World AIDS Day – A message from our Executive Director

Dear ACO Community Members and Partners,

Today is World AIDS Day, a day that has been globally recognized since 1988. It is a time of reflection, a day to honour and remember those who have passed on, a day to stand in support and solidarity with those living with HIV/AIDS, and a day to think about the work that lies ahead to someday eradicate HIV/AIDS.

It is estimated that last year, 1.5 million people lost their lives to AIDS-related causes across the world. Currently, there are 35 million people living with HIV/AIDS around the globe. Locally speaking, there are 3,600 people living with HIV/AIDS in Ottawa, and 71,300 people across the nation. Every 3 hours, there is someone infected with HIV in Canada. These statistics clearly indicate that we need to fortify our response to HIV/AIDS locally, nationally and globally.

We have to engage with our politicians and policy makers about the importance of strengthening our response to HIV/AIDS in our communities. We have to increase awareness about the impact of HIV transmission and stigma in our communities, and collectively we have to reaffirm our commitment to defeating HIV/AIDS.

This year’s theme/campaign for World AIDS Day is “Getting to Zero”, zero new infections, zero deaths and zero discrimination. Let us always keep this in perspective, as the ultimate goal to achieve in winning our fight against HIV/AIDS.

Please proudly wear your red ribbons and raise HIV/AIDS awareness through your networks.

Sincerely,

Khaled Salam

Executive Director

AIDS Committee of Ottawa

(613) 238-5014 ext. 234

khaled@aco-cso.ca