HIV survivor Allan Mousseau – photo 250 News

Prince George, B.C. – Today is World Aids Day and to mark the occasion a vigil was held this afternoon at the Fire Pit Cultural Centre.

Hosted by Positive Living North, support services manager Shannon Froehlich says the disease is alive and well in northern BC noting this region has the second highest rate in the province with 120 people living with HIV/AIDS in Prince George alone.

“And then there are those that don’t know their status for being HIV/AIDS positive.”

During the vigil candles were lit and Froehlich read out the names of the 53 people she knows who have died from the infection.

HIV survivor Allan Mousseau has been living with the disease for 30 years and said society is much more accepting of HIV/AIDS than it was back in the 1980’s.

“It was horrible in the 80’s. Especially when some people wanted us put on an island just like lepers.”

He says he’s lost hundreds of friends and acquaintances to the disease over the years but notes things have really improved.

“Medications have really improved. There’s also a lot more places people can go for help.”