The 18th Annual Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life went this afternoon at Masich Place Stadium

Prince George, BC – Both organizers and participants were pleased with the turn-out to this afternoon’s AIDS Walk for Life at Masich Place Stadium…

A Front Line Warrior with Positive Living North, Marilyn, told the crowd, "I just hope it keeps growing and growing and that we keep causing the awareness that we do, because, boy, we’re never going to stop bugging people to learn more about AIDS and HIV.  Because we can make this come to an end for the up-and-coming generations, we’ve got to make it end." (Marilyn is at mic in photo at right)

PLN’s Front Line Warriors are all living with HIV and work towards making a difference by sharing their stories.  New to the group is Allan, who’s been living with HIV for 28-years.  When he was diagnosed, his doctor told him he had just five years to live. "I said ‘bah humbug’.  I’m here, I’m happy, and I’m going to keep going," he said.  "I’m just plain stubborn."

Allan said he used to be afraid of information, but now he shares what he knows at every opportunity.  "If I can reach one person, I know I can reach more.  It’s like planting a seed, it grows."

This year’s Walk Champion was former mayor, Dan Rogers.  "But it’s a bit of a false nomer because, frankly," he said, "All of you that are gathered here are community champions."

Rogers has attended almost every walk over the past 18-years.  He lost his brother, Nick, to AIDS.  "AIDS wasn’t who Nick was – he was a loving father, a caring son, and a very generous brother who faced many demons and challenges through his life."  Rogers said there are times he’s felt he could have done more, but he uses that as a motivator to get out and encourage others to become more aware about HIV and AIDS.

He urged participants to challenge themselves to go further, by speaking to co-workers, family, and friends.  "Speak to ensure that we have greater knowledge and understanding and reject one of those human frailty qualities called ‘judgement’ and ‘ignorance’ – and reject that in every opportunity that you have to live up to being a community champion."

Northern Health’s Regional Director of Preventive Public Health, Kathy MacDonald, built on Rogers’ challenge.  "It’s estimated that 25-percent of people who have HIV are not aware of it," she pointed out.

"How can people access care and treatment if they don’t know they need it?"  MacDonald queried.  "The new guidelines for HIV testing is that everybody gets tested – it will help break the silence, it will help break the stigma, and it will help decrease the virus."

MacDonald urged everyone to check out the new website for Northern BC, www.HIV101.ca, and "to get yourself, your families and your friends to get an HIV test."

Below, UNBC’s First Nations Drummers played two songs for the crowd