fully funding this effort to ease any financial burden for schools.

“We will now be able to publish real-time stories about everything from marching band to all girls’ sports, to speech and debate competitions and much more.  We look forward to our students participating in this process and along the way gaining incredible experiences through active journalism, media, tech and much more.” says Erich Frombach, Avon Schools Athletic Director.

uReport has earned important recognition with 1EdTech TrustedED Apps Certification for Data Privacy by undergoing an in-depth review of our data privacy policy. This recognition highlights uReport’s commitment to safeguarding student and educator data while providing schools with a trusted platform for storytelling, communication, and responsible AI use. This adds to uReport’s original listing within the ISTE Learning Technology Directory (International Society for Technology in Education). 

“School leaders are paying attention to what is happening in our market.  It is special to bring back coverage to thousands of events long forgotten and to provide exposure for activities that have never experienced the limelight. Those students and their stories need to be heard and are important to get into the community,” says Peter Fitzpatrick, CEO of DistrictWON, “The platform is best-in-class and schools can get their students involved in the coverage of everything, providing real-life experience and having lots of fun along the way.”

To learn more about uReport and coverage in the Cleveland DMA see this video:

DistrictWON – Supercharging Your Coverage

School administrators such as Principals, Communications Directors, Technology Administrators, Superintendents, or Athletic Directors can contact uReport Director of Customer Success, Dan McGrath: 216-647-3857; dmcgrath@districtwon.com to enroll or self-start easily here: www.ureport.com/neo

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SOURCE DistrictWON