My dearest friend contracted AIDS and died.
When I first met Brett it was long before anyone had heard of HIV or AIDS. Brett was so different to me but from the start we felt a special bond that through the years became a friendship that was wonderful.

A career in mainstream medicine was cut short when his HIV + status was discovered. Many people would have, many have, given up all hope. Now Brett, had found a new goal and as with everything he did, he approached this unknown disease with skill and determination.

Brett was a brilliant researcher, writing many articles for publication in medical jounals. His articles and conference presentions were respected world wide. As Senior Scientist and later as Doctor Brett Tindall, he was Head of the Clinical Research Unit of NCHECR.

The progression of his illness had little effect on his ability to work. Suffering from side effects of medication, as well of many illnesses which may have, at any time, ended his life, Brett continued working though pain and discomfort until he was no long able.

Those of us who were blessed with having worked with Brett, his friends and family gathered to farewell a wonderful friend. In his farewell to us, read at his funeral, the Brett we all knew did not fail to make is laugh.

A void was left on his death, both in our hearts and in the research community, still we do what little we can to find a cure for this terrible disease.
AIDS Research can be tough but as you meet so many incredible people, we fight on. As well as being a small part of me, this is a tribute to Dr Brett Tindall.

This is from The Wind In The Willows, a favourite piece of Brett's.

"Who can tell?" said the Badger. "People come - they stay for awhile, they flourish, they build - and they go. It is there way. But we remain. There were badgers here, I've been told, long before that same city ever came to be. And there now there are badgers here again. We are an enduring lot, and we may move out for a time, but we wait, and we are patient, and back we come. And so it will ever be."