The first ever Scotiabank AIDS WALK to tHrIVe raises $156,000 and counting
September 26, 2016 - Vancouver, BC: A lively and dynamic crowd of close to 1,000 participants and 200 volunteers gathered at The Roundhouse Community Centre and made their way on foot to the Malkin Bowl on September 25th to raise money for people living with HIV (PLHIV) in British Columbia as part of the inaugural Scotiabank AIDS WALK to tHrIVe. Through their enthusiastic efforts, a total of $156,000 and counting has been raised.
After 30 years, WALK organizers changed the format of the event to include a health, wellness and music festival to raise money for Positive Living BC's Community Health Fund (CHF) and to celebrate a healthy new attitude in HIV community. The CHF supports people living with HIV in BC by providing access to health care services and products that aren't covered by other plans, such as vitamins, supplements, bottled water and over-the-counter medications.
Although HIV is now a condition that can be controlled by medication and PLHIV are experiencing a greater chance at a healthy, long life with the virus, the need for HIV health services is still great. There are approximately 13,000 HIV-positive people living in British Columbia, and many depend on services like the CHF to maintain their health. Says Positive Living BC Chair, Neil Self, “We have newly diagnosed members walking through the door every day. People need to be aware that living with HIV can be a struggle every day.”
Positive Living BC thanks the walkers, volunteers, donors, sponsors and performers who supported the Scotiabank AIDS WALK for tHrIVe. The Society also extends gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the event over the last three decades, helping to support health for PLHIV in this province.
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Contact:
Adam Reibin, Director of Communications
Positive Living Society of BC
604.612.0222
Positive Living BC is a registered charitable society dedicated to empowering persons living with HIV disease and AIDS through mutual support and collective action. It is Western Canada's largest AIDS organization with a membership of more than 5,700 HIV-positive full voting members. Our services and programs are available to, and regularly accessed by, many of the 12,000-15,000 HIV-positive individuals living with BC.
"Reproduced with permission - POSITIVE LIVING BC"
POSITIVE LIVING BC
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