1024 10 13640 https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/17/2678/1994_reACT-Believe_vol7no2_2.pdf 562be000bba3419f295b87946d3988cf PDF Text Text reACT-Believe AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Spring 1994, Volume 7, Issue n P.0. Box 24025, Downtown North Postal Outlet Thunder Bay, Ontario P7A 4T0 (807)345-1516 AIDS Infoline 345-SAFE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE Boulevard is once again die sile lor the AIDS Commitlcc’s annual Fun Run/Plcdgc Walk. This will be the sixih time we’ve asked the residents of Thunder Bay to join us in a stroll or run and show their support for those affected by HIV/AIDS. In the past, we have been blessed by good weather and if that holds true for this year, we expect our largest turnout ever. The 5 kilometer course will start and finish at Birch Point which was very popular last year. There is not a nicer place to test your time or walk with friends than Boulevard. Sponsoring From All Walks of Life, in 1994 are: Molson Companies, Lakehead Travel and Canadian Airlines. Prizes will be awarded for best times in all age categories and for preselected mystery times. There will be refreshments afterwards, plus a chance to add your artistic touch to the Big Picture Project. From All Walks of Li fe is an appeal to recognise that HIV/AIDS has already affected all of us. We have lost many and it has changed our society. From All Walks of Life is also an appeal for your financial support. This agency depends more and more on local fundraising to maintain the level of service, it offers. We hope that all of our volunteers and members will take up the challenge and collect as much as they can. Small donations do add up to grand totals. If you collected pledges last year, we hope you will again. In 1993, thirty-four people collected over $3800. This year our goal is $5000. The person who returns with the most pledge money will receive airline tickets for two to Toronto. Pledge sheets are available with the registration forms and from our offices, call 345-1516. "One dollar at a time." Jennifer collected pledges going door to door in her neighbourhood, asking friends and strangers for whatever they wanted to give, one or two dollars maybe five and somtimes even more. She raised S600 in this way. You may have a different approach. It doesn’t matter. Whatever is comfortable and works for you. The funds collected help directly on the front lines of the fight against AIDS in Northwestern Ontario. So help make this year’s Fun Run/Pledgc Walk an unprccendented success. Join with your friends and neighbours on June 11th at Boulevard Lake. And help us prove, " The answer to AIDS is a caring community." Your registrarion form is on the last page of this newsletter. Under the BINGO! Play. Work. Play. Win. Everybody wins. Once a month, ACT-B hosts a community bingo at the Diamond Bingo hall (570 South Syndicate Avenue). Over the years, this once monthly night has generated thousands of dollars for ACT-B services. It is a crucial part of our regular fundraising. We invite you to participate. Come out and play (every night there are over fifty winners and somebody goes away with $ 1,000). So come out and play. That helps our attendence figures. Or come on down and be a volunteer for a night. Tasks are simple (if you can make accurate change, you are already well trained as a bingo volunteer!). Volunteers arc asked for five hours of time. Bingo volunteers arc special. ACT-B hosts an annual appreciation event just for our bingo helpers. We need your help. Come on down to play or to help die players. We’ll all win. �DEAR DIARY I went to the doctor a few months ago. I quizzed him about some blood work that I had done in October of last year. He said I probably didn’t want to know the results. For posterity sake I enquired about my dreaded T4 count. It was a meagre "10". What is the norm? "1400". Who cares I say! In 1993.1 can remember at least 16 people who died of some AIDS Related Horror. I wonder what their T4 counts were. T4 counts are something that doctors use to gauge how well our immune system is at fighting infections. Three weeks ago I changed my entire drug regime. Lets sec, I quit AZT. Aeylovir, Hypericum, Keloconazole and those wonderful Monostat 7 suppositories. You might ask, wliat is keeping the "girl" alive? The magical properties of prescription drugs and Ativan. Although in the past and present, I have identified myself as a recovering addict, so resorting to Ativan takes a lot of thought. After five years of supporting the nice people at Wellcome Burroughs I found that I was still alive after taking AZT. I can think of at least 20 friends that have succumb to the toxicity of AZT alone since 1986. About a year and a half ago, I started using Aeylovir (200mgX3). Having found out recently that this dose contains lactose, to which I am intolerant, I decided to cease this too. This was replaced by Acyclovir 300mg X3 which are lactose free. Ketoconazole and Monostat 7 go together and were replaced with Fluconazole. I should have been using this well over a year ago. My doctor at the lime was cost conscious. So what if my entire digestive tract was being eaten away by Candida. Save the government a few bucks, he’s expendable, he’s going to die anyway. Oh, if I were only someone important. Say the nephew of one of those provincial plugs who are in power presently. Or even better, a distant relative of that Chretien fellow, or "Brian". Remember him, he made our drugs cost more. He probably got a kickback from the drug companies on the way. Most recently I have considered amputation of part of a finger on my right hand. I could mail it to one of tliose provincial plugs 1 was talking about earlier. There is only one drug that will arrest this infection and it’s not covered. The doctor informs me that it could take 3 months to get this on a section 8 of the ODBP. Meanwhile tire pharmacist says it will take 6 weeks to 6 months for this medication to take effect anyway. Maybe my whole arm will fall off and I can bang on the door at the War Amp Society and get a replacement or two. While for the winter and tanned for the summer. Maybe they will even install accessories. You know, a cigarette lighter in the index finger, a cordless screwdriver in another, or maybe they could give me retractable eating utensils (Swiss Arm;y Knife etc.). Oh, well none of this seems to apply anyhow. 1 have strikes against me from the start. I’m just another poor fag that those moralistic fanatics would like to toss into die fire anyhow. Oh, and my attitude has gotten me into trouble in the past. Years ago they used to look at me and say "you’re Angry". Come back when you have a handle on things. Well everyone, wake up and smell the roses. What you see is what you get! I didn’t ask to have AIDS, it happened before the world knew about AIDS. People in my age group never had a chance. That doesn’t make us any different than those poor innocent victims dial got HIV from a Blood Transfusion. You know, the acceptable way of acquiring HIV. There will be no memorial service for me when I’m gone. I have stipulated that in my will. If people don’t like my attitude while I’m alive I’ll be dammed if I want diem at a memorial service when I’m gone. page 2 So if you want to know me you will have to start soon, for time wails for no man. And be aware that Iggy and Pooh(my partner) take the majority of my time as it is. How to pul a lifetime into an 8 year relationship? Perhaps I’ll be around for the cure. Some days 1 feel like I’m holding my breadi for nothing. Today I’m alive so don’t treat me like a corpse. I’m so sick of "hows Ron doing". Ask me yourself for god sake. My brain cells are still intact. But don’t ask unless you want to know. For 1 just might tell you how it really is, without the candy coadng. Time to go, Poohs getting hungry and life goes on for another day. Sincerely Yours Ronald H. Rogers Person (Having, With, Living with) AIDS Thunder Bay, Ontario. GLOSSARY A l l VAN used to treat anxiety and tension. May be addictive and create dependence. AZT (also known as Retrovir or Zidovudine) This is a Nucleoside Analog, that is suppose to kill or stop the rcplicauon of HIV in the body but will not kill chronically infected cells. ACYCLOVIR (also known as Zovirax) This is a prophylactic against recurrent herpes simplex virus. HYPERICUM (also known as St. John’s Wort) is derived from the St. John’s Wort plant and has shown to have anii-HIV activity in the test tube, a synthetic form is now in clinical trials. KETOCONAZOLE (also known as Nizoral) used as a prophylactic for candidal infections. MONOSTAT 7 a vaginal suppository to treat yeast infections, has been used by some people orally. �ACT-B ADVISORY COUNCIL Fred Rail Belli Huston Vivian Johnston Dr. (Jordon Milne Bob Richardson Nicky Titllcy Derek Zulesky Director, Public Health Laboratory Director of Administration, Kinna-weya Legal ClinicPublic Health Nurse, Thunder Bay District Health U nit Family Physician Co-chair, Businessman Supervisor or Infection Control, Port Arthur General Hospital Co-chair, Health & Safety Officer, Lakehe3d Board of F.ducation Join us. Become a member! Members set our course at Annual Meetings. They are kept up-to-date about our work. They elect the Board of Directors who keep that work on track. Membership form. Name: ACT-B BOARD OF DIRECTORS Rick Atkinson Sarah Bunn A. Downcy-Baxler Mahlon Inkster Gail Linklaler Ed Prinselaur Bob Richardson Diane Roberts Ron Rodgers Pius White Derek Zulesky Address: Treasurer Director Director Director Postal Code: Telephone^ Enclosed is: President Director Director Vice President Director Director Secretary Mail to: AIDS COMMITTEE OF THUNDER BAY P.O. Box 24025 Downtown North Postal Outlet Thunder Bay, Ontario P7A 410 ACT-B STAFF Chrisla Alsch David Relrose Sheila Berry John Books Darylc Dollan Lawrence Korhonen Ian Ritchie Michael Sobol a $ 10 Membership Fee S 25 Supporting Membership S Donation Secretary Education Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator Fundraising/Communicauons Support Service Coordinator Office Manager Support Worker/Health Promoter Executive Director To be eligible to vote at the Annual General Meeting, your membership must be up-to-date (30 days prior to the meeting). The A.G.M. Is In November. Please renew your membership now. Please address any comments on rcACT-Believe to: P.O. Box 24025 Doniow-n North Postal Outlet Thunder Bay, Ontario P7A 4T0 The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay acknowledges and thanks our various funders: (807) 345-1516 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 pan. : Ontario Ministry of Health : Health Promotion and Social Development Office, Ontario Branch, Health Canada : Ontario Trillium Foundation : All of the people involved in general fundraising and the support of many local businesses and individuals. John Books, Editor Mary-I.ynn Bragg, Assistant Edit Ian Ritchie, Editor of Treatment Pages The opinions and medical information offered by rcACTBelieve are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the stalf or Board of Directors of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay. Medical information offered by reACT Believe should be used with your own discretion. Please consult your doctor. Wc especially would like to acknowledge all those who contributed Art AIDS: in particular the many artists. Bearskin Airlines and McEachem Marketing also our thanks to W. Bowers for donating a fridge to the office. page 3 �CONDOMS, SAFER SEX AND ABSTINENCE Over the past couple of years there has been a growing assault on HIV/AIDS prevention education (hat stresses safer sex and the use of condoms. These attacks, from such groups as "Focus on the Family" suggest the unreliability of condoms, stale that there is no such thing as "safe sex", and promote abstinence as the only solution. It is important to address these issues, and offer a different perspective. First of all, in HIV/AIDS prevention work we do not presume to tell people what to do. We try to offer up-to-date, accurate information that will allow individuals to make their own behavioral choices, based on clear understanding of potential risk. We use the term "safer sex" to talk about a series of sexual options that reduce the risk of transmission of HIV and other STDs. In suggesting a range of choices for a person, we talk about abstinence as a viable option, especially for those who don’t feel ready for sex, or are not prepared to talk about it with their partners. For those who are sexually active, or may become sexually active, we do promote the correct and consistent use of condoms as the most effective way to reduce risk during intercourse. What follows arc facts about condoms, condensed from SIECUS Report, Oct/Nov. 1993. ARE THERE NEW STUDIES ABOUT CONDOM EFFICACY? Yes, good news about condoms was released in the summer of 1993 in die form of two clinical studies. The research shows that latex condoms are highly effective against the sexual transmission of HIV when used consistently and correctly during sexual intercourse. Both studies monitored people at extremely high risk for HIV infection, by studying heterosexual couples in which one person was HIV-positive and the other was uninfected. With repeated exposures to HIV, condoms proved to be highly effective for couples using condoms consistently and correctly. (For more detail on the studies and other references, contact ACT-B.) THF. TRUTH ABOUT LATEX CONDOMS The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention released an update report on the effectiveness of condoms in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) on August 6, 1993 (Vol 42, No.30). The updated information confirms the federal government’s 1988 recommendations for using condoms to prevent the transmission of HIV and STDs, and provides new information about consistent and correct condom use. PEOPLE WHO ARE OPPOSED TO EDUCATION ABOUT SAFER SEX ARGUE THAT CONDOMS BREAK ALL THE TIME. IS THAT TRUE? Condoms rarely break. When they do break, it is almost always related to user error rather then condom quality. Using oul-ofdalc condoms is a leading cause of breakage. Other common reasons lor breakage include finger-nail tears, exposure to heal or sunlight, reusing condoms, or unrolling the condom before putting it on. Mineral oil, the WHAT ABOUT OTHER STUDIES THAT INDICATE CONDOMS HAVE A HIGH CONTRACEFI1VE FAILURE RATE? None of the studies which indicate a high condom failure rate distinguishes between consistent and inconsistent condom use. Additionally, the most recent study which considers the difference between consistent and inconsistent condom use shows that pregnancy rates are estimated to be as low as 2% for couples who use condoms consistently and correctly. page 4 leading ingredient in oil-based lubricants such as baby oil, petroleum jelly and hand cream can cause a 90% decrease in condom strength after as little as 60 seconds exposure. IS IT REALISTIC TO THINK THAT PEOPLE WILL USE CONDOMS CONSISTENTLY AND CORRECTLY? Yes. The two new studies and several others clearly demonstrate that consistent and correct condom use is possible if the couple is highly motivated. WHAT ABOUT MICROSCOPIC HOLES IN CONDOMS THAT MIGHT ALLOW HIV TO PASS THROUGH? Laboratory studies prove that sperm and disease-causing organisms cannot pass through intact latex condoms. Sperm has a diameter of 3 microns (.003 mm). STD-eausing organisms are much smaller - from 1/4 to 1/90 the size of sperm. Still, laboratory tests show dial none can penetrate an intact latex condom. This includes HIV. Condoms are required to undergo demanding tests, including tests for holes before they are sold. If any holes are found, the condoms are discarded. WHAT ABOUT THE USE OF NONOX YNOL-9? Laboratory studies indicate that while nonoxynol-9, a foam spermicide, kills HIV and other sexually transmitted pathogens, there is no evidence that using it without the use of a condom is effective for preventing sexual transmission of HIV. Further, one randomized controlled trial among women identified as sex workers in Kenya found no protection against HIV infection with the use of a vaginal sponge that has a high dose of nonoxynol-9. None of die other barrier methods used by women, such as a diaphragm, a cervical cap, or the sponge has been proven effective �TREATMENT PAGES VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS INFORMATION AND DOSAGES GATHERED FROM DR. LARK LANDS, DR. CHESTER MYERS, DAVID BAKER AND RICHARD COPELAND AND THE BULLETIN OF EXPERIMENTAL TREATMENTS FOR AIDS (BETA). COMPILED BY IAN RITCHIE - SUPPORT SERVICE WORKER/HEALTH PROMOTER FOR PHA’S. THE FOLLOWING SUPPLEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM LOCAL HEALTH FOOD STORES. I AM CURRENTLY NEGOTIATING FOR A DISCOUNT ON BULK ORDERS WITH SUPPLEMENTS PLUS OF TORONTO IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THIS PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR MORE INFORMATION. ALL VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS SHOULD BF. FREE OF ADDITIVES AND PRESERVATIVES. ALL ADDITIONS TO YOUR PROGRAM SHOULD BE MADE IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN. THE AIDS COMMITTEE OF THUNDER BAY DOES NOT ENDORSE OR RECOMMEND ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SUPPLEMENTS. ALL ADDITIONS SHOULD BE MADE IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN. MULTIPLE VITAMIN- - SHOULD BE BIOAVAILABLE AND HYPOALLERGENIC - SHOULD CONTAIN CITRATES, PICOLINATES, ASCORBATE ETC. - SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE 50-100mg OF B6. B6 SHOULD BE IN FORM OF PYRIDOXAL PHOSPHATE RATHER THAN PYRIDOXINE. VITAMINS BETA-CAROTENE - 20 000-200 000/iuDAY - BETA CAROTENE IS CONVERTED INTO VITAMIN A IN THE BODY AS NEEDED. - NEEDED FOR WHITE BLOOD CELL PRODUCTION AND MATURATION. VITAMIN C - 5-20g/DAY - BOWEL INTOLERANCE VARIES BUT USUALLY WILL APPEAR AROUND 25-30g/DAY, IF THIS HAPPENS SIMPLY REDUCE INTAKE. - PROTECTS MACROPHAGES AND OTHER PHAGOCYTE FROM OXIDATIVE STRESS. ALSO MAY HAVE ANTIVIRAL EFFECT. VITAMIN A - POSSIBLY TOXIC AT MORE THAN 25 OUOiu DAY/LONG TERM. - SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN IF YOU ARE TAKING BETA CAROTENE. VITAMIN E - 800-1600 iu/DAY IMPORTANT IF ON AZT INCREASES DISEASE RESISTANCE. GREATER THAN 1200 iu/DAY CAN CAUSE �MINERALS SELENIUM - 50-200mcg/day - MORE THAN lOOOmcg/DAY CAN BE TOXIC - MORE THAN 200mcg/DAY MAY SUPPRESS IMMUNE FUNCTION. ZINC - 25-75mg/DAY - CONTRIBUTES TO FUNCTIONING OF IMMUNE SYSTEM KILLER CELLS. - EXCESS ZINC MAY PROMOTE YEAST AND BACTERIAL INFECTIONS. - SHOULD BE TAKEN WITH 2-4mg/DAY OF COOPER. OTHER SUPPLEMENTS GLUTATHIONE - 150 mg 3xDAY NAC - 1800-2000mg/DAY SHOULD BE DIVIDED UP TO 3x DAY CONVERTS INTO CYSTEINE. MAY CAUSE IMMUNOSUPPRESSION ABOVE 2g/DAY. COENZYME Q10 - 30-300mg/DAY IMPORTANT IN ENERGY FUNCTION. MAY FACILITATE NORMAL IMMUNE FUNCTIONING. GENERALLY CONSIDERED NONTOXIC. L-CARN1TINE - 3-6g/DAY - POSSIBLY REDUCES WASTING AND IMPROVES IMMUNE CELL PROLIFERATION. - GENERALLY CONSIDERED NONTOXIC. B12 - lOOOmcg 3xDAY (IM) SHOT. - COVERED BY ONTARIO DRUG BENEFIT PLAN (ODB). BE WARY OF TAKING ACETAMINOPHEN-CONTAINING MEDICATIONS SUCH AS TYLENOL TOXIC TO THE LIVER AND REVERSES THE EFFECT OF NAC. ALTERNATIVES INCLUDE ASPIRIN AND IBUPROFEN. REFERENCES: BAKER, DAVID RN MSN AND RICHARD COPELAND: "STAYING HEALTHY WITH HIV” 1993. G1LDEN, DAVID: "NUTRITIONAL INTERVENTION IN HIV DISEASE" BULLETIN OF EXPERIMENTAL TREATMENTS FOR AIDS , SAN FRANCISCO AIDS FOUNDATION, MARCH 1994. LANDS, LARK, DR: "NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENTATION NEEDS IN HIV INFECTION" 1994. MYERS, CHESTER, DR: "THE POSITIVE SIDE" WINTER 1993/94. �against HIV. ISN’T ABSTINENCE THE ONLY FOOLPROOF WAY TO PREVENT HIV INFECTION? Refraining from intercourse with infected partners is the most effective HIV prevention strategy. This is an especially important message lor young people. Periodic abstinence, however, carries risk for HIV infection. A 1988 National Survey of Family Growth found that 26% of people who believed they practised abstinence did not actually practice it consistently (i.e. they had intercourse). This fact has been interpreted as meaning that even abstinence has a 26% failure rate. Like condoms, for effective protection by using abstinence as a method, consistency is key. SO CONDOMS ARE CONSIDERED TO BE AN EFFECTIVE FORM OF PROTECTION? The Centers for Disease Control strongly support condom use for the prevention of pregnancy, STD and HIV infection. partners and the frequency of intercourse. Having received education was also associated wiLh more consistent condom use. Unfortunately, most programs are not very comprehensive and need to be improved gready. WHY WOULD GOVERNMENT PROMOTE CONDOMS WHEN THEY ARE NOT 100% FOOL PROOF? The CDCP states that consistent and correct condom use substantially reduces the risk of HIV infection during vaginal, anal, and oral sexual activity. The government promotes many other health behaviours that significantly reduce risk, but may not entirely eliminate it. Additionally, research has provided definitive evidence that using a condom is 10,000 times safer than not using a condom. WHY DID THE U.S. GOVERNMENT RECENTLY RELEASE RENEWED COMMITMENT TO ITS RECOMMENDATION FOR CONDOM USE? AREN'T PEOPLE ALREADY USING CONDOMS? Actually most sexually active people are not using latex condoms every time they have sexual intercourse. For example, a U.S. national study of heterosexual adults with multiple sexual partners found that only 17% of those surveyed reported using condoms all the time. WHAT ABOUT EDUCATION PROGRAMS ABOUT CONDOMS? A 1992 study reported in Family Planning Perspectives found that AIDS education and sexuality education for adolescents results in decreases in the number of sexual page 5 WHAT DOES "CONSISTENT USE" OF CONDOMS MEAN? Consistent use of condoms means using a condom with every act of sexual Intercourse from start to finish. WHAT DOES "CORRECT USE" OF CONDOMS MEAN? Correct use of condoms means the following: 1) A new condom is used every time a person has sexual intercourse, whether it is anal, oral, or vaginal Intercourse. 2) The condom Is put on after the penis Is erect and before it touches any part of a partner’s mouth, anus, or vagina. (If the penis Is uncircumcised, the foreskin is pulled back before putting on the condom). 3) The condom Is put on by pinching the reservoir tip, then unrolling It all the way up the shaft of the penis from head to base. (If the condom does not have a reservoir tip, pinch the tip enough to leave a half-inch space for the semen to collect after ejaculation. Air must not be allowed In the tip, otherwise the condom might break). 4) If the condom breaks during sexual Intercourse, the penis should be withdrawn Immediately, and a new condom should be put on the penis. 5) After the ejaculation and while the penis is still erect, the rim of the condom should be grasped between the fingers, and the penis with the condom on should be removed carefully so no semen Is spilled. 6) Water-based lubrication should be used to prevent condoms from breaking, oil-based lubricants such as Vaseline, baby oil, cooking oil or vegetable jelly should never be used with latex condoms. They can cause the condom to break. 7) Condoms should be stored in a drawer or closet, somewhere cool, dry, and out of direct sunlight. Changes In temperature, rough handling or age can make the latex brittle or gummy. Never use condoms that are damaged or discoloured, brittle, or sticky. Do not store them In a wallet or car glove compartment for a long time. �PFLAG - Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays Is someone you love gay or lesbian? A group is forming to support families and friends of gays and lesbians. This is a self-help group designed to promote understanding and foster a more supportive community environment. For more information, please contact Ian at 345-1516 or Brooke at 344-8834. 