Mayor Don Scott proclaimed December 1 as World AIDS Day at the municipal council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 29.
The HIV North Society will be commemorating World AIDS Day on Friday, Dec. 1, through community engagement.
Studies from the Public Health Agency of Canada done in 2014 show that 75,500 Canadians have tested positive for HIV but just over one in five Canadians living with HIV are unaware that they are HIV positive.
Over 5,500 people in Alberta have tested positive for HIV.
In 2013, 255 Albertans tested positive.
In 2014, 282 Albertans tested positive with only one baby being born with HIV.
In 2014, 232 Albertans tested positive.
Nicole Sanders, community engagement coordinator with HIV North, told MyMcMurray that because people are unaware that they are HIV Positive it is difficult to get accurate statistics and at this time, there are not any numbers for the people living in the region with HIV.
“We really think it’s important the people need to be aware of it, there is still a lot of myths going around, how you can contract it, how you can go about prevent getting it and there is a lot of misinformation,” said Sanders. “That’s something we want to raise awareness to, and people living with HIV can live full and happy lives.”
HIV North works to lead Alberta’s north in the fight against HIV and support people living with HIV.
They work throughout the region and promote education, advocacy and harm reduction. Some of the services they offer include client support, before, during and post-test support, free presentations, safe sex supplies and needle distribution and disposal as well as community outreach.
They will be at the Christmas trade show at MacDonald Island on Friday, Dec. 1, and from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. at Peter Pond Mall and then at the Casman Center at 7:30 p.m. giving out red ribbons and accepting donations. The red ribbon is the universal symbol of awareness and support for people living with HIV.
Community members can show their support by wearing red or a red ribbon and posting a photo to social media using the hashtag #whyredymm for a chance to win a prize.
