ATHENS, Ohio -- Barbara Samson, a woman who was infected with the AIDS virus as a teen, will speak at Ohio University on Wednesday, March 5, at 7 p.m. in Morton Hall room 237. Samson will focus on living with AIDS and the use of media to educate youth about the disease. Her presentation is free and open to the public and will be followed by a question and answer session.

At 17, Samson was admitted to a clinic for treatment of anexoria and became infected after falling in love with an HIV-positive recovering drug addict. She repeatedly attempted suicide after learning of her infection, but slowly developed the determination to battle AIDS. Samson's autobiographical book "On N'est Pas Bieux Quand On A Dix-sept Ans" (Nobody's Serious When They're Seventeen) describes her story. The book was a best seller in France and was translated into eight languages and made into a film for French television.

Ohio University telecommunications student Yoko Mori arranged Samson's visit. Mori read Samson's book when she was 17 and was inspired to begin a correspondence with the author and coordinate Samson's appearance at a 1998 AIDS conference in Japan, as well as to raise funds and coordinate her appearance at Ohio University.

"As a young woman, I could identify with the feelings expressed in Barbara's memoirs. This was a life-changing experience for me," Mori said. "I lost my mother when I was 17 to cancer and know the importance of life. I would like people of my age, and every age, to attend."

Because Samson is French, the Department of Modern Languages will provide a translator.

Samson's appearance is sponsored by over 15 Ohio University departments, local organizations and individuals.