1 -800-268- Y O UT H Beginning May 1, the Lesbian, Gay, Bi Youth Line will provide toll-free peer support and information services within Ontario to, and concerning, youth of all cultures and abilities who may identify as lesbian/gay/bisexual/qucer/twospirited/transgendered. The lack of support for such youth is well-known, and is particularly pronounced in the isolation of Noriwestem Ontario. This service will not only provide peer support but be able to make referrals to appropriate local resources. The development of self-worth and esteem is vital to HIV/AIDS prevention work. Please help promote this service in your area, and contribute to the health of our youth. Call toll-free 1-800-268YOUTH. An Open Message... ...To Gay Men and Lesbians in Northwestern Ontario: With courage and compossion, gay men and lesbians have contributed to the community response to AIDS in Northwestern Ontario.Your efforts are making a difference, here at home and around the world. Take care of each other .take pride in yourself. Everyone Can Help You, your friends, neighbours, co-workers all of us together have been affected in some way by this global epidemic We can continue to care for each other in many ways, assist someone who is HIV positive, or work to increase awareness and understanding in our community To find out how you can help, contact the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay, the resource centre you can rely on. We share your concerns about AIDS. We are proud of the work we've done together. Call us or write: AIDS Committee of Thunder Bey (ACTB) P.O.Box 24025 Downtown North Postal Outlet thunder Boy. Ontario, P7A 4T0 (807) 345 1516 Krcvrd'Vtg msmirce?, and hi No1 In western Qrtorio Working Group ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Education Committee (ACTBED) In order to better move into the coming months and years, the Education Committee has been revived. With emphasis on social marketing, community development, and continuing outreach, we expect to use the committee to be a major part of the development of ACT-B education programs. Our target audiences include gay/bisexual men, youth, injection drug users, women, aboriginals among others. Immediate priorities are the first two, in line with the Ontario HIV/AIDS Plan to the year 2000. My hope is that the committee will develop and lake on prevention and education projects using a health promotion approach. This is your chance to get involved and make a difference. Call for details. Food Bank Well our Mother’s Cupboard food bank is gelling low again. If you wish to make donations to our food bank, please call lan or drop off your donations at the office. Thanks, Ian. This is a call for PHA’s to form a working group to organize this years "Positively Well Project". We hope to have 4 to 6 sessions this year. If you have an interest in this, please contact Ian at 345-1516. Women and HIV Project OAN Grants for PH A Projects Congratulations to Liz Walker, who has been named key contact person in Northwestern Ontario for the National Women and HIV Project. Liz invites all those women who are infected or affected to contact her for more information at (807) 345-4687. Or you can contact the project co­ ordinator Karen Potts of Edmonton at (403) 488-5742, fax (403) 488-3735. The Ontario AIDS Network is facilitating funding for regional PHA projects. There arc guidelines for how these grants are awared as well as application forms. Guidelines, forms and the application process were all reviewed and approved by the PHA caucus of the OAN. Information and materials are available at the ACT-B office. Phone 345-1516 and ask for lan. page 6 �The Shape of the Future At a board and staff retreat, held for a full day on January 29 and an additional evening on February 16, the possible future for ACT-B began to lake shape. Working with facilitator Karen Maki, the board and staff reviewed the strengths and challenges presented by the agencies current goals and objectives. This was followed by imagining what ACT-B should look like three years down the road. This lead to an exercise listing what actions/directions the agency should move toward. At the follow-up evening "sequel", facilitated by Keith Nymark, board and staff voted on what they believed the priorities should be for the coming three years. Top priorities were "Social Marketing and Self Promotion" and "Care For The Caregivers". These were followed by "Balancing the Budget", "Expanding Client Services", "Diversifying the Financial Base", "Community Development" "Maintaining Existing Services to Clients" and establishing a "Committee to Look At Physical Plant and Equipment Needs". These broad categories will be developed into more specific detail by the board and/or appropriate committees. These priorities will guide our practical evolution over the coming years. Michael Sobota THANKS The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay would like to thank all those who made Art AIDS: Put Yourself in the Picture, our first annual art auction, the success it was. We salute the assistance of Bearskin Airlines, CBQ Radio, the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, MacEachem Marketing, the many local businesses which contributed to the silent auction and our loyal and hardworking volunteers. We are especially indebted to over 50 of Thunder Bay’s finest artists and craftspeople who gave so Final Positively Well Session Dr. L. Lands and C. Myers The final session of the positively well program finished with a bang. Dr. Lark Lands and Dr.Chcstcr Myers gave a fantastic presentation on HIV and Nutrition. The pace was fast and a lot of information was shared. One of the most interesting pieces of information dial was reported was that for people who arc on Acyclovir 200mg tablets, as a prophylaxis and lactose intolerant you should switch to the 800mg tablets because the 200mg tablets of Acyclovir contain lactose but the 800mg do not. Dr. Lands also recommended: - a prophylaxis dose Acyclovir of 2400mg/day (consult physician). - B12 shot (Intramuscular 2cc). - Fluconazole for the treatment and prophylaxis of thrush instead of Kctoconazole. - a low fat diet instead of a high fat diet - use of Pcplimine or Nutrin 1.0 instead of Boost or Ensure, which contain sugar which in turn feeds Candidiasis. - recommends NAC 1500mg/day. All of the above treatments should all be done in consultation with your primary care physician. This presentation was extremely practical and full of useful information, we hope to bring them back again next year. Ian Ritchie generously of themselves. With a net revenue of $6,200, the auction was our most successful fundraising event ever. The winner of the Linda Lundstrom LaParka raffle was Sheclagh Lehmberg. Thanks also to Karen Ferland for organizing the Lappe Ski day in February. Doctor Double Bill and his talented staff need to be commended for another superb evening of entertainment in his tropical waiting room. This year’s Cabaret was irreverent, steamy and enjoyed by all. page 7 Volunteers and the STARS!! Our volunteers are as varied as grains of sand, patterns on snowfalkes, stars in the universe, each wonderfully unique. And I suppose, if I could count all llie volunteers throughout lime, they would number as many as the stars. Their deeds shine as tiny beacons in a world so busy, complex and sometimes dark. If I run the risk of sounding a little soppy about these special people, I mean to. For they are most valued and appreciated: by staff, and some arc staff, by clients, and some are clients, and by the Board, and all Board members are volunteers. Without our volunteers we could not keep up with increased demands on services and fundraising. We would not have seen our Buddy Program become a reality. We could not do so many things so well. So, in case you forget to stop and know how important you are and how brigliLly you shine in confronting HIV and AIDS in our community and area, lei me remind you and thank you for your support. You are special, very special. Thank you so very much. Sheila, Volunteer Coordinator Wi MEMBER O F T I I E THUNDER BAY LOTTERY COKP. SUPPORT Q lOJIfIT tICINCf * f 9 J J M S �L akehead T r avel A gency L td . Canadian molson © FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE Things you need to know: When: The race starts at 10 a.m. sharp, Saturday June 11. 1994. Registration Form Where: Boulevard Lake (Birch Point) Age (As of June 11)_____ Registration: To register, mall in your registration to the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay, P.O. Box 24025, Downtown North Postal Outlet, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7A 4T0. (Please do not send money through the mail.) Or, at the AIDS Committee office at 217 S. Algoma Street. Remember to sign the Liability Waiver and to indicate whether you would like a T-shirt or baseball cap. Race Kits: Race Kits can be picked up at the AIDS Committee office, on Thursday & Friday, June 9 & 10, between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. They will also be available on race day at 9:00 a.m. at Boulevard Lake. Divisions: Men and Women Junior under 20 Open 20 - 29 Senior 30 - 39 Master 40 - 49 Veteran 50+ Entry Fee: $ 15.00 - non-refundable. $2.00 for those under age 16 (no T-shirt or cap with lower fee). The Course: 5K course at Boulevard Lake. For more information, contact the ACT-B office at 345-1516. Name__________ Address_________________ City_____________________ Province/State__________ Postal/Zip Code _________ Phone ( )_____________ Club/School_____________ Gender: Male Female_ T-Shirt Size: Large_____ X-Large_____ or Cap:___ Liability Waiverplease read and sign In consideration of the acceptance of my entry. I for myself, my executors, administrators and assignees, do hereby release and discharge the race sponsors, promoters and organizers including all claims of damages, demands, and action whatsoever in any manner arising from my participation in the FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE 5K Fun Run/Walk. I attest and verify that I have full knowledge of the risks Involved in this event and I am physically fit to participate. Entry Deadline: Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m., Friday. June 9. 1994. No late registrations will be accepted. Signature (of parent or guardian if under 18) Sponsors: Make cheque payable to: AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Molson Companies, Lakehead Travel Sc Canadian Airlines. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource David Belrose fonds Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource reACT-Believe Vol 7 Issue 2 - Spring 1994 Subject The topic of the resource Organizations Health and Medicine Description An account of the resource Newsletter of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1994 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/17/2679/1994_reACT-Believe_vol7no3_2.pdf 42cfb189b6da0dc6c3e440d0b874e9d7 PDF Text Text reACT-Believe , Fall 1994 Volume 7, hue HI “ASK QUESTIONS. TALK ABOUT IT. BREAK THE SILENCE.” This year’s AIDS Awareness Week will focus on creating healthy altitudes about youth and sexuality and a positive social environment lor HIV positive youth. The 1994 slogan is: “Ask questions. Talk about it. Break the Silence,” I'hc key is to impress upon our commu­ nity the importance of providing youth with clear, complete and unbiased information on HTV/A1DS and sexuality. Recognizing that young people make important decisions every day, AIDS Awareness Week 94 is all about giving them the information and skills they need. Despite a basic knowledge of HIV/AIDS, young people today are not practising safer sex consistently. With 30,000 unplanned pregnancies and 75,000 cases of STD’s among Canada’s youth every year, we know young people are having unprotected sex, and also placing them­ selves at risk for HIV infection. Skills around confidence building, safer sex negotiation and condom use need to be developed among adolescents to help them deal with the important decisions they face. Infection is now spreading faster among the youth population (age 15-25) than it is in the general public in Canada. Here in Thunder Bay, we may still have lime to impede the spread of AIDS in this population if we act fast. This will depend largely on initiatives, like AIDS Awareness Week 94, that are focused AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay P.0. Box 24025, Downtown North Postal Outlet Thunder Bay, Ontario P7A 4T0 (807)345-1516 AIDS Infoline 345-SAFE specifically on young people. The week pesents a variety of interesting events. Information tables, as well as our ART AIDS MURAL will be on display at the college, the university and high schools The key is to impress upon our community the importance of providing youth with clear, complete and unbiased infor­ mation on HIVIAIDS and sexuality. " " during the week. The annual Candlelight Vigil and Tree Planting will again provide the community with an occasion for important reflection and emotional release. Another event appropriate to the week’s theme will be a youth “Coffee House” with the Regional Multicultural Youth Council on Friday evening, featuring entertainment and discussion. A “Women’s Healthy Sex Night” which will be held the following evening, prom­ ises to be a lively night for all involved. Details of these events will be available soon. Keep your eyes open for a sched­ ule of events in various publications around the city. Over the summer, youth outreach initiatives have been developed to include young people in the planning of AIDS Awareness Week. If yourself or any friends arc interested in participating please call Tara at the AIDS Committee. WEEK OPEN CALL TO ALL ACT-B MEMBERS CONCERNING THE 1994 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. The 1994 ACT-B Annual General Meeting will be held in November. An exact date and location have not yet been confirmed. To be eligible to vole at the AGM, you must have a valid current membership, or take out a new membership at least thirty days in advance of the AGM. Please check your membership card. If it does not say valid for the calendar year 1994, you’ve expired! GoodGricfl Hurry to renew your membership. Call ACT-B, drop in to our office, or use the handy membership form located elsewhere in this newsletter. �TED ROMANOWSKI Ted Romanowski, dedicated past board member and hard working volunteer, died on August 24, 1994. Ted was first appointed to the ACT-B Board in 1991 and re-elected to another term in 1992. During his time on the board he repre­ sented ACT-B at two Annual Meetings of the Canadian AIDS Society (in Halifax, 1992 and Montreal, 1993) as well as nu­ merous meetings of the Ontario AIDS Network. Ted was especially dedicated to fundraising for ACT-B’s Emergency Financial Assistance Fund. The Fund makes emergency financial aid available directly to people living with HIV/AIDS. He regularly assisted at agency yard sales, flea markets and monthly bingos. He played a key role in the visit of the Canadian AIDS Quill to Thunder Bay in the fall of 1992. Ted was named our Vol­ unteer of the Year in May 1993 and given a special tribuLe when he stepped down from the Board last November. He was a generous, kind and caring individual. We remember. STAFF CHANGES The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay extends generous thanks to Bart Johnston, who was on placement with the agency for the summer. Ban assisted our Support Services department, as well as staffed our phones and reception desk. We wish him well in his continued studies this fall. As well, we extend our appreciation to Tara Lewis, who has been our summer Education Assistant. Tara developed various education initiatives concerning t hunder Bay youth. She too will be reluming to school this fall (but will still be associated with ACT-B). We are pleased to welcome Sheila Berry, our new Support Services Coordinator, Jo-Ann Jacomb, our new Volunteer Coordinator and Tara Lewis, our 1994 AIDS Aware­ ness Week Coordinator. MINISTRY OF HEALTH CON­ SIDERING THUNDER BAY NEEDLE-EXCHANGE PRO­ POSAL Earlier this summer, ACT-B, together with other members of a local planning committee, completed a proposal for the establishment of a formal needleexchange program in Thunder Bay. The proposal had unanimous endorsement from various local agencies represented on the planning committee. It also received approval from the Board of the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. It has now been forwarded to the Ministry of Health for consideration. We are hopeful that this long needed program will soon be a reality in Thunder Bay. OPEN CALL FOR NOMINA­ TIONS TO THE ACT-B BOARD OF DIRECTORS The 1994-95 Board of Directors will be elected at the Annual General Meeting in November. This is an open call to anyone interested in serving on the Board. Consider joining a team of experienced and dedicated board mem­ bers. People living with HIV/AIDS arc encouraged to consider running for the board. If interested, call the ACT-B office: 345-1516 for an interview and in­ formation package. The Nominating Committee will consider applicants until November 1st. play and hopes to perform parts of it in our Safer Sex Cabaret. She regularly performs with the trio Broadway Bound! Jo-Ann brings a wealth of experience from her previous life as a "helping professional”. She spent 10 years working at various non profit agencies in Thunder Bay. Her last vocational challenge was instructing in the Develop­ mental Services Worker Program at Confederation College. She has also worked at the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Lakehead Association for Community living and Hogarth/ Westmount Hospital. Jo-Ann believes strongly in volunteering and is eager to meet all of the dedicated ACT-B volunteers. She is proud to be a member of the ACT-B crew and is ETERNALLY GRATEFUL that Sheila Berry is here to provide training and support In Memorium We remember with respect and appreciation: Kevin, Vivienne and Ted HELLO On August 2,1994, Jo-Ann Jacomb joined the ACT-B team as volunteer co­ ordinator. She comes to us from the “arts” community where her primary focus has been music and theatre. She graduated from Lakehead University with a Fine Arts Degree in Music, majoring in voice and also an Arts Administration Diploma from Confedera­ tion College. Jo-Ann won the 1992 “Thunder Bay’s Funniest Person” award. She has written and produced her own i QUESTIONS CREATING HE AITHY ATTITUDE S ABOUT YOUTH A SEXUALITY TALK ABOUT IT BREAK THE SILENCE AiDt AWAHNttt WtK* OCTOIH J-f. It«4 �ACT-B ADVISORY COUNCIL Fred Ball Beth Huston Director, Public Health Laboratory Director of Administration, Kinna-Aweya Legal Clinic Public Health Nurse, Thunder Buy District Health Unit Family Physician Co-chair, Businessman Supervisor of Infection Control, Port Arthur General Hospital Reverend, United Church, Council of Clergy Co-chair, Health & Safety Officer, Lakehead Board of Education Vivian Johnsluri Dr. Gordon Milne Boh Richardson Nicky Tittlcy Don Uhryniw Derek Zulcsky ACT-B BOARD OF DIRECTORS Treasurer Director Director Director President Director Director Vice President Director Director Director Secretary Rick Atkinson Sarah Bunn A. Downey-Baxtcr Mahlon Inksetter Guil Linklater Ed Prinselaar Bob Richardson Diane Roberts Ron Rodgers Rob Shepherd Pius White Derek Zulesky ACT-B STAFF Christa Alsch David Belrose Sheila Berry John Books Lawrence Korhoncn Tara I .ewis lan Ritchie Michael Sobola Jo-Ann Jacomb Secretary Education Coordinator Support Service Coordinator Fundraising/Communications Office Manager A.A.W. Coordinator Support Worker/Health Promoter Executive Director Volunteer Coordinator UNITED WAY SUPPORT ACT-B is the recipient of a 1994 United Way “New Initia­ tives” grant. This grant is specifically for ACT-B to increase library resources in the subject areas of abuse and family support. The amount is $450, and will be made available to us in January, 1995. This is a one time grant only. Our agency docs not currently receive on-going support from the United Way. We are grateful for this financial assistance, and thank the United Way. Gay and Lesbian Positive Alanon Family Group Meeting every Thursday at 6 pm. at the Unitarian House, 129 S. Algoma Street, back door. For details, call 344-5980. FAREWELL TO DARYLE After two years of service Daryle Dollan our Support Serv­ ices Coordinator has left to retire in the bush up in Armstrong. Daryle brought a lot of unique and interesting characteristics to the job. We all wish Daryle the best of luck. VITAMINS, VITAMINS, VITAMINS The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay has worked out an arrangement with “Buyers Club” to purchase vitamin and nutritional supplements. If you need further information concerning vitamins please contact Ian. Subsidies are available. Please address any comments on reACT Believe to: P.O. Box 24025 Dontown North Postal Outlet Thunder Bay, Ontario P7A4T0 (807) 345-1516 (9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) John Books, Editor Heidi Jeske, Assistant Editor lan Ritchie, Editor of Treatment Pages Tlie opinions and medical information offered by reACTBelieve are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the staff or Board of Directors of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay. Medical information offered by re.ACT-Believe should be used with your own THANK YOU The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay acknowledges and thanks our various funders; : Ontario Ministry of Health : Health Promotion and Social Development Office, Ontario Branch, Health Canada : Ontario Trillium Foundation : All of the people involved in general fundraising and the support of many local businesses and individuals. We especially would like to acknowledge recent donations from: Anita MacDonald, the students of McKenzie School, the Kidney Foundation of Canada, the Sear’s Employees Charity Fund, Bearskin Airlines and Sportop Marketing. 3 ��RESOURCE CENTRE The ACT-B Resource Centre Library is a collection of materials in a variety of formats containing information on HIV/AIDS and related issues. We subscribe to specific treatment information newsletters with the latest information on HIV/AIDS treatments. This information is available to everyone with a personal, professional or academic interest in HIV infection, AIDS or related issues. The Resource Centre Library is located at 217 S. Algoma Street, at the comer of Algoma and Cornwall. Come in and take a look from 9:30 to 5:00 weekdays. See what we have available. SOME RECENT ACQUISITIONS BOOKS AIDS Treatment News Volume 3 (Compilation) 1994 AIDS: A Global Health Crisis (Posters by Burroughs WcUcome) 1993 The Anarchist AIDS Medical Formulary: A Guide to Guerilla Immunology 1993 Dying With Dignity: Understanding Euthanasia 1992 The Essential Guide To Prescription Dmgs 1994 Living with Dying, Dying at Home (Care Team Resource Manual) 1993 Living With The AIDS Virus: A Strategy for Long-term Survival 1991 A Time For Caring: A Pastoral Approach for persons with AIDS 1989 Two Teenagers In Twenty: Writings by gay and lesbian youth 1994 Understanding Sexual Identity 1990 VIDEO A Time For Caring: Pastoral Care For Persons With AIDS 1989 30 min. Forefront: An HIV Update 1994 Edition 7 20 min. Forefront: An HIV Update 1993 Edition 6 20 min. Healthy Sex Cabaret (ACT-B) March 12,1994 Tapes 1&2 240 min. Homosexuality: What The Bible Docs And Does Not Say 1985 70 min. Nutrition And HIV Workshop: Lark Lands and Chester Myers Thunder Bay, Feb. 26,1994 Parts 1&.2 200 min. Scared To Death (homophobia) 1993 29 min. TREATMENT RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN ACT-B’S LIBRARY - PART 1 The following is a list of newsletters and journals that we subscribe to and are available either in our library or they can usually be found on Ian's desk. They are available to anyone but must be either read in the library or photocopied. If you need any more information or would like to read any current or back issues see Ian. AIDS Treatment News- Published twice monthly by John S. James out of San Francisco, Ca. Contains reports on experimental and standard treatments, interviews with physicians, scientists, other health care professionals and people living with HIV/AIDS. They also collect information from meetings, conferences, medical journals, and computer databases. Free to those who cannot afford a subscription. 1-800-TREAT-1-2 or 1-800-873-2812 Treatment Update Published monthly by the Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE) in Toronto, Ontario as a resource for individuals considering experimental treatments and/or therapies for AIDS and HIV - related illnesses. Free to those who cannot afford a subscription. 1-800-263-1638 Treatment Issues- Published monthly by The Gay Men’s Health Crisis in New York. Contains information on experimental AIDS therapies, new treatment therapies, information on approved and underground drugs, clinical trials and other information related to HIV/AIDS. This newsletter offers a sliding scale for PHA's. BETA- Published quarterly by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. This bulletin contains information on alternative AIDS and HIV research, meetings, conferences and clinical trials. 1-800-959-1059 Being Alive- Published by Being Alive, People with HIV/ AIDS Action Coalition, Los Angeles CA. This newsletter contains information on medical treatment, nutritional information and personal stories. Free to those who cannot afford a subscription. 1 -213-667-3262. Journal of the Physicians Association for AIDS CarePublished monthly, this journal contains information on conferences, new treatments and new drug therapies. In our next newsletter, Part 2 will contain treatment and health promotion books that are available in our library. 5 �AIDS AWARENESS WEEK 1994 CREATING HEALTHY ATTITUDES ABOUT YOUTH & SEXUALITY SATURDAY, OCT. 1,1994 Positively Well Speaker Francis Robichaud Lecture, video and discussion on DNCB for people living with HIV/AIDS MONDAY, OCT. 3, 1994 Tree Planting Ceremony - Marina Park 12 noon ART AIDS MURAL to visit high schools TUESDAY, OCT. 4,1994 ART AIDS MURAL at Lakehead University and Confederation College WEDNESDAY, OCT. 5, 1994 ART AIDS MURAL at Lakehead University and Confederation College THURSDAY, OCT. 6,1994 ART AIDS MURAL visits high schools Candlelight Vigil - 7:30pm Meet at ACT-B for silent walk to Unitarian Hall FRIDAY, OCT. 7, 1994 “Coffeehouse” Youth Social with Regional Multicultural Youth Council 8:00pm Victoriaville ART AIDS MITRAL visits high schools SATURDAY, OCT. 8, 1994 Women’s Healthy Sex Night - 8 pm ART AIDS MURAL at Intercity Mall Condom Blitz at selected local bars SUNDAY, OCT. 9, 1994 ART AIDS MURAL at Intercity Mall Other possible events include university & college workshops. Club VIP event, social marketing initiatives and various displays set up throughout the city in connection with youth groups. For more information: call Tara Lewis at the AIDS Committtee of Thunder Bay 345-1516. 