1989–93: HIV-positive diagnosis and activism thumb|right|upright|Pedro Zamora (left) with Alonso R. del Portillo in 1993 In late 1989, in his junior year of high school, 17-year-old Zamora donated blood during a Red Cross blood drive. A month later, he received a letter from the Red Cross informing him that his blood tested "reactive", though it did not specify for what. Zamora decided to be tested for HIV, and on November 9, 1989, the results confirmed he was HIV-positive.Greenbaum, Kurt (February 5, 1992). "One Of Their Own, Teen-ager with AIDS Virus Cautions Students" . Sun-Sentinel. p. 1B thumb|right|upright|Zamora in 1993 His family was devastated but remained supportive. Zamora's goal was to graduate from high school before he died, and he did so in 1990.Winick (2000). pp. 49-56. Five months later, he suffered a severe case of shingles. Upon recovery, Zamora joined a Miami-based HIV/AIDS resource center called Body Positive. There he met others with HIV and AIDS, learned more about the disease and how he could still have a fulfilling life. Soon thereafter, he began to talk about his condition to others, wanting to raise awareness in his community.
1989–93: HIV-positive diagnosis and activism thumb|right|upright|Pedro Zamora (left) with Alonso R. del Portillo in 1993 In late 1989, in his junior year of high school, 17-year-old Zamora donated blood during a Red Cross blood drive. A month later, he received a letter from the Red Cross informing him that his blood tested "reactive", though it did not specify for what. Zamora decided to be tested for HIV, and on November 9, 1989, the results confirmed he was HIV-positive.Greenbaum, Kurt (February 5, 1992). "One Of Their Own, Teen-ager with AIDS Virus Cautions Students" . Sun-Sentinel. p. 1B thumb|right|upright|Zamora in 1993 His family was devastated but remained supportive. Zamora's goal was to graduate from high school before he died, and he did so in 1990.Winick (2000). pp. 49-56. Five months later, he suffered a severe case of shingles. Upon recovery, Zamora joined a Miami-based HIV/AIDS resource center called Body Positive. There he met others with HIV and AIDS, learned more about the disease and how he could still have a fulfilling. life. Soon thereafter, he began to talk about his condition to others, wanting to raise awareness in his community