Current statistics state that 7 new infections are discovered in Canada every single day. Approximately 75'000 Canadians live with AIDS today with an estimated 21% of those people being unaware of their infection. Also, according to The Canadian AIDS Society, government funding for HIV awareness has ended in Canada, leaving the big responsibilities of not only informing the public of the FAQs but also to still promote people to get tested up to individuals and supporting organizations.
By informing the public, you create awareness, help stop the spreading of it and also reduce the stigma associated with it!
Friday, December 1 was World AIDS Day and The Artists For Life Foundation had a whole day of events set up. This organization really has it down to a science. They bring awareness through celebration and they do it well.
This year the events began with a press release at The Alberta Art Gallery where they announced their newest partnership and 2018 beneficiary, Living Positive Through Positive Living.
They followed that with an evening candle light vigil on the West Lawn of the Alberta Legislative Grounds.
Following that, everyone headed over to Evolution Wonderlounge for some amazing drag and burlesque acts that were nothing short of phenomenal entertainers. I have never been disappointed by a show put on by the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose.
Joyce LaBriola, Artistic Director & Founder of AFL said:
"World AIDS Day is always a strange confluence of emotions for me - pensive, celebratory, inspired, mournful... and angry.
While advances in technology have led to amazing results and people living longer than ever, the stigma is stronger than ever and I worry that stigma isn't as "chic" to combat as death is. There's a bit of complacency in the media and community surrounding AIDS - I've heard people refer to it being "cured'. Yet the discrimination and judgement continues unchecked.
And that is why organizations like AFL are so important - if for nothing else, to give this issue voice"
And she is right. It is organizations like hers that bring new hope and light to the cause and are saving lives every day. They are doing the heavy lifting, now it is up to all of us to get informed and give out some compassion.
Creating Awareness Through Celebration on World AIDS Day