6 “OPENING MORE DOORS” 3rd Annual Northwestern Ontario Regional HIV/AIDS Counselling Conference Thanks to the Ontario Ministry of Health, the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay is hosting its third annual “Opening More Doors “ counselling conference regarding HiV/AIDS. It will be held at the Prince Arthur Hotel here in Thunder Bay, Ontario, on October 20 and 21, 1994. On the evening of Thursday, October 20, 1994 there will be a session on “Issues relating to smaller centers, interaction with PHA’s (Persons Having HIV/AIDS), barriers that PHA’s face living in North­ western Ontario”, followed by a network and socializing period when refreshments will be served. On Friday, October 21, 1994 during our day session, various workshops will be held on: 1) Pre and post test counselling 2) Counselling family members and psycho-social issues 3) Issues relating to the grief process 4) Women’s issues creating risk awareness. Breakfast and a light lunch will be served at intermissions during these workshops. We currently have a broad range of participation from many smaller commu­ nities throughout Northwestern Ontario. A small registration fee is required although accommodations and travel grants for out of town guests are avail­ able. All PHA's (Persons Having HTV/ AIDS) will have the registration fee waived. If you would like further information on our upcoming, 3rd Annual, “Opening More Doors” North­ western Ontario Regional HIV/AIDS Counselling Conference please call the conference coordinator, Karen Ferland, at 1-807-345-1516 or 1-807-768-0699. Registrations are limited but we do have some space available. �MOTHER’S CLIPBOARD BUDDY PROGRAM The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay has been running a food bank in our agency for the last year. Thanks to the generous donations from our commu­ nity we have managed to provide food I'or people who are in need. Unfortunately we have exhausted our supply of food and Mother’s Cupboard is now bare. If you or your organization wish to donate food or start a food drive please call Ian. POSITIVELY WELL This year’s “Positively Well” program will have more of a complementary therapy focus. The first presenter will be Francis Robichaud. Francis, a DNCB advocate and user, will give a presentation on DNCB which is a complementary therapy. He is a volunteer for the PWA foundation in Toronto where he also facilitates a DNCB support group. Francis will be in Thunder Bay on Saturday October 1st. Chester Myers will be reluming to Thunder Bay on November 19-20,1994. Chester will be speaking on diet and nutrition with HTV. The nexL presenter is Sandra Johnson from the “RISE Program”. The “RISE Program" was designed as a health education course, for stress management and lifestyle modification through mental focusing and meditation. 1 would like to thank the steering com­ mittee who sat down and decided who they would like to see and hear. Without their input this year’s Positively Well would not be as focused and client driven. For more information call Ian. The Buddy Program, long in coming, has been running for about six months. Vol­ unteers with a special interest in working with clients, must invest about 35 hours in training and then commit to a mini­ mum of one year to the person with whom they are matched. Buddies are there for support: sometimes spending time together, talking on the phone, running errands, bringing some home cooking by, driving someone to an appointment, or accompanying someone on an afternoon out. The terms of the relationship arc agreed upon between the client and the buddy. ACT-B’s role is mainly that of support to both the buddy and the client. I know that one person living with AIDS in their own apartment found the regular telephone contact com­ forting. Requests continue to come in for buddies, and we are doing our best to make good matches. If you are inter­ ested in the buddy experience, call Sheila or Jo-Ann at 345-1516. WImember r O THE THUNDER BAY LOTTERY CORP. SUPPORT Q COMMITTEE DITTY by Leslie Lipson, University of California at Berkeley Oh give me your pity! I'm on a committee, Which means that from morning to night. We attend and amend And contend and defend Without a conclusion in sight. We confer and concur. We defer and demur, An reiterate thoughts of all sorts. We revise the agenda With frequent addenda And consider a load of reports. We compose and propose, We suppose and oppose, And the points of procedure are fun. l 0 IT l I T t I C f N c £ * f ♦ ! j ♦ I 3 But though various notions Are brought up as motions, There's terribly little gets done. We resolve and absolve, But we never dissolve, Since it's out of the question for us & AVAILABLE FROM THE AIDS COMMITTEE To bring out committee To end like this ditty Which stops with a period - thus. WE thank SPORTOP MARKETING FOR THEIR GENEROUS ASSISTANCE! 7 �SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISING Donning iheir red ribbon caps or red ribbon T-shirts, over 145 people partici­ pated in the 1994 From All Walks of Life fun run/pledge walk. Our run fun at Boulevard Lake met its goal of raising S6.000 for the AIDS Committee. It was the biggest and best in the six years we’ve had this event. Our thanks go out to the many dedicated volunteers for their help organizing the fun run and to the many local businesses which contrib­ uted prizes. The top ihree pledgers and the prizes they were awarded were: 1. Mike Topp: tickets for two to Toronto donated by Canadian Airlines, Lakehead Travel and The Westbury Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel 2. Maria Fiorot: a sports bag donated by Collegiate Sports 3. Brad Hetsler: a gift certificate for a massage and green fees. Thanks to all of you who gathered pledges, no matter how much. AHEAD Look for the Big Picture: the AIDS Mural this fall. During AIDS Awareness Week, it will tour several local High Schools, Confederation College, Lakehead University and finish at Intercity Mall on Saturday and Sunday, October 8th & 9th. It wll also appear at the Regional Counselling Conference “Opening More Doors” at the Prince Arthur Hotel on October 21st and 22nd. As well we hope it will find a place in many local malls in the coming months. This project is perfect to collect pledges for. Call the office for pledge sheets. Perhaps on World AIDS Day (December 1st), we could stage a day with art and fill a lot of squares on the Mural. As we head into the cool fall months other events are in the planning stages. We will have one of our famous yard sales in October. A Pancake Breakfast will occur sometime in November. It will be scheduled before you head out for a day of Craft Sales. Planning has already begun for the 2nd annual ART AIDS: Art Auction which will be early in 95. Stay tuned for further developments. NOTICE...NOTICE...NOTICE...NOTICE...NOTICE...NOTICE...NOTICE...NOTICE...NOTICE Due to budget restraints, reACT-Believe will be issued three times a year instead of four. As well reACT-Believe is asking nonsubscription readers to return the enclosed form if they want to continue to receive this newsletter. Members, clients and volunteers will continue to receive the newsletter. COMPLIMENTARY SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL Dear Reader: Name For several years you have received reACT-Believe Organisation at no cost. The AIDS Committee will continue to mail you reACT-Believe at no charge if you indicate that Address you want to receive it. However, we need your help now. If this newsletter is useful, let us know. If you can help us pay for it, please do so. Postal Code PLEASE CHECK Yes, I want to continue receiving reACTBelieve I would like to make a contribution to cover the cost of reACT-Believe. 1 am enclosing a cheque for to the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay. For those that can afford it, S15 would be appreciated. ___ No, I do not want to receive reACT-Believe any longer. Please mail this form to: reACT-Believe c/o AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay P.O. Box 24025, Downtown North Postal Outlet, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7A 4T0 Recipients of complimentary copies of reACTBelieve that do not respond to the survey form will be deleted from the mailing list. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource David Belrose fonds Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource reACT-Believe Vol 7 Issue 3 - Fall 1994 Subject The topic of the resource Organizations Health and Medicine Description An account of the resource Newsletter of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1994 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/17/2680/1995_reACT-Believe_vol8no1_2.pdf 473554b1cde166a7ea40aae8a49c405a PDF Text Text tevc The Committee of Thunder 7hflnk "J^ou for Caring/ ^ntcr, 1995 ^JYvedie <£xch«nge f)rograms; ^ 1994 was a year Response challenges for ACT-B new - Olliers are ongoing issues--we face c near daily basis. j«*»X quote from a Nov 01 article in During the twelve months-of 199^-^ locaTTimes-News reads, "Handing, out • we saw an increased caseload while ai the same lime experiencing more losses than we ever have before. We changed keyv .staff positions and redefined their roles (Support Services and Volunteer Coordinators). And we were pressured by the stark realines of frozen government funding, increased needs and an ever more competitive local fundraising environment. The latter is where you deserve our heartfelt thanks During 1994. many, many of you volunteered your nme specifically in ways that helped raise needed dollars in support of our services Many local businesses, employee organizations or service clubs made direct contributions to our work. Again and again you have responded to our requests, from the simple need of an extra volunteer on a community bingo night, to assisting with die collection of donanons for our annual holiday baskets for clients, to direct contributions of dollars We are struggling in very difficult economic and emotional rimes. Your generosity - be it your skills or vour nme or your dollars - has been vital to us this year Thank you. Each one of you is helping provide an answer to AIDS. Each one of you is proving tiiis is. indeed, a very caring community. Michael Sobota Executive Director gleans needles to drug users appears to cut ' their risk'of AIDS nr half, a: new tTS. study • • • -** ' concludes .WVI UK ..Gnrfeatly Tih • Canada, there are some 49 needle/exchang&programs running, nine in Ontario alone: (Projects such as The Works in Toronto as well as projects in Kingston, and in Sudbury operate in a cooperative community effort to reduce die spread of HTV amongst.injection drug users (IDUs) and tiieir sexual partners. Looking at the bigger picture, needle exchange programs, when appropriately designed for the communities they serve, can do a lot more. IDUPs are not lunitkt-to. heroin and cocaine. Steroidi use is also a cora&riip-ask well as home-made substances andiother'socalled "recreational intravenous drags" A priority of any needle. exchange program is cfeanmg . upjpj^boarhoods," therefore creating- safer "Streets . and playgrounds, that are free from dirty needles. This can. tie accomplished in .a controlled. manner througfra. needle, exchange’ program' by providing clear. needles or "works" m exchange, for used or dirty ones Used needles :are- placed in specially designed;;: "Sharps" ^containers ..while, waitingsfor* transport .;£fa" a proper...disposaU^'ate;| Simultaneously as needles are beings exchanged^ educanon about safer :sex| pracnces^ongorng. The importance p£nQk| sharing, ^£:f>and cleaning needles emphasiz^-|b prevent the spread of'j and otherfrdjseases. both through-®' drag use hopes of ^--pirigfito. is^so-thdtr^ee a rrusring relationshipestablished''with a service user, that person would encourage others to bring in their used needles, putting '"Volume 8, v7ssue l some responsibility back on the drug user to help make the program work. Although it would not be realistic to expect that every injection drug user would enter into rehabilitation, the door is kept open for those who would choose that route If the program is deemed trustworthy by the people who use it—it will work! "However, building the trust means building community support for the program. Players such as the police, the local district health unit, the local .AIDS committee, other agencies who are currently doing outreach work, and injection drug users are integral to a successful program. Here in Thunder Bay we know ihai injection drag use is happening. We know from our feedback from the local police, from agencies who are in direct contact with IDUs. We also know from the Ministry of Health and Health Canada that new infections of HTV through intravenous drug use are reflected in the data We know from the experience of other successful needle exchange programs that there is no evidence that the programs contribute to increased drug use, and in fact, the incidence of HIV through injecnon drag use has decreased significantly in some areas where needle exchange programs are operanng. For about the past three years, a commmee of conscientious local people have been working together to address the issue of injection drug use and the prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS and other diseases in our community. A lot of careful thought and planning has gone into the possibility of running a needle exchange program here. Although funding is nor yet in place, there is a more pressing issue— getting community supporr for a well run needle exchange, in order that IDUs will come forward and use it! Sheila Berry, Coordinator of Support Services �^ocal ^JYews 1994 {Annual Qeneval ^ecting Thunder Report £7?\nnongmous Tcsl^n9 ACT-B's Annua] General Meeting was held November 9, 1994 A record crowd of nearly 300 people rumed out for the event ACT-B had invited Svend Robinson (MP Burnaby B C ) to return to Thunder Bay as the keynote speaker for the annual meeting Mr Robinson's address was titled "Whose Life Is It Anyway - The Ethics of Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide" The subject is a timely one. demonstrated b> the enthusiastic crowd that came to the meeting, and by the range of questions asked of Mr Robinson following his address I he meeting also featured a "silent auction" which raised $600 for ACT-B's Emergency Financial Assistance Program The funds in this program are available directly to people living with HIV/AIDS who experience emergency financial needs ACT-B's Board of Directors was also elected at the meeting The U'94-95 board consists of returning An Ontario Ministry of Health evaluation report of anonymous HIV antibody testing indicates that people in the Thunder Bay region choose anonymous testing over other options by double the provincial average. There are three options available in Ontario for anyone who wishes to gel the antibodv test Onlv the anonymous testing option gives you complete assurance that no identifying infoimation about vou will he attached to your test and that your test results will be reported only to you In Ontario, most people gel tested using what is called the "nominal" system (getting tested through your doctor). Some people chose the "non-nommal" system (getting tested through a clinic that takes your personal information and keeps a file on you but codes the file) The provincial average for choosing anonymous testing is approximately 7% However in Thunder Bay. it is over 14% (and has been as high as 20% during some periods) Cteariy Thunder Flay supports anonymous testing. To access anonymous testing simply call 62559g 1 to ser up an appointment there are. various different locations where you can go to be tested Ask the recepnonist when you call (you have more options than being directed ro the Thunder Bay District Health Unit) The test is free You need not give any identify ing information Your tesi result will be reported only to you AC I -LI supports anonymous testing We re glad you do, too1 veteran directors Richard Atkinson. Aiarma DownevBaxter. Midi Ion Inksetter. Gail Lmklater. Bob Richardson. Diane Roberts. Pius White and Derek Zulesky They are joined by newly elected directors Richard DeYuono. Adele Evans. Rob Mac Kay and Darryl Williams. ACT-B thanks all past board members for their skills commitment and contribution to the agency's development, in particular Sarah Bunn. Ed Pnnselaar and Rob Shepherd who concluded their terms of office this year. And congratulations to the 1994-95 Board of Directors' AIDS Supports BODY IGNORANCE ATTACKS THE SPIRIT ATTACKS THE People living with hiv aids need support and love. You can i get HIV AIDS by being a Iriend. Trade in fears for facts! For more information, call • 807-345-1516 AIDS COMMITTEE OF THUNDER BAY �^^ocus on ^Aindrnising ZAV and £01111119 ax cACT'-JS..... There is something in the wind More and more people in our community are feeling it is OK lo support our fight against this disease and against homophobia and AIDS stigma. Its not a lot'of people just yet but I sense a shift of attitude which is very reassuring. As of writing this late in December, with the warm sun shining on the north, I wonder if there wall he any snow for die Snowshoe Obstacle Race, at the Winter Carnival Mediacoiii. a local advertising company, will organise and sponsor this event on behalf of the AIDS Committee On January' 28th. Poui person teams can enter for a registration fee of S20 (with Carnival Pins) or $25 (without) The evening of that same day. our second annual art auction will take place Art AIDS: Pul Yourself in the Picture will start at 7 pm at the Garibaldi Hall on Algoma Street Tickers are $20 We hope to improve on the $6,000 we made at the first an auction .. time will tell. If you are keen on being part of an evening of magic and compassion, fine an and stimulating company i$2u is too small a price for ail of this) please, join us at the Garibaldi ij tAe moat paateiljut etnuiueA ohc •iuccec-i. "2(lAe*t (fou do a tAiucf. eta it atitA alt (four atiCfAt. “ ut (yum atAole tout i*cto it. p it UMt-k (four tcrAoHdiitif. "Se active. l$e cuen^etic. S*e entAuJcaotic cutd faUttyul. a*td <fOU atilt aco*nfiti-lA (four objective. IRalfiA TtJaldo s&tercau £ommittec of ^Thunder acknowledges There will be a Casino at the Ortona Legion Hall on February 7. X and 9th March will feature our coinboxes in Robin's Donut locations during the Nordic Games Our volunteers will once again be canvassing door-to-door with rhe Kidney Foundation A portion of the funds collected will be allocated to the AIDS Committee. And we will finish off the month and rhe fiscal year with the inimitable and very popular I leaithv Sex Cabaret. Our seventh annual Cabaret will run for two days March 31st and April Fools day Dr Double Bill will be the Master of Ceremonies and entertainments during an evening of ribald satire and hot music and thanks our various funders; Ontario Ministry of Health Health Promotion and Social Development Office Ontario Region Health Canada Ontario Trillium Foundation All of the people involved in general fundraising and the support of many local businesses and individuals. We would especially like 10 acknowledge ail Those who contributed to Ail AIDS, in particular rhe many anists. Bearskin Airlines and McEachem Marketing: also our thanks to W, Bovvers for donating a fridge to rhe office. �Education jVews Social ‘YKJcirketing £ampcngn Social marketing is "the design, implementation and control of programs designed to influence the acceptability of a social idea or cause by a target group " [Philip Kotler] Social marketing can be used to inform, persuade, or remind people about a particular issue or idea. ACT-B has been funded through the AIDS Community Action Program (ACAP) of Health Canada to earn out a social marketing campaign. The overall goal of the ACAP project is to reduce barriers and create supportive social environments lor people living with HIV7AIDS, while the specific objective is to create and place a local and regional print advertising campaign, based on ihe concepi of social marketing The basic thrust of this campaign is to develop advertising messages about various subjects related to HIV AIDS and place these ads in newspapers throughout Northwestern Ontario. The campaign focuses essentially on print media for two reasons it is economical compared to electronic media and because local newspapers have historically shown wide and consistent readership I or the first year of this campaign, we decided on an "anti-stigma" focus relating to 11I V AIDS We began by consulting with staff, with other health care professionals with clients, and with our Advisory Council to get suggestions for the campaign on anti-stigma We have run a series of three small size print ads. appearing September. October and December of 1994 The ads have appeared in 14 regional newspapers as well as the ChronicleJournal Times-N'ews and the Thunder Bay Post The fourth ad in the series will appear about the time this newsletter is distributed Two of the ads are displayed in this newsletter In order 10 evaluate the effectiveness of the campaign, we have developed a tracking survey. Our plan was to make phone calls to about 60 individuals throughout the region alter each ad placement, with an additional six calls as controls each time This has been a major effort involving the diligent and much-appreciated efforts of a group of four volunteers The results of this tracking survey are just now being tabulated and assessed. One preliminarv result seems to indicate that, while attitudes towards HIV AIDS and people with HTV AIDS are not as negative as vve might have thought, many people still base their level of support on the manner in which a person became infected I he results of the survey, along with the observations of our volunteer surveyors, will help to shape the development of the campaign over the next two years In the second and third vear a poster and brochure 4 will be published to accompany the campaign Ihese will carry the messages into specific locations and be less time limited. We need your assistance in this process If you have seen any of our ads. please give us your feedback on them. If you have ideas about the direction the social marketing campaign should take, please let us know HIV DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE PEOPLE DO The virus Coes not care about gender, race, or sexual orientation. By the end of 1993. 13 3?9 people in Ontario, from all walks of life, had been diagnosed with HIV infection. Trade in fears for facts! For more information, call: 807-345-1516 AIDS COMMUTES OF THUNDER HAY J/outh v7ssues f}xoject As the Ontario representative to the Canadian AIDS Society's newly developed NATIONAL PROJECT WORKING GROUP on youth issues. I am excited to bring a new focus lo my work with ACT-B This YOUTH ISSUES PROJECT is committed to creating ait opportunity for youth to speak out about their own realities and experiences around HIV AIDS What are tite issues for youth with respect to HIV AIDS prevennon education, care and support’ Ultimately, this project is a needs assessment for youth ji nsk on a national level Risk groups include young gay men. young heterosexual women, youth in care and street involved youth The goal of the project is to coordinate 20 consultations across the country, including one in Thunder Bay Having this consultation in our city, will ensure that the voices of Thunder Bay youth will be heard on a national and regional level I am in the process of identifying potential participants for the consultation, as well as am organizations willing to sponsor participants from outlying communities to attend. Ifvou or your organization know of any youth that would benefit from attending tins meeting or have any questions or thoughts about the project, please contact Tara Lewis at 345-1516 �TV s5^e c& ^7oin us for an fashioned ^leigh %'de! We appreciate our volunteers! yhc ^/uture has happened to our society when we willfully living and sleeping children cast out because of sexual accept on of people the street their homes orientation and men and women dying alone because they To show our appreciation foi your dedication to voluniecring. ACT-B will be hosting a sleigh ride at Gammondale Farm on Thursday. March 2. 