Quiet fight continues against HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS Awareness, VicNews, letters, 1 Oct 2008

I was very happy to have read the Sept. 19 edition of the paper. I read about two very important fundraising events for HIV/AIDS, both for the global fight against AIDS.

I know how important the cause is, I also know that both organizations hosting the events are very good. However, it saddened me that I did not read anything relating to our local AIDS Walk for Life (Sept. 14) in any of the previous editions.

There was no coverage of the event and not even a mention of it to let people know when/where it was taking place and I know the information was sent at
Karen Dennis least two times to you. It worries me that our community seems to be reluctant or has "lost the fight" regarding this disease. I only hope it's not complacency.

This disease is still an issue in our own community. Individuals are testing positive every day in our region, province and country. Over 62,000 Canadians have HIV/AIDS and the scary part is many more are not tested.

It is not only intravenous drug users either. Gay men, heterosexual women, youth and the aboriginal community are still at high risk. Anyone who have even just once not used a condom are also at risk.

We cannot sit back and think we do not need to continue with education, services and prevention, including a growing need for services accessible to those who have been positive for years and are aging. We must continue to fight the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS.

Again this year, we only had a small number of people take part in the walk. Though the number was small, the hearts of those who spoke about their experiences living with HIV/AIDS equaled that of thousands.

We must continue to honour those who have paved the way for education, treatment and services. We must honor them by continuing to Walk for Life, educate and prevent new infections.

Karen Dennis
Executive Director, Victoria AIDS Resource and Community Service Society (VARCS)