REGINA- Hundreds of people took the streets of Regina Sunday in support of those impacted by HIV or AIDS.
The 20th annual Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life drew in over 200 people who want to keep HIV and AIDS awareness top of mind.
HIV and AIDS has achieved significant national awareness, but more is needed, particularly here in Saskatchewan: the province has had the highest rate of infection per capita for the last five years.
“When we think about other provinces, British Columbia and the downtown east side, they’ve had HIV for many years but we’re still much higher in terms of rate per capita,” said Susanne Nasewich from the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region. “It’s not something we should be proud of and it’s not something many people are aware of either.”
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Across Canada, more than 65,000 people have HIV. Around the world more than 40 million people are infected, but many of those don’t have access to proper care or medication – and that’s a a problem even here at home.
“There are certain communities that are more affected. Usually it’s people that are less likely to be engaged and people who have less accessibility to health care who don’t feel they’re at risk,” said Nasewich.
“It’s not a death sentence anymore. People keep thinking if they have HIV they’re going to die,” said Bobbi Gelsinger, one of the event organizers. “It’s not true anymore – when you take medication you can actually increase your life expectancy.”
Gelsinger hopes by having this walk, the message gets through: “People need to get tested. It’s not the scariest thing in the world and the only reason you’ll know you have HIV is if you get tested,” she said.
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