1995 from 7 00 p.m lo 9 00 p m All volunteers and their families are welcomed! There's lots for 'kids" of all ages to do visit the animals in the bam. swing on the tire in the has loft sip on hot chocolate. . . and enjoy a horse drawn sleigh ride! Please make plans to come! RSVP lo Jo-ann (345-1516) b> Februarv 29th, To gel to Gammondale Farm: Take highway 61 approximately I kilometres past the airport. ! urn right on the 4th concession road. Gammondales is located approximately 2 kilometres down 4th concession on the right hand side /petition AC 1 -13 has posted a petition calling parliament to act quickly to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and to adopt all necessary measures to recognize the lull equality of same-sex relationships in federal law. Please drop by the office at 217 S Algoma if you are interested in signing this petition have contracted ^/j/7bar values and instilling in a disease. beliefs are our children? we ^bey (earn from example and their example is us. \y7h<\X are we doing to the future of our civilization? anonymous �JOIN THE AIDS COMMITTEE OF THUNDER BAY TODAY! I want to be a member of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay! ___ __ Our strength is our people! People who give time and money. People who show their support by becoming MEMBERS. Enclosed is my $10.00 membership fee. I want to be a Supporting Member. I have enclosed $25.00. I would like to help more! Here is a donation of $ ________ Marne: Address: City: Where does your membership contribution go? Directly into the Emergency Financial Assistance Program. This money supports people living with HIV/AIDS in our community. It helps to cover health related expenses (such as vitamins or paying the heat By becoming a member of ACT-B, you also have a say in the direction that the agency takes. You may: ¥ attend and vote at the Annual General meeting; ¥ stand for nomination to the Board; ¥ elect the incoming Board members. Province: Postal Code: Telephone: ACT-B is a registered charity. Receipts for income tax purposes will be issued for every donation of $10.00 or more. (Receipts will NOT be issued for Memberships, only for donations.) Please mail cheque to: AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Box 24025 Downtown North Postal Outlet Thunder Bay ON P7A 4T0 �profiles /people are our life blood/ ^erc we take rhc opportunity to profile a cherished volunteer and a staff member. ^/Jinda ^beiln Terrific volunteers enter the doors of the AIDS Committee regularly and Linda MacKay is one of these treasured people Linda has only been volunteering since the fall of 1994. bur has made a substantial contribution to ACT-B already' The eldest of 10 children. Linda was bom in Halifax and moved to Thunder Bay at the age of 3 Surrounded by family, she soon learned to give time and help to others. Linda began volunteering over 20 years ago when her two children were young. She was a parent, teacher at Corpus Cliristi school and then moved on to volunteer at St Joseph's Hospital in the Psvdiologv Department. When asked why volunteering is so important. Linda modestly replies. "1 like helping people I don't expect to get anything out of it. I’m more of a giving than a receiving person. It makes me feel good and I like to led like I'm part of the team. " At the AIDS Committee. Linda assists with reception and clerical work two times each week She was also instrumental in organising the donations for the silent auction at the Annual General Meeting. With her help, vve raised $600 for the client Emergency Financial Assistance Fund. The AIDS Committee could not function without the tireless dedication of volunteers Thank-you I .inda' Sheila Berry has worked at the AIDS Committee for the past four years, first as Volunteer Coordinator and now as Support Services Coordinator Her interest in people has been evident from an early age "I've always had that social pull. 1 can remember when I was really young my sisters and I used to pul on a variety show in the from yard - make a tent raid invite people and charge 25 cents admission. I have a picture of six of us who had put on a show and donated the proceeds ro the Red Cross. I’ve always remembered myself as being social" It would have been difficult to be anti-social in the Bern household. Sheila comes from a blended family of I s 1 Sheila's vocational travels have been diverse; from R.YA to Copytrox Technician She explored the technical world and received an Electrical Diploma from South Porcupine College in I immins L pon graduation. Sheila gained employment at a woodworking factory T never realized that 1 had a knack tor working with thy hands Through the woodworking shop. I worked at various machines, learning how to operate the equipment, and made high quality pine furniture <SHCi Always a believer in education. Sheila began working toward psychology degree "because I knew that someday J would once again like to work with people" Her background in management and RNA training made Iter a good candidate for the position of volunteer coordinator Sheila finds her new posnnon quire challenging and wants to focus her energy on building community support for people living with HIV AIDS "Situations can be very complex at times for individuals and families. The best that I can do is be sincere and supportive." •• • �yi)(*nk you thunder Jgny! JT}e CommUtcc °f ^7bunder Jgag wishes to thank the following businesses for donating goods and services in 1994- A & P Foods Alexander & Alexander, Reed Stenhouse Lrd Athlete's Foot Atwood Shaw Labine Bearskin Airlines Bell Canada Bev Porter's Limited Boston Pizza C & D Sports Canadian Airlines Canadian Tire (County Fair) CBQ Radio Centennial Golf Course Chapleau Cree First Nation Cineplex Odeon Films, Canada C.J.S D. Incorporated Collegiate Sports Command & Post Transfer Corporanon Condom Companion Cranton Wellness Centre Emco Distnbution Group Everest of Thunder Bay Fresh Air Experience Hammerskjold High School Student's Council J U. Colonego Construction Limited Janzen's Pharmacy Jennifer's Antiques Lakehead University Lakehead Travel I .imited Lakehead Board of Education Linda Lundstrom Fashions (Toronto) SSR & Garrison Junior Rank Club M & M Meats MDS Laboratory Magnus Theatre Marlin Travel Merlin's Tea Room Mid Can OK Tires Ming Auto Beauty Centre Molson Breweries Mount Bald\ Ski Area Nipigon Red Rock District High School Student’s Council Non-Teaching Charity Fund of Lakehead Board of Education North Star Audio Video Northco Foods People’s Co-op Prince Arthur Hotel Prospector Restaurant Rainbow Printers .Secondary School Teachers Charily Fund ‘TVJother's £upboard A huge thanks to the newly formed Mother's Cupboard food bank committee Our first meeting was a success The members are Pius WTute, Linda MacKay, Erin McCarthy, Paula Pterman, Ann Garwood, Don Uhrymw and Ian Ritchie. We would also like to thank the following organizations for donating food in December. Current River United Church Knox United Church Beta Sigma Phi, Ontario Psi Master Chapter If you or your organization wishes to make a donation of non-perishable food items, you can contact Ian Ritchie at 345 1516 or drop off vour donation to 217 S Algomu St. Seais Employees Chanty' f und Sheai Heaven Silver Mountain Store Sooler Photo Sporlop Marketing St. James Stereo St Joseph Heritage Staff Fund Superior Trailers Sweet Thursday Bookshop Talcher Office Products Inc Students of McKenzie School The Framing Post The Painted Turtle The Bodv Shop The Finnish Bookstore File Senator Norman M Paterson Foundation Thompson Timber Inc. I hunder Bay Travel Limited Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra Thunder Bay Auto Pans T hunder Bay Wins' Unpainted Furniture Vanderwees Poulrrv Farms Western lire Auto Supply W omen of the Moose Port Arthur Chapter *1212 Zellers (County l air) 7 �/potpourri ^hristuins Jgaskers I his Christmas, 20 baskets were delivered to clients and their families. Without the generosity of businesses and volunteers, this event would not be possible. Thanks go out to the following people who made tins year's endeavour such a success. A special thanks is extended to the coordinator Trish Broeckel. Thank-you Trish, for your hard work and dedication1 You are indeed our "Good Fairy"! Zellers Intercity Zellers County Fair Plaza Safeway Arthur St. Safeway Redwood Safewav CFP Safeway Court St Safeway Red River Road The Body Shop Global Experience Video Village Merlin's Tea Room McDonalds Bandito Video Galaxy Bowl cjlb’ Boston Pizza The Kidney Foundation Thunder Bav Symphony Orchestra Magnus Theatre Linda MacKav Mildred Arnold Matilda Arnold Anita McDonald Lakohead University Students Adele Evans David Abramskv Ed Pnnselaar Eva Green Trish Broeckel Hazel Wohm Bern Kruzick Anne Ciemnv Jan Bell Coral Peterson Kim Mauro Floranne Faulkner Richard DeY'uono Kathryn Arnold Stan Weisheimer Maryanne Gabriel Marge Cross Marla Hollingsworth Sonja Matijek Resource ^/librnrn The ACT-B Resource Centre Library has a collection of materials in a variety of formats covering information on HIV AIDS and related issues We subscribe to sev eral treatment information newsletters with the latest information on HIV Sc AIDS treatments This information is available to everyone with an interest Much of the material is available for loan, while the remainder may be used in the library Reference material may be photocopied at ten cents a page Wo have recently purchased some new' resource materials. From a spiritual perspective, there are two books that offer valuable support Gavin Harrison has written a very powerful book titled In The Lap Of The Buddha From a background of abuse and as a person living with AIDS, he offers suggestions around meditation that are both practical and simple to understand. Gardening with Clay: Reflections on AIDS by Ronald 0 Valdiserri is a compelling senes of essays dedicated to the author's brother who died of AIDS. The issues of euthanasia and assisted suicide have been in the public eye recently. Dying With Dignity Final Exit, and El THAN ASIA: Assisted Suicide and AIDS all explore aspects of this difficult subject There are a number of hooks for children, or for ♦•• people working with children, that help to address the issue of death and dying Tiger Flowers. Losing Uncle Tim are written for a very young audience, w hile When Heroes Die is aimed more at young teens The Gift of Goodbye: A Workbook for C hildren offers a chance to work with the process of dying, while Explaining Death To Children provides a more theoretical framework. Homophobia is still a serious barrier in HIV/AIDS work, and support for gay. lesbian and bisexual youth is vital for effective prevention education Two Teenagers In Twenty, Understanding Sexual Identity, Is It A Choice? and Growing Up Gay. Growing Up Lesbian are all useful resources Not A Total \\ aste explores a mother's reactions to the loss of her son OTHER RECENT ACQUISITIONS IIIV & AIDS: A Public Health Perspective 1093 HTV AIDS A: Disability' Building Partnerships 1994 Palliative Care And HIV/AIDS: Canadian Directory Of Services 1994 Practice. Guidelines For Obstetrical .And Gynaecological Care 1994 Staying Healthy With HIV 1994 Virus In The Steel, The HTV/AIDS In Prisons. 1994 7 �porting (jinnee S7C Glaxo has announced upcoming international trials of the 3TC/AZT combination. There will be 10 trials sites in Canada, enroling a total of 200 volunteers. Dr Julio Montaner of Vancouver is the principal investigator. Negotiations about the trials sites are still underway, so Gaxo was unable to confirm the other centres Enrolment is expected to begin in March 1995 The enrolment period will last for 3 months only In a progressive move, volunteers will be allowed to remain on their current antiviral therapy, as long as AZT forms some part of it This means people who have been clinically stable for 4 months on AZT or AZT/ddl or AZT/ddC can remain on that therapy while taking part in the trial Volunteers will he randomized to 1) remain on their current antivirJU therapy: OR 2) remain on their current anuviral therapy while ADDING 3TC; OR 3) remain on their current antiviral therapy while ADDING 3TC and Loveride* (‘"Lovende is a reverse transcriptase inhibitor produced by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, currently in Phase II trials.) Entry catena are fairly standard, with CD4 counts between 25-250. The pnmaiy endpoint is time to progression. Other evaluations will be made on the basis of adverse events, laboratory tests, and Health-Related Quality of Life measures. If you have any questions about the combination trials, piease contact Deidre Maclean, Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange, 1-800-263-1638 or Ian Ritchie, ACT-B, 807345-1516. The opinions and medical information offered by reACT- Believe are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the staff or Board of Directors of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay. Medical information offered by reACT-Beheve should be used with vour own discretion Please consult your doctor Please address any comments about reACT-Believe to: P O Box 24025 Dontown North Postal Outlet Tli under Bay, Ontano P7A 4T0 (807) 345-1516 (9:30 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.) Jo-Ann Jacomb, Editor Gerald Taylor, Assistant Editor cACy'~'JZ c^dvisorjj Council Fred Ball Beth Huston Vivian Johnston Dr Gordon Milne Bob Richardson Nicky Tittley Rev. Don Uhiyniw Derek Zulesky cACJ*-JZ Rick Atkinson Rick DeVuono A Downey-Baxter Adele Evans Mahlon Inksetter Gail Lmklater Rob MacKay Bob Richardson Diane Roberts Pius White Darryl Williams Derek Zulesky Director, Public Health Laboratory Director of Administration. Kinna-weya Legal Clinic Public Health Nurse, Thunder Bay Distnct Health Unit Family Physician Co-chair, Businessman Supervisor of Infection Control. Port Arthur General Hospital Current River United Church. Council of Clergy Co-ehair, Health & Safety Officer Lakehead Board of Education directors Treasurer Director Director Director Secretary Director Director Vice President President Director Director Director <5 <AC7 Chnsta Alsch David Belrose Sheila Berry John Books Jo-Ann Jacomb Lawrence Korhonen Tara Lewis Ian Ritchie Secretary Education Coordinator Support Services Coordinator Fundraising'Communicanons Volunteer Coordinator Office Manager AIDS Awareness Week Coordinator Support Worker/Health Promoter Michael Sobota Executive Director � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource David Belrose fonds Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource reACT-Believe Vol 8 Issue 1 - Winter 1995 Subject The topic of the resource Organizations Health and Medicine Description An account of the resource Newsletter of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1995 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/17/2681/1995_reACT-Believe_vol8no2_2.pdf d997294ab1ae134f778c60bf10c9ba62 PDF Text Text Tke AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Spring, 1995 Volume 8, Issue 2 C7*\li cAbout '"Volunteers . . . April 24 - 29 was national volunteer week. All across the country, organizations like ours were celebrating, praising and promoting vol unteers, .We- have been blessed at ACT-IB. Tn 1994, 160 of you volunteered 4,839 hours of your time. Thisi$ a phenomenal show of support for AIDS work in Thunder' Bay! — We celebrated National Volunteer Week too. We hosted an informal awards evening, with "Theatre Games" being the featured entertainment. Fifty people were present and laughter was the theme of the night. I would like to thank Sheena Albanese, Carmen Classen and Wayne Faulkoner for their high energy performance! Volunteers come to us from all walks of life - home working mothers, students, university professors and letter carriers, and from every age of the spectrum. Over the past eight months, I have / had the pleasure of getting to know our volunteers, and I would like tp recount a few stories about my experience. In September, the university and college students came into town and seemed to descend on ACT-B. I was overwhelmed by the deluge of new faces, sometimes ten of you a jlay. The most memorable moment waspne particularly harried falj day. I had just processed half a dozen new intakes and I was sitting at my_. desk catching my breath ACT-B is Ideated on a very busy intersection, so I use my window "as free advertising space for volunteerism. Five young wmpn were reading my signs and banners as they waited for the traffic light to change. I gave them a friendly wave and smile. The light turned green and they began to cross the street. Suddenly, they alt niade an about face tup and came back to ACT-B to volunteer their time. That how tCristy, Nicole, Heather, Kan and Zoe became volunteers! together long enough to respond, “1®don’t know about that. That is mc$ethan ANYONE could ever want to fipow about David!" The shrieks ^f laughter didn't subside untifJanet's shift was over. To elajborate: David uses a wooden ' illustrate proper condom use Someone, had borrowed "Woody" to take up to a remote Northern reserve. Eproute, there was a plane crash and poor laifned on the "Woody" frozen woman was calling fork re ent! Volunteers bridge Joy! You help us to see* the bigger picture and to remember that|wfejdon’t work in isolation. You show us that the entire community calks about AIDS. You sir^fhe hand that teaches out to help. Ydp are mfeyoteiejon the other lo says yes end offhet to some arre requests. Thankyou volur |rs ^rour continued ink-ytrti for being such support, kind, givfr ' and caring people. I’ll be calling you soon! You never know what newlseheme we have in the works* Reception volunteers have always played a key role at ACT-B. We are honoured to have Janet Stewardson here Wednesday mornings. Janet’s robust laugh is a breath of fresh air on our sometimes bleak landscape. One day, Janet fielded a call from a h woman who a^ed, eOoes Davi(!' X.- ! (the Education Coordinator) have a Jo-Ann Jacomb, wooden penis?" Janet held it Volunteer Coordinator �Jn Review c^\ ^^nificdnt ^nniversdrif approaches... This coming fall/winter will mark the 10th anniversary of ACT-B’s existence in Thunder Bay. It was during the late summer and fall of 1985, that a small group of concerned people in Thunder Bay began meeting to share their feelings and ideas about AIDS. There were no public education or prevention programs in existence in Thunder Bay, and there were alarming and confusing stories in the media. In the fall of 1985, the first publicly identified case of AIDS surfaced at McKellar Hospital, resulting in further media frenzy'. The concerned individuals continued to meet and strategize, and in January' 1986 formally organized themselves as the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay (ACT-B). They had no funding, no staff, no office - they were passionate and committed volunteers. Now, as we approach a decade of service in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario, we invite you to think about this anniversary, what it means to you, to our communities. We invite your suggestions about how we may give attention to this past decade, as well as where we find ourselves ten years after ACT-B began. Please let us hear from you: how should we address our 10th anniversary? "Trial Xi/Tuhout £n4" by June Callwood A review by Michael Sobota Trial Without End is a detailed telling of how one man, Charles Ssenyonga, came to infect at least five women with HIV. As a result of the women's willingness to come forward and talk about their experiences, criminal charges were laid against Mr. Ssenyonga in London, Ontario. The trial lasted three months, but Mr. Ssenyonga died before the judge delivered his decision. Thus, we have one literal interpretation of June Callwood’s title for her book. The story of Mr. Ssenyonga is much more complex than the above summary. Mr. Ssenyonga knew he was HIV infected when he had unprotected intercourse with numerous women. He had received counselling from physicians, a public health nurse, he had made a connection with the local community based AIDS organization, he had been directly questioned about his HIV status by several of the women he had unprotected sex with, and he had a public health order written against him in an attempt to prevent him from further transmission of HIV. None of these actions worked. Thus, a second interpretation of the author’s title refers to each individual involved in the unfolding story, each personal trial they carried, inside the larger story. June Callwood's research is detailed and extensive. The book reveals Mr. Ssenyonga's story and the women involved with him, mostly through first person interviews. When statements are not corroborated, we are expected to take them at face value. In addition Ms.Callwood writes with clear bias, using colourful, connotative words and descriptions as she presents her information. The reader should precede through this wealth of material with caution. The debate about how to address people who knowingly infect others with HIV is a serious one, and it has been going on for some time. Mr. Ssenyonga is only one of a few individual cases that have surfaced in Canada and been given media attention. It is important in addressing those few individuals who knowingly infect others, that care be taken not to stigmatize all people living with HIV. Meanwhile, I consider Trial Without End essential reading for front line workers, for policy makers and for anyone try ing to understand the complex reality of living with AIDS. The accumulative power of the book is substantial: I finished it with sadness, frustration...but not without hope. There are no easy answers to the complex issues raised. But we are getting better at understanding the issues clearly. June Callwood has made a significant contribution by laying out the field in Trial Without End. �^Cocus on ^Awd Raising 1994 ^Cund Rising Qoal Otjet/ Rough figures indicate more than $72,000 was raised in the past year, a 25% increase over last year!. In a very competitive fund raising environment, that is a remarkable achievement. We finished the year with Art AIDS 95 and the Cabaret, both of which were significant successes. On behalf of the AIDS Committee, I salute the many individuals and local businesses who have contributed to the fight against AIDS in our community. We also extend our heart felt thanks to the volunteers who serve on the Fund Raising Committee, the Art AIDS Committee and our Bingo and Casino volunteers. Their generous contribution of time, expertise and energy was... and continues to be invaluable. Here are some events you can look forward to over the summer months: *+ On the May long weekend, we will have a casino at Casey's on Memorial Avenue. *** In June, the Canadian AIDS Society will launch a series of nation wide PSA's to promote awareness of community based organizations like ACT-B. We will follow that with a direct mail campaign. **Wc will be selling tickets for two Whiskey Jack games (June 14th and July 26th). If you know any baseball enthusiasts, please consider selling advance tickets for ACT-B. ** We have cancelled the Fun Run scheduled for June 10th. Other events and opportunities required our attention. We hope to return with this event in 1996 and apologise to those who were looking forward to it. *+ July brings us Harbourfest. The AIDS Committee was recently chosen to be the "Host Charity" of the 1995 Harbourfest, July 6, 7 & 8. Among other activities, we will have a Dunk Tank and the AIDS Mural. This is an exceptional opportunity for the AIDS Committee to let the community of Thunder Bay know our role in the fight against AIDS. Looking ahead, preparations are under way for our biggest event of the year. From All Walks of Life will kick off AIDS Awareness Week on October 1st. Thunder Bay along with 30 other communities across Canada will hold a pledge walk on that day. Last year 2,500,000 dollars was raised for community AIDS organizations. All funds raised in Thunder Bay will stay here. Pledge forms will be ready by mid August. If you are going to collect pledges come in and pick up a Pledge Form. We will be encouraging people to collect at their place of work and to challenge schools, businesses and organizations to compete for the most money raised. Let's make this an even better year than the last one! Have a good summer. c^obn Jgooks, ^Aind Raising Coordinator 3 �£ducAtion %JVews Disclaimer: Statistics for HIV infection and AIDS are limited in accuracy by a number of factors. Often, it is only possible to give estimates of numbers. prepared March 15, 1995 by David Belrose, Education Coordinator. AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay THUNDER BAY 17 cases of AIDS reported in Thunder Bay up to end of 1st quarter of 1994 based on health unit area of residence at time of onset/diagnosis (Source: AIDS in Ontario, Ontario Ministry of Health, 1st quarter, 1994): ACT-B has more clients than this, and has seen many more clients die than this number. Over 40 cases of HIV infection reported to Medical Officer of Health. ACT-B estimates approximately 100 to 200 cases of HIV infection/AIDS in Thunder Bay. ONTARIO 4429 AIDS cases, 3597 known deaths - 95.8% male. 4.2% female 50.3% in Toronto (at time of diagnosis) number of HIV positive tests through Lab. Services Branch (November. 1985- September, 1994) 14,473 of which 1.173 are female (8.1%) number of HIV positive tests through Lab. Services Branch from Jan - Sep. 1994 - 1094 of which 190 are female (17.4%) CANADA Dec. 31. 1994 (Quarterly Surveillance Update: AIDS in Canada. Health Canada) total 10,689 AIDS cases, dead-7.471 10,576 adult (10,000 men 94.5%, 576 women 5.5%) 113 pediatric(59 M. 54 F) Statistical adjustment (delays and underreporting) based on figures to June. 1993 total reported - 9,651 total delay adjusted - 11,676 total adjusted for delay and corrected for underreporting - 13,737 HIV seroprevalence rate in pregnant women (rate per 10,000) (Oct. 1993) Manitoba 0.72, Ontario 1.9, British Columbia 4.95, Quebec 5.2. Newfoundland 12.0 WORLD US - 401,789 .AIDS cases reported as of Sept., 1994 est. 1.1+million HIV WORLD - 1,025,073 AIDS cases reported to World Health Organization by December 31, 1994, - estimated 4,500,000+ AIDS cases. As of late 1994, it is estimated that 18 million adults and 1.5 million children have been infected with HIV. As of Jan. 1994, it was estimated that 5,000 people per day w'ere becoming infected with HIV7 (1,825,000 per year) THE PERSON WITH HIV/AIDS MAY BE YOUR MOTHER, FATHER, SON, DAUGHTER, SISTER, BROTHER. HIV AIDS TOUCHES US ALL. Hy the end or i99.< 13 3/9 people in Ontario. o* ciitterinq ago gender race, and orientation, nact ooen diagnosed with HIV infection. Trade in fears for facts! For more information, call: 807 345-1516 - AIDS COMMITTEE OF THUNDER BAY 4 �health promotion /fttging^/or your ^rugs ^pril 199? Are You Getting What You’re Entitled To? The basic antivirals, AZT, ddC,ddI and pentamidine are made available by the government free of charge to all people with HTV through a special programme. You or your insurance company must pay for all other medications unless you qualify for an Ontario Drug Benefits (ODB) card. There are now three ways to qualify for an ODB card It is provided to you automatically if you are on welfare or receiving homecare. Effective April 1, 1995, you can apply under the Trillium Drug Program if your total drug costs in a year are excessive. For a person with an income up to $20,000 you must pay a deductible of $500; for a person with an income over $20,000 the deductible is based on 4.5% of your net income. The exact amount of the deductible varies according to your income and whether you are single, or in a family of two, three, or four or more. You are eligible once you have paid this amount in drug costs, and you will receive an ODB card for the balance of the year. You must save all receipts for prescription drugs and show your income tax return for the previous year to establish your net income. How ODB Works Even if you do qualify for ODB, the system can be complicated. There are four ways you can get your drug costs covered under ODB Formulary List This is a list of drugs which are paid for if you have an ODB card. You must show your card to the pharmacist when ordering your medication. The list includes common drugs like Septrafoactrim, dapsone, ethambutol, ciprofloxacin, amphotericin B etc. Non-formulary List This is a list of drugs which are only covered under certain circumstances. It requires some paperwork on the part of your physician. You must present your pharmacist with a "Non-formulary Benefits Form" signed by your doctor. The list includes lomotil, immodium, trental, and liquid nutritional supplements. Facilitated Access List This is a special list of AIDS/HIV drugs which registered doctors may prescribe. Many pharmacists are unaware of this list so you may have to insist. Some common drugs on this list include rifabutin, fluconazole, ganciclovir, and acyclovir. Section 8 Requests This is a procedure where a doctor applies for coverage for a particular drug not on any of these lists, for an individual patient. This can be a long cumbersome paper-heavy process. Presently you need to make a Section 8 request to get clarithromycin for MAC, • •• Mepron for PCP, Itraconazole for histoplasmosis or candidiasis, or somastatin for diarrhea, among others. How the ODB Doesn’t Work Unfortunately the government did not take the opportunity provided by creating the Trillium Drag Programme to solve a number of the problems people with AIDS encounter with the ODB, namely: 1) There is no coverage of experimental therapies. For example, a person with CMV retinitis who has failed IV ganciclovir and foscamet is faced with the option of obtaining a ganciclovir implant at a cost of $5000 or going blind. While most experimental therapies are provided free of charge by the manufacturer, a few must be paid for, such as GM-CSF, growth hormone and the ganciclovir implant. Even where a patient has exhausted all therapeutic options, the government has refused to cover costs. 