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AIDS PEI Announces Closure of Needle Exchange
AIDS PEI deeply regrets the closure of the province's only needle exchange program, effective January 1, 2009. The closure is primarily as a result of a lack of funding. AIDS PEI received $5,000 from the City of Charlottetown earlier in 2008 for the program; however, that funding is now exhausted and there is no additional funding for the program available.
"While we appreciate funding from the City of Charlottetown, it is not there jurisdiction. The needle exchange programs is a provincial health program and funding needs to come from the province so that we can purchase the required supplies and, ideally, hire a full-time harm reduction coordinator. Currently, we have two staff members and this is simply not enough. Our funding from community health only funds operational expenses and this is quite limited" said Mark Hanlon, executive director of AIDS PEI. "We need the province to step in and support us".
AIDS PEI is diligently working with the province and the city to fund the future of the program; this still leaves the organization without any funding until at least March of 2009 when various budgets are passed.
AIDS PEI has begun informing clients of the intended closure and will release more information as it becomes available.
Clients should call 566-2437 to find out more information. Privacy and discretion are assured.
More Coverage:
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Read our press release in the December 3rd issue of "The Guardian".
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End of P.E.I. needle exchange worries health officer (CBC News)
2008 World AIDS Day Vigil
Mark Hanlon, right, executive director of AIDS P.E.I., and Troy Perrot, client liaison and education co-ordinator for the organization, pose with a block from the Canadian AIDS Memorial Quilt at St. Paul’s Church in Charlottetown Friday. Each block in the quilt memorializes the life of a person lost to AIDS. Guardian photo.
Officials of AIDS P.E.I. have planned a week full of activities starting today to commemorate World AIDS Week 2008. Details of the week’s events were unveiled at a news conference in Charlottetown Friday.
The week’s activities will culminate in a World AIDS Day Vigil planned for St. Paul’s Church in Charlottetown Dec. 1 at 7 p.m.
Billed as a Service of Lament and Hope, the vigil will include prayers and musical selections and will involve a number of people from across the province. Archdeacon John Clarke, rector of St. Paul’s Church, and Mark Hanlon, executive director of AIDS P.E.I., will be among those taking part in the service.
During the service, participants will be able to view a block from the Canadian AIDS Memorial Quilt. Each block of that quilt memorializes the lives of individuals who have passed away from HIV/AIDS. The quilt block is currently on display in the church hall.
Officials of AIDS P.E.I. say more Islanders need to know about the extent to which HIV/AIDS touches the people of this province. “The perception exists that few people on this Island are currently living with the disease, Hanlon says. “That is untrue ... 47 people are known to have HIV/AIDS.”
And he said that number is much higher when you add those people who are carrying the disease but don’t know it.
Figures obtained from the AIDS Committee of Toronto website indicate that at the end of 2005, the last year for which there are detailed statistics, it was estimated that between 48,000 and 68,000 people in Canada were living with HIV, a number that includes those living with AIDS.Of that number 27 per cent were undiagnosed. The number of people in Canada newly infected with HIV in 2005 was estimated to be between 2,300 and 4,500.
2008 Walk a huge success
2008 AIDS Walk for Life a huge success
AIDS PEI is pleased to announced that the Scotiabank 2008 AIDS Walk for Life was a huge success. The walk was held on Sunday, September 21st and has raised over $8,00 in support of AIDS PEI programs, services, and harm reduction strategies. Cory Roach, this years Walk Coordinator says the walk is important to AIDS PEI. “The walk ensures that AIDS PEI can open its doors. It provides the necessary programs and services that are essential to support of people living with HIV/AIDS and prevention education.
Mark Hanlon, program director at AIDS PEI, says that community support has been overwhelming. “Our clients depend on these funds. They depend on us to be able to provide them with the supports necessary to assist them in taking control of their health and maintain a consistent standard of living.”
The 2009 AIDS Walk for Life will be announced early in 2009 and the staff of AIDS PEI will work hard to build on this year’s success and to engage the community to get involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
“I think many in Prince Edward Island are under the impression that HIV/AIDS barely exists in this province. The reality is that many people are currently living with HIV/AIDS and that’s only where it begins. Their family and friends are also affected. More still needs to be done to ensure AIDS PEI can ensure the rate of HIV/AIDS infection on the island are reduced” said Mr. Hanlon.
AIDS PEI welcomes new Executive Director
AIDS PEI welcomes new Executive Director
12 Days of Christmas Fundraising Campaign
(please note: your tickets will be sent via postal mail)
This has always been a very successful fundraiser for AIDS PEI and this year, we are setting the bar even higher to make this a record breaking year.
We are looking for people all over the Island to sell tickets for us and help us reach this objective. Every $5.00 ticket sold counts to the goal of $15,000.
If you are interested in selling tickets, call 1-800-314-2437 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.
If you would like to donate something to the draws, please let us know!
Last year, each day was valued at over $1200.00 and many people said that after winning, their Christmas shopping was now complete! The 12th day grand prize was worth nearly $2200.
Click here to download a copy of last year's prize list. More information on this year's event is coming soon!
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