AIDS Awareness Week 2013

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Ferdinand Ross
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1 AIDS Awareness Week is an annual worldwide event bringing focus to HIV/AIDS and developing awareness of the disease. Centres around the globe mark the week with a range of events culminating in World AIDS Day on December 1st. The AIDS Committee of North Bay & Area is proud to present the following itinerary of events that will be held in North Bay from November 24, 2013 to December 1st, DATE/TIME LOCATION EVENT Sunday, November 24, :30 am Monday, November 25, Monday, November 25, :00 am Monday, November 25, :00 pm Tuesday, November 26, :30 am Wednesday, November 27, :00 am Wednesday, November 27, :00 pm Thursday, November 28, :30 am Thursday, November 28, :30 pm. Friday, November 29, :00 am Friday, November 29, :00 pm Saturday, November 30-10:00 am. St. Andrew s United Church, Cassells Street Ÿ Ÿ North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit St. Andrew s Church Nipissing University Nipissing University Main Street, Ferguson Block Parkette Nipissing University Art galleries, tattoo studios throughout North Bay St. John the Divine, Anglican Church, Main St. HIV Education Coordinator Dennis Chippa to speak on HIV and Faith. Canadian AIDS Memorial Quilt sections (#14 & #76) Screening of Criminalization of HIV for clients, nursing staff and volunteers. (by invitation only) Continental breakfast provided. Information booth and activities. Fundraiser for the campus foodbank. Screening of River of Healing. Lunch & Learn (by invitation only). Screening of River of Healing for clients and volunteers. Continental breakfast provided. Information booth and activities. Fundraiser for the campus foodbank. Open to community. Special screening of The Criminalization of HIV. Lunch & Learn. (by invitation only) Ladies Let s Get Tested! Anonymous Point of Care HIV Testing for Women. (In partnership with the NBPSDHU). Official AIDS Awareness Week proclamation by Mayor Al McDonald. Red Scarf Project donated scarves to be tied along Main St. Information booth and activities. Fundraiser for the campus foodbank. Open to community. Day Without Art. Displays paying tribute to those lost in the global arts community to HIV/AIDS. HIV Education Coordinator Dennis Chippa to speak on HIV and Faith.

www.aidsnorthbay.com THE CANADIAN AIDS MEMORIAL QUILT www.quilt.

one who died from HIV/AIDS Ÿ Up to 8 panels make up a section Ÿ More than 75 sections in the CAMQ Ÿ has brought in 2

2 THE CANADIAN AIDS MEMORIAL QUILT Ÿ Canadian AIDS Memorial Quilt (CAMQ) made up of over 600 3' X 6" panels Ÿ Each panel is a memorial to a loved one who died from HIV/AIDS Ÿ Up to 8 panels make up a section Ÿ More than 75 sections in the CAMQ Ÿ has brought in 2 sections above for AIDS Awareness Week 2013 Ÿ The two CAMQ sections (#14) (#76) will be on display at the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit and St. Andrew s Church during.

3 Story Behind the Red Ribbon Where did the idea for the red ribbon as a symbol for HIV originate? In 1991 a decade after the emergence of HIV a group of 12 artists gathered to discuss a new project for Visual AIDS; a New York arts organization that raises awareness of HIV. They were photographers, painters, film makers and costume designers, and they sat around in the shared gallery space in New York's East Village. After a short brainstorm they had come up with a simple idea that later became one of the most recognized symbols of the decade - the red ribbon, worn to signify awareness and support for people living with HIV. Why was a symbol needed? When the artists sat down to work on this project, their aim was to get people talking about HIV. This was during a time where HIV was highly stigmatized and people living with HIV were suffering behind closed doors, some too scared to even tell their loved ones they were living with the virus. The artists wanted to create a visual expression of compassion for people living with, and affected by, HIV. The artists were inspired by the yellow ribbons tied on trees to denote support for the US military fighting in the Gulf War. Pink and the rainbow colours were rejected because they were too closely associated with the gay community, and they wanted to convey that HIV went beyond the gay community and was relevant to everyone. Red was chosen as it is bold and visible symbolizing passion, a heart and love. The shape was chosen simply because it was easy to make and replicate anyone can make one by just cutting out a piece of ribbon, looping it around your finger and pinning it on. How did the red ribbon become so well known? In the early days, the artists made the ribbons themselves and distributing them around the New York art scene and dropped them off at theatres. Initially there was a text that went with it, to explain why they were being worn, but eventually this was dropped as its symbolism no longer needed an explanation. Within weeks of the red ribbon idea being born, world-famous actors starting wearing the red ribbon to high-profile award ceremonies such as the Oscars and talking about why it was important. The media also caught on, and within a short space of time the red ribbon symbol became universally recognized. At the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert held at London's Wembley Stadium on Easter Sunday 1992, more than 100,000 red ribbons were distributed among the audience, with performers such as George Michael wearing one. The Red Ribbon continues to be a powerful force in the efforts to increase public awareness of HIV.

The Red Scarf Project Call for Knitters!

Red Scarf Project using the red scarves, made by our talented community volunteers.

People are encouraged to take the scarves home and any remaining scarves will be gathered and given to community members in need.

5 The Red Scarf Project Call for Knitters! - How You can get Involved During AIDS Awareness Week (November to December 1, 2013), the AIDS Committee of North Bay & Area will have a public awareness installation on Main Street called The Red Scarf Project using the red scarves, made by our talented community volunteers. Each scarf will include an information card and a red ribbon that explains the significance of the red ribbon and the ongoing issues related to HIV/AIDS locally. People are encouraged to take the scarves home and any remaining scarves will be gathered and given to community members in need. We are hoping to collect 100 red scarves and kindly request them to be knitted or crocheted using red yarn to approximately 6 inches x 60 inches (15 cm x 150 cm). If you have the capacity to purchase your own yarn and knit as a donation, please do. If you cannot afford to purchase you own yarn, we will provide yarn. If you re like some of us who can t knit to save your life, consider donating some red yarn or volunteering to help distribute them. Please have your generous donation of scarves completed and dropped off to our office by November 22nd. For more information on The Red Scarf Project, please contact Charlene Lalonde, Volunteer Coordinator at , ext. 205 or by at oaacnba@vianet.ca.

World AIDS Day Information Pack 2015

World AIDS Day Information Pack 2015 #WADmerseyside World AIDS Day In 1988 a summit of health ministers agreed that a united global effort was required to halt the spread of HIV. As a result, World AIDS