2) There is no coverage for complementary therapies. For example Chinese herbs, L-Camitine, NAC, and vitamins are not covered. The government has refused to even make a commitment to examine coverage of complementary therapies. 3) The facilitated access list for people living with HIV needs to be immediately expanded. Too many drugs can only be obtained through section 8 applications which some physicians will not make because of all the paperwork involved 4) A mechanism is needed for continual amendments to the facilitated access list to keep up with therapeutic developments. A specialized AIDS committee should be established, including consumer input, with a power to recommend additions to the list. If recommendations are not accepted, written reasons for not covering the drug should be provided. Meanwhile... If you still need financial assistance to pay for your drugs ask about assistance programs at your local AIDS service organization. What You Can Do... .AIDS ACTION NOW! has been calling for the deficiencies of the current ODB to be rectified and for a truly comprehensive programme to be introduced. If you are not happy with the way the system currently works (no coverage of experimental or complementary therapies, too many section 8 applications etc ), or if you feel that the amount of the deductible is unfair, phone your MPP to explain why we need improvements to this plan and demand to know what she or he is going to do about it. The upcoming election is a good time to seek commitments from the candidates in your riding to improve drug funding in Ontario. �^ealtb promotion #eiki JTiernpy (reproduced from Mainliners issue 54 March 1995) What is Reiki? (Pronounced Ray Key) The word REEK! is from the Japanese and means "Universal Life Energy" and builds on the belief that energy lives within us and around us. Reiki is a method of channelling this energy by the practitioner laying hands on the client. History of Reiki The Usui System of Reiki evolves from the techniques of Dr Mikao Usui, a Japanese Professor of Theology who lived last century. Dr Usui travelled extensively and this healing system was developed following research and meditation and is based on ancient Sanskrit teachings. The Usui system continues to be taught by Reiki masters today. You do not have to be religious or follow any prescribed belief system to benefit from Reiki - you need only be able to receive. To Receive "Just for the moment set aside your conditioned ideas and expectations. Make yourself empty for moment. Be open. Receive." The Benefits of Reiki Following the philosophy of channelling Universal Life Energy, Reiki can: ** relieve stress assist the body in healing itself **• revitalise body and soul **promote relaxation **■ produce a feeling of well-being benefit physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually ** loosen energy blocks ** cleanse the body of poisons How is Reiki given? No diagnosis or prescription is needed for treatment and the client is totally passive. Treatment is given fully clothed on a treatment couch. A trained practitioner lays hands on various parts of the body and Reiki energy flows. During this simple, yet powerful process the client usually feels relaxed and calm and often experiences a sense of profound well-being. Where to Get Reiki in Thunder Bay? Jennifer Tett offers Reiki in Thunder Bay. She has agreed to offer our clients a sliding scale rate of $15.00 for a complete treatment. You can reach Jennifer at 344-9411 She is located in the Medical Arts Building on Cumberland St. Satisfied clients return again and again to enjoy the If you need any further information Reiki experience. please contact Ian Ritchie at 345-1516. positively |^ell ^/f/?orkshops We bid a fond farewell to the second series of "Positively Well" workshops. To recap last years efforts, Richard Robichaud from Toronto came to Thunder Bay to speak about DNCB. Next, Chester Myers made his third trip to Thunder Bay to speak about "HIV and Nutrition". The final workshop featured Sandra Johnson from the RISE Program in Toronto. Sandra gave a instructional workshop on Therapeutic Touch and relaxation techniques. I would like to thank the focus group that selected the presenters and of course, many thanks to the presenters for coming to Thunder Bay and sharing their knowledge with us. I am in the process of planning this years exciting "Positively Well" sessions, and I would like to assemble a focus group to assist with the project. I need ideas about guest speakers, our target audience, and implementation suggestions. If you would like to participate in this project, please call me at 345-1516. I am tentatively planning the first meeting for Monday July 10, 1995 at 5pm. LDH Return J)cvcls ^ predictor Of PCP In my treatment research, I came across an article that appeared in the Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases titled "The spectrum of pulmonary diseases in patients with HIV infection". The article describes the many respiratory infections that people living with HTV/AIDS experience. One of the most useful pieces of information that I found was the fact that using "the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) serum level has proved to be extremely useful in ruling out PCP" (Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases Vol.5 Sept. 1994 p.34E) This is very interesting because PCP is sometimes hard to confirm because the presenting symptoms can be nonspecific and could also be symptoms of either bacterial pneumonia, Mycobacterium tuberculosis or other respiratory infections that might be unrelated to HIV infection. The LDH serum level is a quick laboratory test that most hospitals can do onsite in 30 minutes. It should be noted that elevated LDH serum levels can also be associated with hemolysis, lymphomas, pulmonary embolism, liver disease and dapsone therapy, it would therefore be important to rule these out first. If you would like a copy of this article or any other information on treatment please contact me at 345-1516 ‘Montaner J, Spour L, Carlos Z, "The Spectrum of pulmonary disease in patients with HIV infection" Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases Volume 5 Suppl E September 1994. p 34E-39E. �Resources We have good news about our resource library. First of all, one of our volunteers, Kristen Poluyko, has agreed to take on the task of Librarian. We expect that this will result in a more efficient cataloguing of materials. Kristen will also work on a new look for the library over time, with a view to enhancing ease of use Secondly, we have been able to augment our holdings as a result of several generous contributions. A grant from the Ontario Ministry of Health has allowed us to replace a number of materials which had been lost over time, as well as acquiring duplicate copies of some material in high demand. The United Way provided us with a small grant to purchase materials related to abuse and family support issues. We are also grateful for the generous personal donation of a number of books by a local resident. People from other centres have commented on the quality of our resource library. We encourage you to make use of the material we have available, and to let others know of its existence. The library is open during regular office hours, Monday to Friday, 9:30 to 5:00 pm HIV-Positive Shire, Amy Facing The Fire Lee The Family And HIV Bor The Family Heart Dlew For Those We Love: A Spiritual Perspective on AIDS Gay Theology Without Apology Comstock Helping The Bereaved Cook Lesbian & Gay: Chemical Dependency & HIV/AIDS Weinstein, Dava Lesbian Health Guide Vespry/McClure Lesbian Health: What Are The Issues? Stern The Rainbow Book: Ontario Directory of Community Services Safety In Numbers: Safer Sex & Gay Men King Speaking Of Christ: A Lesbian Feminist Voice Heyward Theory And Practice Of HIV Counselling Boretal Treatment of Complicated Mourning Rando Trial Without End Callwood What The Bible Really Says About Homosexuality Helminiak Here are some of the new materials we have recently received. VIDEO NEW BOOKS AIDS, Sharing The Pain Kirkpatrick AIDS: A Guide To Clinical Counselling Miller & Bor AIDS Caregivers Handbook(updated) Eidson Breaking The Surface Greg Louganis Coming Out To Parents Mary V. Borhek Creating Compassion Weezman Everything You Need To Know When A Parent Has AIDS Draimin, Barbara Everything You Need To Know About Being Being The Cause Of AIDS: Fact And Speculation (4 videotapes) Doctors With Heart NFB The Legacy of Jon Gates Growing Up Gay and Lesbian McNaught Homophobia In The Workplace McNaught Healing Spirit NFB Living With AIDS Thru Yoga & Meditation Petrich OUT: Stories Of Lesbian And Gay Youth NFB The Tibetan Book Of The Dead NFB (2 videotapes and book) Slippy Kisses _________ ____ Although it involves a bodilyJIutd;1assing is considered to Be~a relatively safe sexual activity. HIV is not readily transnjittetfthrough saliva and researchers have wondered for years why it is so 5 �profiles J<w Ritchie When Ian Ritchie bursts into a room, he exudes a sense of invincible youth and self-confidence. His contagious laugh is undeniably one of his most attractive qualities, although his long flowing hair comes in a close second! An avid tennis player, lan spends his off time on the court and with his new love, Marla. The youngest member of the ACT-B team, Ian is a welcome addition. Originally from Ottawa, Ian came to Thunder Bay to attend Lakehead University. He earned a degree in Sociology in 1992 and still continues his studies on a part-time basis, working towards a Social Work degree. What brought Ian to the AIDS Committee? "My brother told me he was gay and so I wanted to learn more about it. The only thing I knew about was the connection between being gay and AIDS so I came to the AIDS Committee. I got the information here. I signed up to volunteer and a while later got a job." That was two years ago and Ian's still going strong! lan has two jobs at the AIDS Committee; health promotion and support services. He explains the differences and the similarities. "Health promotion is about giving people information on healthy living and what they can do to maintain good health. It's letting them make the choice of what they want to do or how they want to live their life. I run "Positively Well" which is a group of speakers we bring in to talk about nutrition, alternative or complimentary therapies. I do research about any new drugs that come out or about clinical trials people want to get into. Support work is more direct counselling. Counselling around psychosocial issues, grief, disclosure, drug and alchohol counselling, "social worky" stuff. The two areas go hand in hand. I have an established relationship with clients so it is easier to give them # 6 health promotion information." AIDS work is grief work. How does Ian handle the losses? "It's difficult. I've never had to deal with death before. I've never lost anyone close to me. When I started working, I didn't know how to handle it, which in some ways is good because I don't have baggage. I don’t know how I'm supposed to act. It's hard in the sense that I work with people for a year and a half. 1 develop a relationship. We don't see someone for only 10 sessions - it's long term. From my own personal perspective, it's an honour to be there and share .someone's journey." What brings you joy and keeps you going in this work? "My clients keep me going. Sometimes I get caught up in political turmoil and frustration. My clients bring me back to the ground and remind me why I'm here. All the other stuff around me is secondary. That grounds me and kind of saves me." When asked to talk about his personal philosophy. Ian explained. "Have an open mind and an open heart. Be yourself." We are glad that you are "yourself' Ian! Keep up the good work! ^ius Xtfhtte When it comes to juggling. Pius White has become a master. He is presently serving his second term on the Board of Directors at ACT-B. he is an active volunteer and also a client of the agency. In the early 70's, Pius left his home town of Atikokan to seek his fortune in Toronto. He worked in the hospitality industry as a bar manager for many years. As his circle of friends widened and grew, Pius began to meet more and more people who were sick with AIDS. His own HIV+ diagnosis came seven years »««■ �profiles continued . . . ago. Pius had by this time developed a strong support system in Toronto. He never sought support or went to the AIDS organizations there because he felt so well supported by his friends. About two years ago however, Pius began experiencing some health set-backs and decided to move to Thunder Bay where he could be nearer to his family. Life in Thunder Bay was quite different from that of Toronto. Suddenly faced with unemployment, loss of his peer group and life in a small town, Pius came to the AIDS Committee. "I came in to do volunteer work and the next thing you know, I was on the Board of Directors!" Pius soon became very committed to ACT-B. "As somebody living with HIV, I have to get involved personally when I can; when my health allows me to. I figure if I can’t get involved, I can't expect other people to do everything for me. By doing this, I am not only empowering myself, I am also getting information for other people too." As a client, Pius gains moral support from all the staff at the agency, especially from Support Services. "I find when I'm sick, everyone is there. When I have a problem and lan and Sheila are not around, I know there’s someone in the office I can talk to." in this city because there’s not that many people that I know who are positive. There are more but they are not ready to go public or even meet other people. It’s frustrating at times." How has life changed over the past years? "I take better care of myself, eat healthy food, take vitamins and get lots of rest. No more staying out till 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning. The last six months have been very tough. I was in the hospital in December. January and February. March and April have been good so maybe I've broken the spell. I was in a coma this winter and one good thing that came out of it was that my health directive or living will was used. They honoured it. 1 am very specific about what is allowed to be done and what is not. I have my doctor and an advocate involved. It took six months to get this thing together. I worked with my support worker and doctor for many months. At the end, we brought in my advocate. It's nice to see that it works." "The best thing about my involvement with the AIDS Committee is that it keeps me busy. I can't work any more. If I didn't have the involvement with the Board duties include being the PHA (persons living with HIV/AIDS) delegate to the Ontario AIDS Network. Pius also serves as the PHA representative for the Canadian AIDS Society. He attends numerous conferences on behalf of the agency and brings back valuable information to the board and staff. We are sometimes hard pressed to find him in town, since he jet-sets across the country so often! Pius contributes many hours of volunteer work at ACT-B. "I work the casinos. I sit on the Education and Support Services committees. I also go out in the community and speak to groups and am presently helping to establish a speakers bureau. I tell my own personal story." I asked Pius if he is connected with other HIV+ people in Thunder Bay. "I have one good friend w-ho is also HIV+. I rely a lot on that person for moral support, especially when I am not feeling well because that person understands alot. It’s very hard agency, I'd most likely spend my time sitting around and doing nothing. I enjoy doing what I'm doing most of the time." Our hats are off to Pius White! Thank-you for your dedication and commitment to ACT-B! 7 �porting Qlance & Mt o ACT-B Advisory Council Fred Ball Mary Lee Barry WJJV'S ricketyfw*» cAC7-JSThunder Bay WINS is back on tra&k. T^pe is new spirit and commitment in making Thunder Bjjg. WINSi||give. This unique lottery benefits over 90 charities ini&hr commiih%^^nd for those who know the odds, it is clear that$$INS offers thellfebhance of you winning the big prize. Nowjjpb can buy your ticlcfcat the AIDS Committee office When Thunder Bay plays, Thunder Bay WINS! Jf ljv The AIDS Committee of ThunderJBay acknowledges and thanks our various funders: ** Ontario Ministry of Health ** Health Promotion and Social Development Office, Ontario Region, Health Canada **• Ontario Trillium Foundation **- All of the people involved in generaffundraising and the support of many local businesses and iftefcviduals. Special thanks to Bearskin Airlines. lbr sponsoring Art AIDS 95. This event would not be possibly without the help and support of many local artists in our commurlfy. Thank-you for your valuable contributions to the AIDS Committee The opinions andsib&dical information offered by "reACT- Belize" are those of tl^pdividual authors asKfehrit necessarily thoSSROf the staff or Board ^Pirsctt^^ilfe^AIDS Committee; Gflender Bay. Medical informafiM': Peered by^eACTsBeffeve”* should .be, used at your own discretion. Please con^Hp^f'doctor. Please address any comments about "reACT-Believe" to: P O Box 24025 Downtown North Postal Outlet Thunder Bay, Ontario P7A 4T0 (807) 345-1516 Jo-Ann Jacomb, Editor Gerald Taylor, Assistant Editor Ian Ritchie, Health Promotion Pages Vivian Johnston Dr. Gordon Milne Bob Richardson Nicky Tittley Rev. Don Uhryniw Derek Zulesky Director, Public Health Laboratory Nurse, Ogden East-End Community Health Centre Public Health Nurse, Thunder Bay District Health Unit Family Physician Co-chair, Businessman Supervisor of Infection Control, Port Arthur General Hospital Current River United Church, Council of Clergy Co-chair, Heatth & Safety Officer, Lakehead Board of Education ACT*B Board of Directors Rick Atkinson Rick DeiVuono A. Dovimey-Baxter Adele Evans MahlonBtksetter Gad Linklater Rob MacKay Bob Richardson Diane Roberts PiigiWhitfc Dajfryl Williams Derek Zulesky Treasurer Director Director . Director Secretary Director Director Vice President Director Director Director Director ACT-B Staff Christa Alsch David Belrose Sheila Berry John Books Jo-Ann Jacomb Lawrence Korhonen Ian Ritchie Michael Sobota Secretary Education Coordinator Support Services Coordinator F undraising/Communications Volunteer Coordinator Office Manager Support Worker/Health Promoter Executive Director � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource David Belrose fonds Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource reACT-Believe Vol 8 Issue 2 - Spring 1995 Subject The topic of the resource Organizations Health and Medicine Description An account of the resource Newsletter of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1995 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/17/2682/1995_reACT-Believe_vol8no3_2.pdf 35d3d4b87f54a58b01fc5c45cf1adb29 PDF Text Text AIDS Awareness Week October 2 - 8, Homophobia jmfc HIV "It takes more than condoms to fight AIDS. It takes your acceptance and understanding." This slogan for AIDS Awareness Week in Canada this year reflects the understanding that HIV/AIDS is much more than just a health issue. "During a telephone survey about a social marketing campaign, a significant number of people indicate that support for people living with HIV/AIDS depends on how they got infected (if infected as babies or from blood products they deserve support but if infected as a result of sex or drug use they deserve to be sick." "A young man leaves his hometown in northwestern Ontario, because he gets no support as a gay person. Moving to Winnipeg, he falls prey to the temptations of the big city. Sometime later, his family, who have by now7 come to terms with his being gay* get a phone call letting them know that he is HIV-positive." "Two HIV-positive men move to a very small community in Northwestern Ontario (the hometown of one of the men). Very quickly, the whole town knows their status, and they are shunned. In addition, they have to travel several hours each way to get to a community for medical treatment. After several months, they feel forced to return to the large city they had tried to escape." These are real stories of the damage caused by the effects of homophobia. (Homophobia is defined as negative personal attitudes or behaviour towards gays, lesbians and bisexuals.) Over years of dealing with the HIV/AIDS epidemic, we have come to see that social attitudes play a very’ important part in the way we deal with this disease. This is not a new7 thing. When I was a young boy, the big disease that people only talked about in whispers was cancer. Now the disease that most stigmatizes people is HIV/AIDS. What does homophobia have to do w'ith HIV/AIDS? Almost everything. Homophobia and HIV/AIDS are so firmly linked in the minds of many Canadians that their response to a person with HIV/AIDS often can't be separated from their response to homosexuality. These negative perceptions and attitudes about die gay community have been identified by some, as the biggest obstacles to an effective, compassionate response to HiV/AIDS in Canada. Viruses do not target specific groups or discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. While in North America ifs the gay community that has been most seriously affected by HIV/AIDS, this is an issue for society7 as a whole. Heterosexual women, men, and children have suffered and died of AIDS. The isolation and fear that results from society's homophobic attitudes towards people with HIV/AIDS hurts them, too, just as hatred and any form of discrimination hurts us all. People living with HIV/AIDS sometimes find it difficult to get support and treatment, especially in smaller communities. Young people are not offered the training to help them make informed choices about their sexual behaviour, particularly if they are gay, lesbian, or bisexual. Young gays, lesbians, and bisexuals are often forced to leave their homes in Northwestern Ontario to look for acceptance and community7. Many people (including women, youth, aboriginals) still think .AIDS is a gay disease so they don't consider that they could be at risk. As a society we need to work to end all forms of oppression, including homophobia, if we want to try7 to find effective ways of dealing with HTV/AIDS. We need to examine our own attitudes and beliefs. We need to look at the assumptions and generalizations we make about other people. We need to try7 and put ourselves in the other person’s shoes, to better understand them. While homophobia is an insidious and pervasive form of oppression, there are simple steps that each of us can take to make a difference. We can all be part of the solution rather than part of the problem. �It takes more than condoms to fight AIDS. It takes your acceptance and understanding. WHAT YOV CAN DO TO COMBAT HOMOPHOBIA Educate Yourself ▼ ▼ T ▼ attend workshops on homophobia read books and other materials (make sure they are current and up to date) see films featuring lesbian, gay and bisexual persons and experiences bring up homosexuality in discussions with friends, co-workers Rcco$*iizc Your Own Homophobia ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ stop using homophobic slurs (fag, queer, dyke etc.) when hearing jokes targeted at gays, don't laugh or remain silent identify how homophobia effects the way you live (your dress, your mannerisms, your behaviours etc.) confront the expectations and beliefs you have about gay men, lesbians and bisexuals don't assume all of your friends, family and colleagues are heterosexual! Abbrcss Homophobic Behaviour Arovmt> You ▼ ▼ establish guidelines at your workplace for harassment and teasing that treat homophobic interactions as seriously as racial or sexual offenses make it known that homophobic innuendoes, jokes and teasing are offensive and unacceptable to you TaUc Simple But Effective Steps ▼ T ▼ ▼ ▼ add books and magazines about homosexuality to your workplace's library or resource bank and put them in a visible place monitor your resources to ensure books are up to date and suggest materials (for your resource person to order) request staff development training on homophobia in organizations such as yours show your support for gay, lesbian and bisexual colleagues contact the AIDS Committee for resource materials, or for workshops on homophobia at 345-1516 What is homophobia? It is the fear of lesbians, gay males, and bisexuals, and the hatred, intolerance, disgust, and prejudice that this fear brings. Homophobia refers to individual negative personal prejudice and discriminatory behaviour. What is hctcrosexism? It is the promotion by institutions of the inherent superiority of heterosexuality and the assumption that everyone is and must be heterosexual. Like racism, sexism, and other forms of