ACG hopes to encourage testing, awareness and donations for research
The AIDS Committee of Guelph and Wellington County (ACG) launched their annual AIDS Awareness Week campaign on Monday, Nov. 25. Week-long events designed to raise funding and awareness for those living with the degenerative disease will occur throughout the city of Guelph, culminating in a Nov. 30 fundraising dinner at the Red Papaya Thai and Grill downtown.
As a means of providing easy testing options to citizens, the ACG is encouraging those interested to go to Lakeside Hope House Thursday, Nov. 28 for an anonymous HIV/AIDS test. On-site nurses will also offer pre- and post-test counselling.
“Our main goal for the week is for the Guelph community to be aware that HIV…does [still] exist in our community,” explained Tom Hammond, executive director of the ACG. “Many lives are impacted by this illness in Guelph and Wellington County, and we still need individuals, communities, and leaders to take action and ensure that the human rights [of those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS] are protected and [that] global targets for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care are met.”
The ACG is a group that began as a task force in 1986, comprised of members from the Guelph Correctional Centre, the University of Guelph, The Ministerial Association, The Gay and Lesbian Community, Stonehenge Drug Treatment Centre, and Concerned Citizens.
“ACG is entering our 25th year of service in our community and continues to be committed to respond to HIV and AIDS locally,” said Hammond.
Among the services offered by the ACG are medical professionals, legal consultants, emotional counsellors, and dieticians to assist those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and their families.
“We will do our best to ensure that [those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS] receive the service that best suits [their] needs,” reassured Hammond. “This may include our volunteer drive to medical appointments, and financial assistance to help pay a bill…because of other expenses. We will visit [patients] at home or somewhere else in the community, [and] we may be able to help [them] access medication.”
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are diseases that affect over 34 million people globally. Half of those affected are women, and approximately 10 per cent of those affected are children under the age of 15.
Canada is home to approximately 0.3 per cent of all cases reported globally, but for those at the ACG that statistic is already too high.
“We dream of a time and place where everyone is free to live healthy, vital lives,” states the ACG website.
Though HIV/AIDS is a disease that infects all groups equally, the LGBTQ community has been the hardest hit since the discovery of the disease. In response to this information, and in an effort to prevent the further spread of HIV/AIDS in both the LGBTQ and heterosexual communities, the ACG provides free information sessions for those interested.
“It is important to know that we also respond to a variety of other issues including homophobia, other sexually transmitted infections and Hepatitis C – to name a few,” explained Hammond. “Our main objective is to assist individuals and communities to manage the social effects of HIV.”
The ACG plans on ending the week with a discussion on HIV/AIDS at the Planet Bean Coffee Bar on Dec. 1, which is World’s AIDS day.