World AIDS day-December 1, 2011.
Since 1988, World AIDS day has been held every year on December 1st as a time for the world’s people, communities, and organizations to reflect, recognize, and act upon the HIV epidemic. In 2011, HIV continues to have a devastating impact on the lives of the millions of people infected and affected by the virus.
According to Canfar:
- In 2008, there were approximately 3,300 new HIV infections and the rates are steadily rising, while they have leveled in the U.S.
- 73,000 Canadians are HIV-positive.
- More than a quarter of Canadians who are HIV-positive are not aware of their status.
At ISHS, we believe in the power of education, testing, and treatment to prevent HIV transmission and are proud to:
- provide all types (including non-latex and external/insertive/female) of condoms and gloves and personal packages of water based lube for free at all of our locations
- offer non-nominal (testing w/o a client’s name on the sample) HIV blood testing by requisition
- offer education and information about HIV/AIDS
- support and refer to other amazing organizations such as AVI (AIDS Vancouver Island), VARCS (Victoria AIDS Resource and Community Service Society), and VPWAS (Vancouver Island Persons livina with HIV/AIDS Society)
5 ways you can support World AIDS day:
- Stop by our tables at Camosun College (lansdowne campus) and at UVic (MacLaurin Building). Get some info, a red ribbon, and barrier methods!
- Participate in the awesome community events taking place all over Vancouver Island. For a comprehensive listing, please check out AVI’s calendar of events.
- Use barrier methods and lube every time you have sex.
- Get tested and encourage the people in your life to get tested.
- Consider donating the great charities working to end HIV locally, nationally and globally.