prejudice and discrimination, heterosexism awards privilege to members of the group with more power (heterosexuals). �ACT-B Activities AIDS Awareness Week 1995 Activities "HomopkobU *tib HIV" SaturbAif, September 10 Community Dance for Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Friends St. John’s Ambulance 518 Fort William Road 9:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. SvmfcAvp October 1 AIDS Walk - " Walk For Life" registration at Ortona Legion 12:00 noon. Walk begins at 1:00 p.m. Entertainment and refreshments will be provided between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. "Openly More Doors” Northwestern Ontario Ro5iona1 H1V/A1DS Covinselling Conference The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay is proud to be hosting its fourth annual counselling conference on October 19 and 20th at the Prince Arthur Hotel. This will be a one and a half day event covering such topics as: fa fa fa fa fa MotibAVj, October 2 Tree Planting - Marina Park 11:30 a m. "Closets Are For Clothes, Not People" Homophobia workshop - Waverley Library Auditorium 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. TwcsfcAVf. October 1 Men's Healthy Sex Night L.U. Residence Conference Centre - 7:00 p.m. Guest speaker - David Belrose ART AIDS Mural - Keskus Mall 9:30 - 5:30 ART AIDS Mural - Victoriaville Mall 9:30-5:30 WetmcsiJAVf, October 4 Women's Healthy Sex Night L.U. Residence Conference Center - 7:00 p.m. Guest speaker - Sandi Covino Condom Blitz at Sharkey's Pub (College). ART AIDS Mural - Keskus Mall 9:30 - 5:30 ART AIDS Mural - Victoriaville Mall 9:30-5:30 TkwrsfcAVf, October f Candlelight Vigil 7:30 p.m. silent walk from ACT-B to Unitarian Fellowship Condom Blitz at the Outpost (University). fa fa fa A review of current medical options Issues relating to dying, death and the grieving process Counselling Native Populations Women's Issues: creating risk awareness for women leading to the early diagnosis of the HIV/AIDS virus and its symptoms Issues relating to youth, peer pressure, sexuality and STD's Legal, ethical issues regarding HIV/AJDS Understanding the fundamentals of counselling Counselling issues relating to drugs, alcohol, and/or other chemical dependencies Last year our counselling conference proved to informative and educational. With each new year the demands seem to be ever increasing in the area of counselling and HIV/AIDS. Registrations are currently from communities throughout Northwestern Ontario. We have some local spaces available. We have started a waiting list for out of town registrants who want to attend. High out of town registrations have restricted our travel budget. If you would like more information about registering or if you are from out of town and would like to get on our waiting list, please call Karen Ferland at (807)768-0699 or (807)345-1516 between 9:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. FribAvp October 6 "Darling Divas" (a benefit drag show) 8:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. admission $5.00 Lakehead University Outpost Canada Has AIDS �Focus on Fvmt> R^isms Thurfoer Bavj AIDS WaIL A WaIU for Life Hop, skip, amble or stroll; whatever suits your style. Join us on Sunday, October 1st for the AIDS Walk. As you walk, people in over 40 communities across Canada will also be walking to raise money for their local AIDS service organizations. We want this to be the biggest and most successful charity event ever for the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay. exercise and uncommonly nice people will leave you feeling like you couldn't have spent your valuable time in a better way. Pledge sheets can be picked up from the office or call us and we will mail one to you. Before you begin collecting pledges call our office and we will assign you a registration number. There is no registration fee. We will provide food, This years Walk is being sponored nationally by: The entertainment, prizes and fun. What Canadian Life & Health THUNDER BAY we ask of you is to collect pledges. Insurance Association, Molson, Ask your friends, neighbours, CBC/SRC, Maclean's/L'actualite family, co-workers or fellow & Canadian Corporate News. students. Then bring your pledges to Local sponsors & contributors the Walk (or avoid the rush and drop are: 94 FM & 580 CKPR radio, them off at the AIDS Committee Lehto Printers, Medicom, office the week before). Whether it Provincial Papers, Investors be $50 or $500 your contribution Group - Mary Ann Gabriele, will be appreciated. Last year the Mari - 1, Thunder Bay average amount collected was Telephone, Wanson Lumber, $134.00. Remember, many small Westfort Credit Union, steps make a difference. So every Lakehead Travel Agency, pledge, no matter the amount, brings Canadian Airlines, Robin's us closer to our goal. Foods, Northern Crystal, Pepsi Cola Canada, Beatrice, The walk will start at the Ortona European Meats & Deli, The Legion and wind its way through White Fox Inn, Magnus Theatre, trails around the Friendship Gardens, The Thunder Bay Symphony over to Confederation College and Orchestra, Toronto Colony Hotel back to the Legion - a lovely 5km and MacEachem Marketing. autumn stroll. Afterward, let us entertain you with music and feast on a late afternoon lunch. Cut-A-Thon A Walk for Life. Everyone knows about AIDS. This is your chance to do something about it. We need your help. Your participation will ensure that the AIDS Committee can continue to offer quality services. All funds will stay in Thunder Bay to provide HIV/AIDS education, prevention, care and support. The Walk is a "We” event. Walk with those you care about. Your steps will help fight AIDS. Ultimately, you will feel great about yourself and what you have accomplished - the combination of Hair stylists from Michael's Hair Design will be sponsoring a fund raising Cut-A-Thon on Sunday, October 8 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Discounts will be given on all regular hair cuts (no chemical processing will be offered - only hair cuts) with proceeds benefitting ACT-B. 10% discount will apply to all haircuts. 20% off to those who bring a donation of canned goods for ACT-B's "Mothers' Cupboard". No appointments will be taken so get there early! Plan to get your new fall look at Michael's Hair Design, 1715 East Victoria Avenue on October 8. �Health Promotion* All About Protease Inhibitors Protease inhibitors are a new type of anti-HIV drug. Protease inhibitors are meant to inhibit, or block, a piece of HIV's machinery called protease. When this protease is blocked, HIV makes defective copies of itself. Protease inhibitors are different from nucleoside analogue^A^T^dCTTWk d4T, and 3TC) tfays. They are more specific in what th£y do. Protease inhibitors block infected cells ffoin proahdng new viru!^\ybrt€"3rugs like AZT cannot prevenK«me"production of new virus. Bec&pse of their specl%activity, proteasarifflubitors most likely do less danTOgeTO’TEflTrthan nucleoside analogies. Studies have shov^ithat protease^nhithtots reduce the amount of HIV vTfusTHat is measurable blood. In some cases, protease increased T4 cell counts even when/tney were These results have encouraged two [drug 1cefrtpanies; that make protease inhibitors to start treatment programs for people wittiMo counts. Most researchers believe that any protease/fnhibitpi will need to be taken with one or more other drijgs such as 3TC (an AZT- like drug expected to xje bvj Uh Ritchie Many questions about protease inhibitors are still unanswered. Despite concerns about resistance, this class of drugs could be a promising treatment for HIV infection. Combining two or more protease inhibitors, or combining them with other anti-HIV drugs may slow dow n the development of resistance. Protease inhibitors are still experimental drugs. The mor^ata TharTS-coMected from people who are actually taking them' ctombinati is, the more answers we'll be able/to provide. Jseywith permissit>n4£om Treatment^ \1J3S Treatment Data Netwo?1C,OKP?l5vp%s treatment bnnario«r^duTwe4ing, educational services and :ase/ anagement support catf(212)260-8868 for fnJbmuition. iTC Access Vro$r*ni Changes AS£il e experimental anti-HIV drug 3TC has been avadhbhrwough an expanded access program for time now. 3TC is a nucleoside analog like the approved anti-HIV drugs AZT, ddl. ddC and Studies seem to indicate that it has less side approved by the FDA very shortly) to get the most is tnan the approved drugs, and works benefit. It is also believed that protease inhibitor parbcukuly well in combination with other anti- HIV monotherapy - taking one protease inhibitor qt a timb\ drugs.^Doctors have been able to obtain the drug for - won't produce the best results, but no finical Th^ir parents directly from the company that makes studies are presently testing any protease fihibitoik^ it, &te*(o Wellcome. Due to problems with drug combinations. Testing one protease inhibitor arsj time rly, jthe entry criteria for this program were may. however, get at least one or more c(f them recefrdv'Vestricted so that only people with under 100 approved more quickly. vf cell£ could be enrolled, and a maximum of 350 Studies have shown that, in some cases^thg could enter the program each week.Glaxo beneficial effects of protease inhibitors used zkone vWelh)ome has now announced that as of August 15th quickly wears off, most likely due to l99p, people with less than 300 T cells can ask their development of resistance. Resistance occurs because Ntocjbr to enroll them in the program by calling HIV makes billions of copies of itself every dky. 1.SP0.248.9757. The number of people that can be Each new HIV virus that gets made is slightly '■'enrolled each week has also been increased to 650. different, which means that the protease part of tKe virus might be slightly different, too. This new kin of protease may not be affected by a drug meant to "Researchers Fmt> AIDS Drug stop the old kind of protease. Signs of resistance have Combination" already been seen in people taking all three of the Washington Times (08/04/95) P. A6 protease inhibitors that are currently in the final stretch of development. Test tube studies have also Researchers at the Wellcome Research Laboratories shown that newer protease inhibitors like Agouron’s in England report that, when used together, the drugs AG 1343 may not be effective in people who have AZT and 3TC appear to be the most effective developed resistance to other protease inhibitors. No combination found thus far to fight HIV. In the one yet agrees on the extent or significance of journal “Science”, the scientists note that when AZT resistance, but there are different opinions. is taken with 3TC. the "cocktail" overcomes the E �HesAtb Promotion viral resistance that decreases the effectiveness of either drug when taken individually. The 24-week-long tests of HIV-infected individuals indicate that the combination reduced the level of viral infection and increased the number of CD4 cells. "Wastmg Svfvtorome-Afforfc^blc Treatments’ AIDS Treatment News (07/07/95) No. 226, P. 6; James. John S. There are inexpensive treatments for AIDS wasting syndrome, which is defined as the extreme loss of lean body mass not due to obvious causes such as nutritional deficiency or intestinal infection. Early data indicates that most patients can be successfully treated using these approaches. One affordable treatment for non-severe. AIDS-related weight loss is testosterone enanthate. when used in combination with an exercise program. The drug has not been proven in clinical trials, but according to Dr. Marcus Conant in San Francisco, it has offered good results. Conant's team has found that people with true wasting respond very well to human growth hormone. Fourteen of 16 severely wasting patients gained weight with the hormone, after finding no success with the approved treatments Megace and Marinol. Ketotifen is another possibility for treatment, though not much research has been done yet on using it for AIDS-related wasting, ft is believed to be very' safe, and is used widely in Europe for asthma and allergies. A third possibility is thalidomide, which is now available though an "underground compassionate access" program through the PWA Health Group in New York or Healing Alternatives in San Francisco. The two FDA-approved drugs for AIDS-related wasting are expensive, and their effectiveness for increasing lean body mass is controversial. "Biaxin OKct> for MAC" POZ (08/95-09/95) No. 9, P. 22 Abbott Laboratories will soon begin selling its pneumonia drug Biaxin (clarithromycin) as a preventive treatment for Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), pending U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval. Clinical trials indicate that Biaxin successfully fights off MAC, a common AIDS infection in individuals with CD4 counts less than 100. The drug, however, has not been compared to the current MAC prophylaxis, Mycobutin (rifabutin) from Pharmacia. One potential problem is that more than 50 percent of the patients who developed MAC while taking Biaxin became resistant to the drug, which only makes treatment of the illness more difficult. "Cancer an& AIDS P«xm KKanagcvncnt Services on WWW" Information Today (07/95-08/95) Vol. 12, No. 7, P. 56 A new World Wide Web site offers educational materials on cancer and AIDS pain management from Roxane Laboratories and the Roxane Pain Institute. Users can easily obtain newsletters, clinical articles, and a schedule of future pain management seminars. "We consolidated information available to health care providers and designed a user-friendly program that provides up-to-date clinical information on managing pain in cancer and AIDS," explains Dr. Kirk V. Shepard of the Roxane Pain Institute and Roxane Laboratories. According to Roxane, it is the first pharmaceutical company to develop an Internet program with the primary focus on pain management. Other services the Roxane Pain Institute offers include an 800 number for health care professionals to access its information program, and a scholars’ programs to educate doctors, nurses, and pharmacists on the treatment of pain and the administration of analgesia. ’"New Strategies Against Virus" USA Today (08/17/95) P. ID A new understanding of how HIV functions is stimulating the search for a treatment. Although scientists used to think that HIV slowly worked its way through the immune system, a recent study indicates that HIV attacks aggressively and does not let up. Dr. David Ho of the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center in New York City says that administering potent antiviral drugs before HIV has an opportunity to reproduce many times over and develop drug-resistant strains may increase the immune system's ability7 to survive. �Potpourri TELL YOV/R STORY!!! HELP VS HONOUR THE PAST DECADE Of WORKING WITH AND AGAINST AIDS This fall/winter marks the tenth anniversary of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay. We have decided to mark this important anniversary by telling "our stories". We invite you to write us a letter, jot down your experience, tell us your story about what HIV/AIDS has been for you during the past ten years. If you have been associated with us - a volunteer, a client, a board member, a staff person, a friend - tell us what the AIDS Committee has meant to you. We will collect all the stories and experiences submitted by October 15, and put them in a binder, to be read and shared through out the coming anniversary year. We hope to publish a selection of the stories, in an economical format, for wider distribution. So please: help us honour ten years of work in the field of AIDS. Share your experience of ACT-B. Help us tell "our stories". THE EXCHANGE Thunder Bay's long awaited needle exchange program "The Exchange" is in its final planning stages. Two staff, Janet Adams, Program Co­ ordinator/Outreach Worker, and Don Young, Outreach Worker, have been hired and are currently working to get the program running by the end of September. Two fixed exchange sites are confirmed and program staff plan to get two more sites "on line" in the near future. Staff will also provide street outreach services including discussions around HIV/AIDS, " ............................ Hepatitis B & C, safer sex and safer injection behaviours, and harm reduction methods. The needle exchanges will be done on a straight one-for-one basis. The goals of "The Exchange" are to prevent the spread of blood borne diseases, especially HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C; to promote safe disposal of needles; to educate on injection drug use and risk reduction; and to advocate on risk reduction issues. For more information about "The Exchange" please contact Janet or Don at (807) 625-9767. Support Groups ACT-B will be running three support groups this fall. They are: HIV Positive Group (for people living with HIWAIDS) 8 sessions - 2.5 hours each (first hour - topic presentation and discussion, second hour - personal experience sharing) Moms of Positive Children For mothers whose children are living with HIWAIDS or who have experienced a death of a son or daughter. 5 sessions - 2.5 hours (first hour - topic presentation and discussion - second hour - sharing personal stories) Bwfctnf’s Support Group (For Buddies of ACT-B) 4 sessions (first hour - topic presentation, second hour personal experience sharing) Please call Sheila at 345-1516 for specific details relating to any of the groups. HAIR CVTS BY KR1ST1EN! Hair stylist Kristien will provide FREE hair cuts for ACT-B clients. To arrange a new do, call your support worker. ~ ^ OPEN CALL TO ALL ACT-B MEMBERS CONCERNING THE I99f ANNVAL GENERAL MEETING The 1995 ACT-B Annual General Meeting will be held in November. An exact date and location have not yet been confirmed. To be eligible to vote at the AGM, you must have a valid current membership, or take out a new membership, at least thirty days in advance of the AGM. Please check your membership card. If it does not say "valid for the calendar year 1995", you've expired! Good grief! Hurry up and renew your membership. Call ACT-B to renew today! �Parting device Thanks to all who helped with the AIDS Committee's participation in the Harbourfest '95 events (especially to those who braved the chilling dunk tank). Your efforts resulted in $4,700 being raised. Thanks also to those who donated to and worked at the yard sale. Our recycling effort raised $950! If you have anything which can be used in the Annual General Meeting silent auction, please bring it into the office in October. ACT-B Afcvisorvj Council Fred Ball Beth Huston Dr. Gordon Milne Bob Richardson Nicky Tittley Rev. Don Uhryniw Volunteers are needed to serve on the committee organizing the late winter Art Auction. If you are interested call John at the office. Or? St? St? S^i . 1 to be a member of the AIDS Committee of Jhuri&cr B^vf! _____Enclosed is my $10.00 membership fee. _____ 1 want to be a Supporting Member. I have enclosed $25.00. ___ 1 would like to help more! Here is a donation of $ Name: Address: City: Province: Postal Code: Telephone: The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay acknowledges and thanks our various funders: Ontario Ministry of Health *+ Health Promotion and Social Development Office, Ontario Region, Health Canada Ontario Trillium Foundation All of the people involved in general fundraising and the support of many local businesses and individuals. Jo-Ann Jacomb, Editor Gerald Taylor, Assistant Editor lan Ritchie, Health Promotion Pages Noel Ward, Writer Director, Public Health Laboratory Director of Administration Kinna-weya Legal Clinic Family Physician Co-chair, Businessman Supervisor of Infection Control, Port Arthur General Hospital Current River United Church, Council of Clergy ACT-B Bo^rfc of Directors Rick Atkinson Rick DeVuono A Downey-Baxter Adele Evans Mahlon lnksetter Gail Linklater Rob MacKay Bob Richardson Diane Roberts Pius White Darryl Williams Treasurer Director Director Vice President Secretary Director Director President Director Director Director ACT-B St^ff Christa Alsch David Belrose Sheila Berry John Books Ryan Bureyko Karen Ferland Jo-Ann Jacomb Lawrence Korhonen Steacie LaChance lan Ritchie Michael Sobota SecretaryEducation Coordinator Support Services Coordinator Fundraising/Communications Futures Program Placement Student Counselling Conference Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator Office Manager Aids Awareness Week Coordinator Support Worker/Health Promoter Executive Director The opinions and medical information offered by "rcACTBelieve" are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the staff or Board of Directors of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay. Medical information offered by "rcACTBelievc" should be used at your own discretion. Please consult your doctor. Please address any comments about "rcACT-BcIlcvc" to: P O Box 24025 Downtown North Postal Outlet Thunder Bay, Ontario P7A 4T0 (807)345-1516 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource David Belrose fonds Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource reACT-Believe Vol 8 Issue 3 - Fall 1995 Subject The topic of the resource Organizations Health and Medicine Description An account of the resource Newsletter of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1995 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/17/2683/1996_reACT-Believe_vol8no4_[v9n1]_2.pdf 6416d1552fbe4cb02ca988742d4a9ad7 PDF Text Text Tke AIDS Committee of TliunJer Bay Winter, 1996 Volume 9f Issue 1 Impact Of New Provincial Government Initiatives In this issue of reACT-Believe, Michael Sobota, ACT-B's Executive Director answers questions about the recent government initiatives. Wc bear a lot about moves tbc new provincial government bas mabe. How have these affected people living witb HIV/AIDS in Thunder Bav<? Shortly after taking over power last summer, the government made a series of announcements including the reduction in the amount of monthly welfare payments, the freezing and/or reduction of non-profit housing initiatives, and cuts to hospitals - mainly in their capital and equipment budgets. There were also numerous reductions in funding for programs assisting women. One peice that has affected our clients is mandatory user fees for each and every prescription filled. The nature of our clients' health needs usually requires a range of prescriptions for different treatments. And they are filled often. If you consider the provincial accumulative effect, the government will collect millions of new "health dollars", by hitting individuals who already have financial difficulties every month. 1 can see how this will impact people living with HIV/AIDS. But what impact does this have on ACT-B? These moves heighten the atmosphere of insecurity about health care. Already vulnerable people are having more stress added to their lives. We expect greater pressures on our Emergency ty Financial ■ Assistance Program (EFAP), .and to see more complex counselling issues arise. ACT-B's core [funding has not been affected yet, and we acknowledge that the Minister of Health, Jim Wilson, has publicly stated that AIDS is a priority within his Ministry. It is important that the Minister has publicly taken this stand, as he must be our voice of advocacy within the Provincial cabinet when more reduction initiatives are being discussed. (tests, referrals) as a matter of economics first, rather than health care first. The bill will also give the Minister the power to control where doctors can practice. It is not illogical to project that we may lose physicians and much needed specialists. The real danger of this legislation is that it is so complex (the draft runs to more than 211 pages) we will not see all of its potential negative ramifications until they begin to be applied. What about Bill 26 - the government's "omnibus bill"? Overall, how bas this government responbefc to H1V/A1DS so far? The nature and sweep of this legislation is so broad that it is difficult to completely understand its impact. For example, the Minister of Health (or his designate) will have the authority to view your personal health records. This authority will be free of litigation, should any of your confidential information become publicly known. That is, the government will not be able to be held at fault, should there be any leak of information. The intent of this power is to review and reduce the costs of "unnecessary tests and referrals" being done by physicians. The nature of the progression of HIV requires tests and referrals to specialists, perhaps more so than with other life threatening illnesses. There are two issues here: a challenge to the sacred concept of your health information being confidential, and looking at the application of health care Again, it is important to restate that the Minister holds AIDS as a priority within his health mandate, and that he has stated this publicly. Direct, core funding to community based AIDS service organizations is stable, so far. The Premier and the Minister have been open to meetings with various community representatives (AIDS Action Now and the Co-Chairs of the Ontario AIDS Network). The Minister has stated his commitment to continuing the Ontario Advisory Committee on HIV/AIDS (OACHA) and ACT-B has representation on the committee. This relationship has to be strengthened and built upon. At the same time, we need to network and build our alliances with other affected communities to address major, major reductions in the overall social safety net. We have some difficult years ahead of us. �10 Years of Service 1995 Atitivial General Meeting - a Celebration! ACT-B’s Annual General Meeting took place on November 15, 1995. The event, which marked our tenth anniversary in this work, was opened by a Native prayer ceremony delivered by Gabe Kakeeway. In addition to the usual business of reports, appointment of auditors, etc. the membership elected our 1995-96 Board of Directors. An Annual Report was distributed. Following the "business portion" of the meeting, a panel of ten invited community members spoke on their experience of ACT-B and HIV/AIDS over the past decade. Panellists were chosen to represent a broad spectrum of personal experience and/or connection with ACT-B during the last ten years. Panel members included Dr. Fred Ball, Norm Bowers, Ryan Bureyko, Marge Cross, Gabe Kakeeway, Betty Kruzick. Rob MacKay. Rev. Don Uhryniw, Pius White and Hazel Wohni. The personal stories were powerful, emotional, not without humour and ultimately very, very moving. This panel was our first effort to pay attention to and give honour to all the individuals in Thunder Bay who have contributed to the struggle against HIV/AIDS during the past decade. We hope to have other events, marking this decade, through out the coming year. Five new directors were elected to the Board, together with seven continuing veterans. For a full listing of the 1996 Board of Directors, please refer to the last page of reACT-Believe. Mvj Greatest Wish So many gone - so many lost to a fight that no one should have to face alone, but all too often do. My only wish - my last request if I had one more minute with all those who are gone, would be to thank them for all that they have left me - for entrusting me with the treasure that was and still is them. My voice will never fall silent - for if it does then their story, their hopes and dreams, may cease to be part of the chorus that many of us now find ourselves in. My friend Ron has shown me so much - both while he was here and now that he is gone - and I am so thankful for all the things we shared. There are still Says that 1 get angry that he is not here to enjoy the changes that he worked so hard to bring about. His greatest wish was to know that I would be all right after he was gone. Today I grant him his last request as I go on with my life missing him - but so much the ^richer for knowing him. Death may be final, but love continues never ending. The love we show each other is the thread - the chorus - that will continue long after We have moved on. It will thread its way through time, weaving a pattern of love, strength and compassion. I have become an unwilling player in this chorus, but I find great pride in being able to add my voice to the song - and humility in knowing my part is only one in thousands - beautiful in its own ktght, but truly miraculous when added to the voices of so many others walking a similar path as I. Today I give thanks for being allowed the privilege of knowing so many men. women and children who are no longer here today. 