'The London Patient' who was cured of HIV reveals his identity

Adam Castillejo, the second person ever to be cured of HIV, has decided to reveal his identity, the New York Times reports. Castillejo was known thus far only as "The London Patient" and was introduced as such last year after scientists revealed that he had been completely cured of HIV after receiving bone marrow transplants to treat his lymphoma. The procedure was intended to cure his cancer, but cells from the donor turned out to be carrying a mutation that impeded HIV's ability to infect Castillejo's cells. Castillejo is now choosing to reveal his identity, he tells the Times, as his doctors are now more sure that he is indeed HIV-free. Castillejo also said he realized his story is one of optimism. “This is a unique position to be in, a unique and very humbling position,” he said. “I want to be an ambassador of hope.” Only one other person, Timothy Ray Brown or "The Berlin Patient," is also known to have been successfully cured of HIV.