Monday, November 30, 2015
Stratford – World AIDS Day is on December 1, 2015. Volunteers with the Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (RHAC) will be hitting the streets of Stratford as part of the Red Scarf Project. Since 2012, community members have donated their time to knit or crochet red scarves and distribute them throughout cities across Southwestern Ontario to raise awareness.
“The red scarves are enlarged versions of the red ribbon, the international symbol of AIDS awareness,” says Brian Lester, executive director of Regional HIV/AIDS Connection. Approximately 72,000 Canadians are currently living with the illness and approximately 30% of those individuals do not know their HIV status.
People who find the red scarves in the Stratford city centre are encouraged to wear them, take them home, read the attached information tag, and spread the important message of awareness. Included in the information tag is information about the Perth District Health Unit’s Sexual Health Clinic, which offers free HIV testing for people who reside in Perth County.
RHAC volunteers will be meeting at 8 am on December 1 at Revel Caffe, located at 37 Market Place in Stratford. RHAC volunteers will leave to distribute scarves between 8:15-8:20am.
Prior to this event, a World AIDS Day vigil will be taking place on Monday, November 30, to remember, honour, and celebrate those whose lives have been affected by HIV/AIDS. The vigil will take place from 7-8:30pm at the Community of Christ, located at 226 Forman Ave, Stratford.
For more information:
- Call Health Line at 519-271-7600 ext 267 or toll-free at 1-877-271-7348 ext 267
- Visit pdhu.on.ca – click on Sexual Health Clinics
- Follow us: twitter.com/pdhealthunit and www.facebook.com/pdhealthunit