1 recognize the inner strength it takes to acknowledge and appreciate my loss and the courage it takes to continue in my journey in spite of the pain and grief that comes with that loss. Most of all I am thankful to the Creator for allowing me the honour of being able to call these people my friends. They are greatly missed. I can never express the love and gratitude to all who have been part of my journey - except to tell them all that they are loved and remembered in a thousand ways for every day that sees the sun rise and set over the path I have chosen to walk. In Love and Light.... Trevor Weenink. �EfyitcMwn News NEW IN THE LIBRARY Here is a list of materials that have recently been put into our library. The library7 is open to anyone with an interest; professional, academic or personal. We thank Dorene and Kelson Selliff for their generous donations of educational resource material over the past year or so. This kind of support is greatly appreciated. PRINT MATERIALS HIV/AIDS COMMUNITY RESOURCE DIRECTORY FOR FAMILY PHYSICIANS by Family Medicine North Residency Program and ACT-B THE HIV DRUG BOOK by Project Inform Comprehensively Illustrated Guide to the mostused HIV/AIDS treatments MORNING LIGHT by Margaret Merrifield An educational story book for children and their caregivers about HIV/AIDS and saying goodbye. EMOTIONAL FIRST AID by Sean Haldane A crisis Handbook Coping with Grief. Anger. Fear LAST WATCH OF THE NIGHT by Paul Monette Essays Too Personal and Otherwise MY OWN COUNTRY by Abraham Verghese A Doctor's Stoiy of a Tow n and its People in the Age of AIDS HIV-NEGATIVE by William Johnston How' the Uninfected are Affected by AIDS BISEXUALITY AND HIV/AIDS edited by Robert Tielman et al A Global Perspective A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE by Anthony Godby Johnson One Boy’s Triumphant Story GRIEF, HIV AND AIDS by Canadian Hemophilia Society' A Personal Manual for Comfort. Guidance And Information AIDS: THE GOOD NEWS...TIIE BAD NEWS... by Peter Duesberg and John Yiamouyiannis A look at controversial theory of Duesberg denying the role of HIV in AIDS THE LIVING RESOURCE A Workbook for People Living with HIV OUTING YOURSELF by Michelangelo Signorile How to come out as Lesbian or Gay to your Family. Friends, and Coworkers SAFER SEXY by Peter Tatchell The Guide to Gay Sex Safely HOW WE DIE by Sherwin Nuland Reflections on Life’s Final chapter EIGIITY-SIXED by David Feinberg (novel) CANADIAN GUIDELINES FOR SEXUAL HEALTH EDUCATION by Health Canada NOW THAT YOU KNOW by Betty Fairchild and Nancy Hayward What Every Parent Should Know about Homosexuality Updated, with new chapter. AIDS and The Family VIDEOS FIT by Parkdale Community Health Centre This video focuses on harm reduction for injection drug users WORKING IT OUT by HIV Centre, New York Stories from the Lives of Gay and Lesbian Youth Is there anything gay about it? iI Think about your reaction to meeting someone with HIV or AIDS. Are you seeing a person or judging a lifestyle? People with HIV / AIDS deserve the same acceptance and care as anyone else with a seriojs life-threatening illness. Trade fears for facts. For a free brochure call 1 -807-345-1516 Alps Lummiitee at Thundef Bay I__ -_______________________ _______ �focus on Fvmb Jloosmg available at the AIDS Committee office in March. Chances are that the Cabaret will be in a different venue...so stay tuned. "There is a crack m everything, that's how the light get’s in that’s how the light get’s m" ...Lconarb Cohen ACT-B is fortunate to have a Fundraising Committee which has been tireless in ifs efforts to achieve our goals. They have done a remarkable job this past year. I would like to commend Richard DeVuono. Adele Evans, Cheryl 1 Everall. Mary Ann Gabriele. JoAnn Jacomb. Sonya Matijek, and Robert Shepherd for their dedication and perseverance. I also acknowledge the contribution of the many volunteers who work at every fundraising event and in particular those who help us with bingos and casinos. Each of these volunteers helps the light get in. Briefly, a few comments about a very busy AIDS Awareness Week which saw a lot of fund raising activity. ACT-B thanks the Darling Divas for the generous donation of the door receipts from their show. And our thanks to Ryan Burevko and JoAnn Jacomb for organizing the Social. Of singular note, was the response of many local businesses to the AIDS Walk. In particular, we are grateful for the generous assistance from Lehto Printers. Corporate Graphics, Unisource and Mediacom. Over SI0,000 in pledges were collected for the Walk. Planning for next years Walk has already begun. The Healthy Sex Cabaret will run for two nights. March 15 and 16. Tickets are $15 and will be The quote which leads off this article is also the theme of Art AIDS 96. The auction will be on March 23, at the Nor Wester Resort Hotel. There will be some wonderful an and crafts up for bid. Also this year, the live auction will include several lifestyle and service packages in ifs list. Tickets are S20 for an exciting evening of fine ait. jazz. wine, hors d’oeuvres and camaraderie. Indeed, this will be a interesting year. Many service organizations are experiencing cuts to their budgets and will be fundraising in earnest. I am confident with the help of our new Board of Directors, the Fundraising Committee and many volunteers that ACT-B will once again meet its goals. Th^nh-Vou Thunder B<\Vjl Our Holiday Basket project was again a success in 1995. 17 festive baskets and nine overflowing envelopes were distributed to clients and their families. ACT-B would like to thank project co­ ordinators Kristen and Nikki Myles for their hard work and dedication to this project. Their volunteer efforts are gratefully appreciated by all! We would also like to thank the following individuals for thengenerous donations to our baskets: Kim MauroHopkins. Eva Green. Michael Sobota. Linda MacKay, Helen Rose. Betty Kruzick. Ruth Racic and Richard DeVuono. lou are cordially mated to the RIT)S (on in utter of Thunder 13ay s Third Rnnual IUyT flLDS Q6 - Spreading Lite Light art auction |k Tickets: $20.00 lllarch 2.3, IQQO (available at ft(T~13 office) llor Wester Resort I [otvl includes complimentary hors d oeuvres cash bar sjxmsored by C13Q Radio J:00 p.m. the Chronicle Journal �Health Promotion PMPA in Perspecfive by John S. James PMPA is the experimental anti-HIV drug which gained national attention in mid November, after a governmentfunded study, published in Science, reported that oncedaily doses for four weeks completely protected macaque monkeys from SIV (a virus which is closely related to HIV) even when given 24 houj>-afteTexposure to the virus; all the untreated-monkeys developed infectionand disease. No drug\toxicity was found. No other potential treatment has been able to do this. .AZT, for example.\gave sfx percent pro^ctidTrwfrerTgiven before exposure and zerd protection after closure (in othej; studies, which wefe no^ exactly comparabtei^M^hdther antiviral, PMEA, which is chemically related^to PMPA, .protected -40 of f2 monkeys when given before exposure, but only one M five monkeys which received the treatment fottr hours after exposure to the virus. / / * f While the recent media coverage may s6.em excessive j especially since PMPA has never been taken by even a single person, and human toxicity is unknown - vVe^elieve that the new results are of first - rate importance/ Besicjes} the obvious potential uses in preventing infection after needle - stick injury, and in preventing material-infhptj transmission (which is believed to usually occur at the time of birth), PMPA is clearly an important lead as a possible treatment for established infection. Of course no one knows if it will be useful for this purpose until it i^tried. AIDS Treatment News could not finish an in-depth investigation of PMPA in time for this issue. Butidue to the widespread interest, we wanted to mention s few background points: # Some people have tended to dismiss the finding that this drug can protect monkeys after exposure, sibce PMPA is chemically very close to PMEA, which is w&U known and already in clinical trials. We believe suc^ quick judgement is a mistake. Even though the chemi&d change is small, PMPA is a new chemical entity. Even a" small chemical change can have a huge impact on the safety', efficacy, and clinical potential of a new drug. % PMPA, PMEA. another derivative of PMEA called bis-POM PMEA, as well as some other antivirals now being developed for human use, are members of a new class of drugs called nucleotide analogs (as opposed to nucleoside analogs such as AZT and ddl). Like nucleoside analogs, nucleotide analogs stop HIV replication by providing false building blocks which are incorporated into bvf RitcVnc new viral particles when they are formed. But nucleotide analogs do not need the chemical processing inside the cell which nucleoside analogs do; therefore, they are potentially able to work in all cells, not only cells which can provide the processing which nucleoside analogs require. # Nucleotide analogs are being developed by Gilead Sciences. INC., of Poster-City, California, not only for use in treating HfV, but also for treating CMV and mother Viruses. At this time it appears that the first nucleotide apalog likely to reach widespread human use for treating -HIV may’ be bis-POM PMEA - b^eattse4t-s£eths to have a bettertherapeutic window between active .arid toxic doses than PMEA itself, it canl)e4ak««-oraffiy. and it is already in human tjialsv- No one knows how bis-POM PMEA will compare with PMPA. " -... ~ kIt may be hard to tell quickly how well nucleotide Analogs, are working. For reasons which are unknow n, viral load usually shows only modest reductions comparable to that from AZT - even when other informatietl suggests that these drugs may be working better than the viral load changes imply. (We would Suggest u^jng symptom-reduction trials to study this kind pf cJVug - $mall. rapid human trials to see if an anti-HIV jjpig can help people recover from ongoing AIDS-related symptoms which have been resistant to conventional treatments. # , PMPA illustrates some of the problems of delay in AIDS dtyig development. The newly-published results on protecting monkeys with PMPA were mostly available about a year ago (untreated monkeys were clearly infected at three weeks after exposure to the virus, but the paper reports results for up to 56 weeks after exposure). During this' year few people knew about PMPA, which was previously mentioned in only two published AIDS-related articles, both highly technical; many who might have been involved in advancing this line of work were not. (We do pot blame Gilead Sciences for the delay, as it was not their -Study, but a government study - and Gilead's plate is full with at least six different treatments it is now developing for HIV and related conditions, as well as other treatments for other diseases. The paper was submitted to Science in April 1995, and accepted in September.) PMPA is now undergoing standard animal toxicology testing, in preparation for human trials as a potential treatment. The first human test, however, will only use a single dose, to determine whether the drug can be absorbed orally (it was injected in the monkey-protection �study). If the drug is not orally available, development will probably w'ait until an oral version can be designed. For years there has been a myth that an injected HIV treatment would not be acceptable in the marketplace: and there is also a regulatory disincentive to proceed immediately with a treatment that must be injected, as the company will later have to start over again if it wants an oral version. These delays do not appear to be anyone's fault. But they do show that we have a problem which needs to be addressed. It is not being addressed today. reproduced from AIDS Treatment News, Issue Number 236, December I, 1995 Ttaltoom toe's Elusive Access by Dave Gilden In September, Treatment Issues reported the imminent availability of thalidomide through a compassionate use program for those with AIDS-related wasting. Thalidomide, which blocks tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production in the body, is a possible alternative to the largely expensive human growth hormone - another experimental anti-wasting treatment. (For more on human growth hormone and thalidomide, see the May. 1995 Treatment Issues.) Lamentably, the expanded availability of thalidomide has not come to pass. The delay has been due to the difficulties in working out the details of the protocol under which thalidomide is offered and the “cost recovery" provision through which Celgene. the manufacturer, is to charge for the drug. The original version of the protocol elicited considerable criticism from the AIDS community. The thalidomide expanded access program sounded almost like a trial to many. It was to randomly assign applicants in a blinded fashion to a relatively low dose (50 mg) or a high dose (200 mg) of the drug and record their response. Program participants would have to pay $550 for a three-month drug supply regardless of which dose they were receiving a price that was only approved by the FDA on October 13. “The issue is that in trying to avoid granting another compassionate use program, the FDA has created a far worse problem: undoing years of a simple ethical standard that keeps pharmaceutical companies from charging trial participants to be guinea pigs," complained Sally Cooper in a widely circulated open letter. Cooper is director of New York's PWA Health Group, a buyers club for unapproved drugs with AIDS- related applications. In a meeting between FDA officials, Celgene and AIDS activists on October 24. the randomized dose portion of the program was eliminated. Patients' physicians will determine the dose of thalidomide they will receive, and the data collection effort will focus on safety information. "Now. (the protocol) will have a more compassionate use slant." said Sol Barer, president of Celgene. The company will still charge for the drug but is committed to providing thalidomide free to a substantial number of people who could not otherwise obtain it. While awaiting the start of the Celgene program, thalidomide is available to people with AIDS-related wasting in three ways. The first way is through one of several trials, including Celgene's placebo-controlled eightweek trial for people with AIDS-related wasting and not active or recent opportunistic infections. (Call 800/TR1ALS-A for more information). Free thalidomide may be obtained temporarily through an FDA screening process that previously was only concerned with thalidomide for people with aphthous ulcers, but now is also trying to bridge the gap until Celgene puts into practice the expanded access protocol. The FDA does not ship thalidomide but rather authorizes Celgene to send out drug on an individual basis to those in need, to whom there is no charge. The FDA says its eligibility criteria are very loose - there is no specific percentage of weight loss to qualify, for example. For more information, call the Food and Drug Administration at 301/443-9553 or fax 301/443-8445. Another way to obtain thalidomide is through two buyers clubs. New York's PWA Health Group and San Francisco's Healing Alternatives Foundation. The PWA Health Group charges $22.50 for a ten-day supply ($15.50 for people on Medicaid) - less than half of Celgene's "cost recovery" charge. Like the FDA. the buyers clubs say they will end their distribution of thalidomide when Celgene commences its program. When the thalidomide expanded access protocol goes into effect, people with HIV and an involuntary weight loss of ten percent will be eligible to receive thalidomide, regardless of concomitant opportunistic infections or other medications (including other anti-wasting therapies). Because of thalidomide's propensity to cause severe birth defects, women engaging in "reproductive sexual intercourse" will be required to practice two methods of contraception, preferably one hormonal and one barrier method. Celgene's "thalidomide hotline" can be reached at 1-800896-8766. reproduced from Gay Mens Health Crists - " Treatment Issues ” Nov. ‘95 �199f Donors ACT-B thanks the following businesses and Corporate supporters who so generously assisted us in 1995. Your partnership is our lifeline! Glaxo Wei Iconic Lchlo Printers Limited Bombardier Employees 4 C's Fund Northern Crystal Inc. Canadian Airlines Lakehcad Travel Agcnc\ Ltd CBC/SRC The Canadian Life & Health Insurance Association Maclcans/L'actualile Canadian Corporate News Corporate Graphics Northwest ‘>4 FM/ 5X0 CKPR European Meats and Deli Investors Group (Man Ami Gabriele) Magnus Theatre Pepsi Canada Prinlables Robin’s Foods Inc Thunder Bay Symphony Thunder Bay Telephone Unisource Canada Inc. Valcntc's Music While Fox Inn Mediacorn Inc V.B Cook Employees Charitable Fund Superior Trailers Ltd. Bearskin Airlines Secondary School Teachers Charily Fund Kaisu & Partners Bank of Nova Scotia Toronto Dominion Bank Ladies Auxiliary Fort William Branch #6. Royal Canadian Legion Wc tfo<xv»k our commvmitvj partners*. Employees of West Fort William Credit Union Confederation College Students Union Employees of Prince Arthur Hotel Lakehcad University Student Union Employer's Advocacy Council Rainbow Printers Ltd Truck & Diesel Hydraulics Bell Canada Sunshine Painting Non Teaching Charity Fund of the Lakehcad Board of Education Alexander & Alexander Reed Stenhouse CBQ Radio Hot Tub Express Arthur's Used Furniture The Kitchen Store Inc The Black Unicom Valhalla Inn Lowery's Ltd. Port Arthur Brasserie Black's Photography (County Fair) Rainbow Books Grand & Toy Kelly 's Nutrition Centre Mister J Men's Fashions Shopper’s Drug Mart Sweet Thursday Bookshop The Body Shop Mari - 1 Furniture Inc. Prince Arthur Hotel The Keg Restaurant Dino's Bedding & Decor Creative Lighting IntcrCity Sports Northern Lights Antiques The Treasurc House Ltd Shear Heaven & You Par-t-Golf Enviro Tec Silk & Cedar Perl's Framing Perth's Services Changes - The Ultimate Music Store Tree Top Toy s Inc Amos & Andes Imports Harrington Court Dining Room Inc. Floral Design One Mount Baldy Ski Area Power Centre Eagle Feather Art Esthetics by Linda The Framing Experience The Finnish Book Store Boston Pi/./a Casey's Restaurant Pi/./a Pi/za Domino’s Pizza Mystic K Mart Canada Safeway Limited McDonald's Restaurant Zeller's Limited The Kidney Foundation GP Movie Rental Bandito Video Galaxy Bowling Lanes Mario's Bowl Merlin's Bistro Global Experience �Profiles Lawrence Korlioticti In the AIDS movement. Lawrence Korhonen would be considered a dinosaur. He has worked at the AIDS Committee since January 28. 1988. Lawrence recalls those early years fondly. "Back in 1988, ACT-Bwas funded for 2.5 people. I was the point 5 staff. I was only half as big as I am now", he quips. Lawrence feels that he has grown with the position over the years. "When 1 first started, I did lots of different things; fund raising, education and some volunteer management. As the agency has grown, my position here has become more specific." Now, Lawrence is employed full time as the Office Manager. Lawrence has a passion for the arts and spends hisspare time volunteering with a local amateur theatre group, Cambrian Players. He recently played the challenging role of John Merrick, in the group's production of The Elephant Man. He was also in the cast of The Cocktail Hour. Jitters and Glengarry Glenross. Lawrence serves on the Cambrian Board and assists with financial matters. One of Lawrence's most notable achievements was bungy jumping. His intent was only to watch, but before he knew it, had a rope tied around his ankles and was plummeting off a tower. Any disbelievers are welcomed to view his souvenir video! Over the years. Lawrence has been instrumental in many major changes at ACT-B. He helped to facilitate the move to our new office space by developing the blue prints and overseeing many aspects of the operation. He organized the Annual General Meeting for three years running and coordinated the event that featured Svend Robinson as the keynote speaker. Attendance at this meeting was over 300 - a record! He participated in bringing two Ontario AIDS Network meetings here. He continues to support and facilitate change at ACT-B and is a dedicated employee. D^rrv^l Willi^ms The mid-winter snows find me tucked away in Darry l William's cozy apartment nestled amid his vast angel collection. There are angels displayed everywhere; all shapes, sizes and textures, representing a only a small part of his collection. Every one has a story, most are hand-made by A special people in Darry l's life. Darryl is one of ACT-B's angels. He came to us a year ago to "only serve on the Board". Soon, he was sitting on various committees, working the bingos and casinos and even did a shift "sitting above" the dunk tank at Harbourfest! Volunteering has always been a part of Darryl's life, starting with the Sea Cadets and Navy League in his younger years. After Business College, he began volunteering at McKeller Hospital and eventually landed a part-time job there. He is now entering his 14th year of employment with the Hospital and is currently working as pharmacy stock clerk/purchasing and inventory control. Why did Darryl start volunteering at ACT-B? "I knew people that were involved with ACT-B and others who had AIDS. I thought this w'ould be a good opportunity to be of service in the community. I am a firm believer that one should put back into the community rather than always taking. One should be involved - be productive with your life." Darryl’s future plans include entering a livein relationship with his partner. He is also eager to continue his work with ACT-B as President of the Board. We thank Darryl Williams for his hard work and effort on behalf of ACT-B. He joins the ranks of ACT-B's angels! In IQQ5, over 2/2 Volunteers donated more than J,QOO hours of service to the HKDS Gommittee of Thunder IBay ! Thank-you Volunteers! �Potpourri fiCT-B presents the 8th annuel Healthy SEX Cabaret March 15 & 16,1996 Dr. Bill stars in "THE SEX TRIffL CflBfiRET" with Dab Patterson, Kim Hanson, Rodney Brown and many more! Two new locations to be announced! Call 345-1516 for details 3TC 3TC (Lamivudine)has recently been approved in Canada. As a community' based worker, my main concern with the approval of 3TC is the accessibility of this new drug. According to Diedre Maclean at the Community' AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE), this drug will cost $4.20 per pill or $3100.00 per year. For people who are receiving social assistance (FBA, GWA), they are at the mercy of the Ontario Conservative Government to add this drug to the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary (which is a list of drugs that the government will provide free of charge). Sources inside the government are reporting that the Conservatives will NOT be adding this drug to the formulary . We are currently mobilizing our resources to ask the government to add this drug so if people wish to access it they can. We live in a country that used to have a health and social safety net where by every single person had equal access to basic human needs, we are now seeing an erosion of these basic services in favour of "debt reduction". Is this a path that we as citizens wish to follow? Not this kid!!! by Ian Ritchie WISH LIST We are in search of a TV/VCR stand on wheels, for use in training sessions. We also require