Big North JUNE 2012
Sheep Days held at Huble Homestead recently B4
FREE PRESS
Northerners urged to get tested for HIV/AIDS Delynda pilon newsroom@pgfreepress.com
The video flashes through scenes of people, some of whose faces are well-known in the city, discussing some quick facts and fallacies about HIV AIDS. It’s interesting, but when the scene changes and one young lady starts speaking, it becomes riveting, raw and honest. Brave enough to let out the pain she lives with because of the stigma attached to her disease, she tells everyone that just because she has the disease she is not garbage. The roomful of people gathered to celebrate the launch of the STOP HIV/AIDS education and awareness campaign in Prince George are quiet. The presenter admits to biting the inside of her cheek when she watches the frames slip by. Though she’s seen it a number of times, it can still bring tears. STOP in this campaign stands for Seek and Treat for Optimal Prevention and is running from 2010 through to 2013 in B.C. It will focus on increasing HIV testing and early treatment for all ages groups. De Ly nd a PILON/ Fre e Pre s s It is estimated that about 25 per Vanessa West, executive director of Positive Living North, was one of the community partners who spoke during the cent of those with AIDS don’t know launch of the STOP HIV/AIDS campaign. it, and are responsible for 75 per rounds this disease,” said Dr. Abu across the north,” he said. many effective new treatments. “If you cent of new infections. Hamour, an infectious disease specialist This will be done in an effort to reach are treated early you are less likely to Dr. Ronald Chapman, chief medical people living from major centres to those in Prince George. “But we’d like to break pass the virus on and there is a greater health officer for Northern Health, said living in the smallest, most remote town. down barriers and talk openly about potential for your own life.” earlier the early detection of AIDS will HIV and AIDS.” “We know that HIV/AIDS is a difRemoving the stigma and normalizing improve patient care. Testing and treatment for the disease ficult subject for many people to talk those with HIV is also a goal, he said. “Times have changed. Treatments will be available throughout the North. about. We know that stigma still sur“You will see our messages stretching have changed,” he said, adding there are
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