building supplies - sheets of plywood, 2 x 4’s, hinges and nails to build a garbage container. If you have any items to donate, please call Jo-Ann at 345-1516. OMN1BVS HEARINGS On January 10, 1996, Michael Sobota presented a brief to the parliamentary committee holding hearings on the Omnibus Bill in Thunder Bay. He voiced concerns about the confidentiality of client's health records and anonymous testing. We have yet to see if these hearings will have any effect on the substance of the new bill. �Partins Glance The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay acknowledges and thanks our various funders: ACT-B Abvisorvj Covmcil Health Promotion and Social Development Office, Ontario Region, Health Canada Fred Ball Mary Lee Berry Richard DeVuono Gail Linklater Dr. Gordon Milne Diana Smith Nicky Tittley Thunder Bay WINS! Rev. Don Uhryniw All of the people involved in general fund raising and the support of many local businesses and individuals. ACT-B Bo^rt> of Directors Ontario Ministry of Health - AIDS Bureau WI MEMBER <=» t= the THUNDER BAY LOTTERY COIP. SUPPORT Q Rick Atkinson Joyce Bames James Budd Rick DeVuono Adele Evans Carmen Klassen Mahlon Inksetter Gail Linklater Rob MacKay Paul Mahony Tony McQuilter Darryl Williams Director, Public Health Laboratory Ogden East End Health Centre Co-Chair Co-Chair Family Physician Thunder Bay District Health Unit Supervisor of Infection Control, Port Arthur General Hospital Current River United Church, Council of Clergy Treasurer Director Director Director Vice President Director Secretary Director Director Director Director President ACT-B St^ff cr'*- cr^- cr^- Q~^‘ cr^*- cl-*. cr^- cr^- 1 wAtit to become a member of tbc AIDS Committee of Thunder Bav^! _____ _____ Enclosed is my $10.00 Membership fee. 1 want to be a Supporting Member. I have enclosed $25.00 _____ I would like to help more! Here is a donation of $ Name: Address: City Christa Alsch David Belrose Sheila Berry John Books Ryan Bureyko Jo-Ann Jacomb Lawrence Korhonen Jennifer Peter Ian Ritchie Michael Sobota Secretary Education Coordinator Support Services Coordinator Fundraising/Communications Futures Program Placement Student Volunteer Coordinator Office Manager Social Work Placement Student Support Worker/Health Promoter Executive Director The opinions and medical information offered by “reACT-Believe'” are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the staff and Board of Directors of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay. Medical information offered should be used at your own discretion. Please consult your doctor. Please address any comments or concerns to: rcACT-Believc Province: P O. Box 24025 Downtown North Postal Outlet Thunder Bay ON P7A 8A9 (807)345-1516 Postal Code: Telephone: CL^^- cr^- CL^^> cr^- cr^- cr***- cr^~ Cl-*- cr^*- c Jo-Ann Jacomb, Editor Gerald Taylor, Assistant Editor Ian Ritchie, Health Promotion Pages � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource David Belrose fonds Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource reACT-Believe Vol 8 Issue 4 (Vol 9 Issue 1) - Winter 1996 Subject The topic of the resource Organizations Health and Medicine Description An account of the resource Newsletter of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1996 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/17/2684/1996_reACT-Believe_vol9no1_2.pdf 934d12da4ba291dfa1fbe95d105e99de PDF Text Text rcACT-Believc The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay CaII to Renew the "NAtiovtAl AIDS StrAtegvj by Michael Sobota, Executive Director The Federal government's National AIDS Strategy ends in March 1998. This strategy spells out the role and responsibility of the Federal government in responding to HIV and AIDS in Canada, and commits the government to certain levels of spending in making that response. Included in the commitment to spending, is support for research in Canada related to HIV/AIDS, the National AIDS Secretariat, to the Canadian AIDS Society and the AIDS program of Canadian Public Health Association. As well, the National AIDS Strategy delivers funds across the country to local community based AIDS organizations (ASO's) through the AIDS Community Action Program (ACAP). Locally, that filters down to approximately $50,000 annually to ACT-B. These funds support our Health Promoter position, as well as our annual AIDS Awareness Week activities. Healthy Sex Cabaret, our regional social marketing campaign and a workshop series called "Positively Well.” S o the National AIDS Strategy plays a vital role in supporting important, national goals as well as significant community activities. The strategy is in danger of lapsing. To date the government has no plans or process put in place to continue the work against HIV/AIDS in Canada beyond March, 1998. The National AIDS Strategy, which funds ACT-B’s Health Promoter Position is in danger of lapsing. ACT-B is joining our sister ASO's in Ontario and across Canada, to urge action on renewing the National Strategy as a health priority. Meetings have been arranged with the Federal Health Minister to express this urgency. The Minister, while sympathetic, has said he needs to hear the support of local MP's from across the land, that renewing the National AIDS Strategy is important. We will be advocating vigorously with our local MP's. We invite you to express your own feelings to Thunder Bay's two MP's: Stan Dromisky (Thunder Bay-Atikokan) 1500 S. James Street, Thunder Bay ON P7E 6N7 FAX: 577-1905 Joe Comuzzi (Thunder Bay-Nipigon) 180 Park Avenue Suite 210, Thunder Bay ON P7B 6J4 FAX: 345-4752 A simple letter, calling for a renewal of the National Strategy in support of national research funding and local, community activities would be helpful. It is very important that our MP's hear from as many individuals as possible. Under our Cover... Education News AIDS in the News Profiles Focus on Fund Raising Volunteer Corner Health Promotion Insert —.................................. 2 3 4 5 6 ..— �EDUCATION SERVICES AIDS INFORMATION PHONELINE The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay has a range of services available to the community. Most of these are easily accessed in Thunder Bay, but we do offer services in the region on a costrecovery basis. 345-SAFE (7233) STAFF TRAINING, PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS We will tailor presentations and/or workshops to meet the needs of your organization. We offer agency work­ shops for staff, clients, or both. We can also offer workshops for schools, community groups, or others. RESOURCE CENTRE 217 S. Al5<miA St, ACT-B maintains a well-stocked li­ brary of books, videos, posters, pam­ phlets, information files (including treatment information), etc. We have a number of magazines and newslet­ ters. Most material is available free to the public on loan, or for reference in the resource centre. Condoms and lu­ bricant are also available free. Here is a partial list of the areas that can be covered: Y working with clients who may be HTV positive Y HTV/AIDS updates Y living with HIV/AIDS Y infection control procedures Y sexual orientation issues and/or homophobia Y legal and ethical issues Y healthy choices, including safer sex Available anytime for a recorded message. Calls during office hours (9:30 - 5:00 pm. weekdays) are answered by staff who provide information or coun­ selling on issues related to HIV and AIDS. SOCIAL MARKETING CAMPAIGN The campaign involves placing ads in regional news­ papers designed to combat stigma and work towards promoting a supportive social environment. We have completed the first two years of the three year pro­ ject. The first year involved four ads, the second year four ads plus a poster, and a brochure address­ ing homophobia. A disease breeding intolerance? Each year of the project has been Having HIV breading in one's body is bad enough Why should It also txeed intolerance? evaluated through People with HIV / AIDS deserve the same acceptance and care as anyone else a regional tele­ w«h a carious Me-threalening illness. 1 rad8 tearstor tacts for a tree brochure call 1-807-345-1518 phone survey. AUK Canter M o( Thunder Bay AIDS AWARENESS WEEK This is an annual event, that is part of the National AIDS Awareness campaign. Each year has a differ­ ent focus. In 1996 the theme will be "SUBSTANCE USE AND HIV". We urge communities, organiza­ tions, and individuals to become part of this annual effort. ADVOCACY ACT-B is involved in a wide range of advocacy con­ cerns. These include, but are not limited to, direct support issues. We attempt to keep abreast of emerg­ ing issues and act when appropriate. These have in­ cluded access to treatments and drugs, the cost of treatments, sexual orientation concerns, language and human rights issues. We often work in concert with the Ontario AIDS Network and the Canadian AIDS Society. �AIDS m the news ♦ AIDS STAMP Canada ’s first AIDS stamp was unveiled on May 8, 1996 On May 8, 1996, AIDS Service orga­ nizations and Canada Post joined to unveil Canada's first commemorative AIDS stamp. Created by Joe Average, the design features a multi-coloured stained glass window of faces with a heart at it's centre. It was commis­ sioned for the XI Interna­ tional Conference on AIDS, which is being held in Vancouver from July 7 to 12, 1996. In Thunder Bay, our presentation was held at Keskus Mall on Saturday, May 11. Philatilists were able to purchase limited edition stamps that were em­ bossed with a "day of issue" and ACT-B butterfly logo stamp. The stamps are an attractive addition to collections. Get yours at your local Post Office. Center, Treatment Center, Global Link, In­ formation for Patients, Patient Support Groups, and a Glossary. Not all of the links are fully developed, but there is some very useful, readily available information here. This "web" site has some valuable medical information. I have been to the site and downloaded several files. Some of the more interesting articles include: "Evaluation and Management of Early HIV Infection: Clinical Practice Guidelines" This article is about 200 pages (takes 10 minutes to download) and contains in­ formation on Drug Regimens for Adults and Adolescents, Drug Regimens for Children, and Standards of Care and Prophylaxis for opportunistic disease. If you are looking for information about HIV/AIDS treatments, call The Network. This is a FREE service sponsored by Health Canada. All information is current and your call is confidential. Check it out! WEB SITE The AMA has introduced a new valu­ able resource for HIV/AIDS informa­ tion supported by a grant for Glaxo Wellcome on the Internet. The ad­ dress for this new resource is "http://www. ama-assn. org/special /h iv/h ivh ome. htm It provides information in 9 cate­ gories: Journal Scan (the most recent significant HIV publications), Newsline, Practice Guidelines, Ethics setvke Wingue disponible The ALL CALLS CONFIDENTIAL Tuesday — Thursday 10:00om to 10:00pm (Eastern im) Friday 10:00om to 7:00pm (Eastern Time) Comprehensive, up to date information about HIV/AIDS treatments Network 1-800-263-1638 HIV/AIDS Treatment Information MSE. �Profiles by Jo-Ann Jacomb, Volunteer Coordinator Richard DeVuono The first time I saw Richard DeVuono, he was wear­ ing a bright crimson coloured sports jacket with a perfectly matching tie. I was impressed. The second time I saw Richard DeVuono, I heard him laugh; one of those laughs that cuts through a crowded room - the contagious kind that makes you want to laugh along. I was impressed. Rick is an all round good guy. He is a de­ voted and conscientious volunteer who brings a wealth of business knowledge to the AIDS Committee. I am still impressed. Rick's interests are varied and numer­ ous. He enjoys movies (especially foreign films, swimming, bike riding, cross country skiing, gardening and candle making. He claims to be a "naive home improvement specialist." "I'm putting a bathroom in the basement and it's almost finished after two years!" Richard's real passion is cooking. "I love watching cook­ ing shows, memorizing what they are making and then adding my own variations. I fmd cooking a very creative activity." With this special skill in mind, Rick is co­ ordinating the Cheese Cake BakeOff for Harbourfest this summer! Rick is presently serving his second year as a Director on ACT-B's Board. He likes his commitment with the AIDS Com­ mittee because "everyone makes me feel welcome". Rick has worked on many notable projects at ACT-B, but the one that he remembers fondly is last years Walk. "I think bring­ ing in a thousand dollars for the Walk was a highlight because I actually achieved that goal. I also enjoyed participating in last years AGM." So if you hear a great laugh across a crowded room, and glance up to see someone dressed in a splashy outfit, it's probably Richard DeVuono. Thanks Rick! Christa Alsch There is a desk that sits in the middle of the office (the hub of all we do). A woman sits, poised by the telephone, ready to field any questions that come her way. The pulse of the agency, Christa Alsch is our secretary/receptionist. Christa has worked at ACTB for three years. Coming from the Kinnewaya Legal Clinic, her strength and interest in computers has proven to be an invaluable asset. Christa told me that she enjoys her work at the office, " I like the people and the atmosphere. I like the fact that anyone coming into the office can feel comfortable." Although Christa was bom and raised in Thunder Bay, her extended family live in Germany. Five years ago, she made her first trip to her parents homeland and fell in love with the country. She spent four weeks visiting relatives and discovering her cultural heritage. She also discovered the Autobahn and since then, her driving has never been the same! When not at work, Christa enjoys crocheting, walking her dog Senta, bicycling, and learning new computer programs. She spends time with her partner Wayne refinishing their older character home. �Focus on Fvmt> Raisins Preparing for a busy year! by John Books, Fund Raising Co-ordinator e fell a little short of our fund raising goal for 1995 and finished the fiscal year with $73,000 brought in to this agency. It was a very valiant and coura­ geous effort made possible only through the dedicated work of our fund raising committee and a great many volunteers who con­ tributed their time and energy. These are difficult times for many in Thunder Bay and Ontario. Business and government changes have created an atmo­ sphere of caution and anxiety. Re­ gardless of whether one thinks the changes are good or bad, they have put increased pressure on all kinds of organizations. Many of them need more support and fi- Ourfund raising goalfor this year is $80,000. nancial assistance from the com­ munity and that has resulted in intense competition for the fund raising dollar. This affects the AIDS Committee at a time when there is an increased need for our services. In the coming year, we must maintain our level of service to the community. Our goal for the coming year is $80,000. To help us achieve this goal, we hope to add several more bingos to our schedule and will concentrate our efforts on the Our new Nevada Ticket outlet is Mike's Milk at the corner of Red River Road and Clarkson. Buy your tickets there to support ACT-BI. national Walk in September. Here are some of our upcoming events: Klondike Casino will be June 14, 15 and 16 at Casey's. If you would like to volunteer, please call Jo-Ann. Harbourfest will run from July 19 through 21 in beautiful down­ town Thunder Bay North. The AIDS Committee will sell pop­ corn during the three day festival and also sponsor a cheese cake bake-off. Enter your cheese cake at our competition and you may win some valuable prizes! Yard Sale will be in mid August. Stay tuned! The Walk will take place on September 29. If you are inter­ ested in serving on the Walk or the Fundraising Committee please call us. A sincere thanks to the Thunder Bay Lottery Corporation (Thunder Bay WINS) for its donation of $1010 to the Emer­ gency Financial Assistance Pro­ gram. Your financial assistance helps us to provide emergency aid to our clients. Your donation is greatly appreciated! �Lert&mg There's no shortage of activities for the willing volunteer to help with! & FUnfr Diverse opportunities for volunteers MY LIFE AS A PLACEMENT STUDENT AT ACT-B! Volunteers are our life line! Their commitment and dedication penm­ ates everything we do. To give you an idea of the enormity of their in­ volvement with the AIDS Commit­ tee of Thunder Bay, last year over 200 volunteers logged almost 8000 hours of service! This impressive show of support translates into en­ hanced quality service. by Jennifer Peter, Social Work Student Working at ACT-B over the last few months has been quite the ex­ perience. I didn't know what to ex­ pect as I have had no previous experi­ ence in the HIV/AIDS field. What I have learned will be invaluable to me in the future. During my 5 month place­ ment, I have worked in both the Edu­ cation and Support Services Depart­ I am often asked about the types of ments. Serving a dual role has been activities that volun­ a great learning op­ Last year, over 200 teers perform while portunity. Some volunteers logged almost at the AIDS Com­ of my duties included mittee. There 3000 hours of service! the Social Marketing seems to be a pre­ Campaign, the conceived notion that volunteers Health Agenda Forum, staffing edu­ only help those who are HIV+ or cational display booths, Art Auction, who have AIDS. However, duties support work and other duties as re­ are diverse, with client care being quired (a phrase just about everyone only a small portion of the requests in the office knows by heart). I have that I receive. What follows is an en­ also been visiting community agen­ capsulated description of the various cies to tell them about ACT-B and the volunteer opportunites available services we provide. All in all, this here. has been fulfilling work. As my placement draws to a Clerical: close, I would like to thank all the Upon arriving at the office, visitors staff for their mentorship, friendship are greeted by reception volunteers. and humor. You have made my These people donate 1/2 day each placement a truly enjoyable experi­ week to answer phones, perform ence. clerical duties and input information into the computer. These volunteers play an important role in the day to day operation of the office. Continued on next page.... �(Volunteer Opportunities continued...) Education: ACT-B has a wide array of books, magazines and treatment articles in our library. These materials are avail­ able for use by the general public. Volunteers assist with cataloging, shelving and organizing the library. They may also assist with special ed­ ucation projects such as the organiza­ tion of AIDS Awareness week (first week in October), and the Social Marketing Survey. Voionteers lend a deiping dand in many ways. We gratefoiiy appreciate yoor donation of 2 doors of service per wontd or 20 doors! Fund Raising: This continues to be an area where volunteer committment is needed on an ongoing basis. Our goal is to raise $80,000 this year. The Fund Raising Committee (comprised of volunteers) designs innovative ways to raise money. Volunteers are always needed to assist with the actual events - which are numerous. They include: a monthly bingo, casinos. The Walk, bake sales, yard sales, raffles, Harbourfest, socials, Art AIDS (the art auction) etc... etc... etc... Committee Work: Volunteers serve on all committees attached to ACT-B. 12 people serve on our Board of Directors and 8 com­ munity members sit on our Advisory Board. A core group of volunteers assists each of the Education, Fund Raising and Support Services Com­ mittees. Their role is to offer the guidance and direction that shapes those departments. The Mothers' Cupboard Food Bank Committee meets monthly to generate new sources of food for our clients food bank. This group of volunteers works diligently to access help from our community. Support Services: If you are interested in working di­ rectly with people living with HIV/AIDS, we may be able to match you in our Buddy Program. Volun­ teer Buddies are matched with clients on a one to one basis. They may be able to help with practical skills such as grocery shopping or meal prepara­ tion; or provide a social link into the community. The client's individual needs are met by volunteer buddies. Training is provided. Volunteers lend a helping hand in many ways. There is no minimum or maximum time committment re­ quired. We gratefully appreciate your donation of 2 hours of service per month or 20 hours! I hope this gives you an idea of all the ways to get involved. If you’d like to become a volunteer at ACT-B, feel free to call me, Jo-Ann Jacomb at the office (345-1516). �Parting Glance The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay acknowledges and thanks our various funders: > > Ontario Ministry of Health - AIDS Bureau Health Promotion and Social Development Office, Ontario Region, Health Canada > Thunder Bay WINS! > All of the people involved in general fund raising and the support of many local businesses and individuals. The opinions and medical information offered by “reACT-Believe” are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the staff and Board of Directors of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay. Medical information offered should be used at your own discretion. Please consult your doctor. Please address any comments or concerns to reACT-Believe P.O. Box 24025 Downtown North Postal Outlet Thunder Bay ON P7A 8A9 (807)345-1516 0s*. 0***. 0s*. 0s* 0s*. 0s*. ACT-B Abvisorvj Council Director, Public Health Laboratory Mary Lee Berry Ogden East End Health Centre Richard DeVuono Co-Chair Gail Linklater Co-Chair Dr. Gordon Milne Family Physician Diana Smith Public Health Nurse, Thunder Bay District Health Unit Nicky Tittley Health and Safety Officer, Thunder Bay Regional Hospital, Port Arthur Rev. Don Uhryniw Current River United Church, Council of Clergy Pius White Community Consultant Fred Ball ACT-B Boart> of Directors Rick Atkinson Treasurer Joyce Barnes Director James Budd Director Charlene Burford Director Richard DeVuono Director Maryanne Gabriel Director Mahlon Inksetter Secretary Carmen Klassen Director Gail Linklater Vice President Rob MacKay Director Noel Ward Director Darryl Williams President 0s* I want to become a member of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay! _____Enclosed is my $10.00 Membership fee. _____I want to be a Supporting Member. I have enclosed $25.00. _____I would like to make a donation of $_____. ACT-B Staff Secretary Education Coordinator Support Services Coordinator Fund Raising Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator Office Manager Support Worker/Health Promoter Executive Director Name: Christa Alsch David Belrose Sheila Berry John Books Jo-Ann Jacomb Lawrence Korhonen Ian Ritchie Address: Michael Sobota City, Province & P.C: rcACT-Bclicvc Contributors Jo-Ann Jacomb Editor Richard Boon Layout and Design Ian Ritchie Health Promotion Pages ACT-B Staff and volunteers Telephone: X X X X X X XXX �Promotion Is Our Drinking Water Safe? On March 28, 1996, the Globe and Mail reported that there was an outbreak of Cryptosporidium in the Collingwood, Ontario water supply. This is important for people living with HIV/AIDS in Thunder Bay, because like Collingwood, Thunder Bay lacks the necessary water filters to stop Crypto from getting into our water supply. In 1993, 150 people in the Kitchener-Waterloo area were infected, and towns in Alberta and Manitoba have also reported outbreaks. The worst outbreak of crypto m North America occurred in 1993 in Milwaukee Wisconsin; 400,000 people became ill and 100 people died. There has also been reported outbreaks in San Francisco, Las Vegas and Denver. Symptoms The symptoms for Crypto infection include; diarrhea, intestinal cramps and vomiting. These symptoms usually last several weeks. Although this parasite is normally not fatal, it can be life threatening for people living with HIV/AIDS, especially for those who are farther along in their disease progression. Treatment Standard anti-diarrhea medications, intravenous fluids, electrolyte management and oral rehydrating therapy with appropriate fluids such as juice, broth or commercially available products are usually recommended, but there is no recognized, effective treatment for Crypto. Prevention In September 1995, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued prevention guidelines for HIV positive individuals. These include: S Washing Hands frequently may be the best prevention strategy. S Always wash hands before preparing food. S Wash hands with soap and water before eating anything, after touching dirty diapers or after touching clothing, bedding or surfaces soiled by diarrhea. S Often overlooked as a source of Crypto, garden soil may be contaminated by neighborhood pets or farm animals in rural areas. Wear gloves while gardening and wash hands when you are finished. S Practice safer sex. Crypto can be found on the skin, in the genital area, including the thighs and buttocks of a person infected with Crypto. Always wash your hands after touching any animal. Farm animals, particularly young ones, should be considered a source of infection. Contact should be followed by careful hand washing. bvj Un Ritchie S Most house pets are safe. Young puppies or kittens should be examined by a veterinarian for infection. An HIV positive person should avoid cleaning cat litter boxes or disposing of pet stools. If help is not available, gloves should be worn and hands washed after the gloves are removed. S Wash and/or cook all food. If safe water is a concern, wash in water that is known to be Crypto free. S Peeling fresh fruits and vegetables that will not be cooked also reduces the risk of Crypto. S Unpasteurized drinks are not safe. S When travelling, especially in cities where previous outbreaks have occurred, it is advisable to drink only bottled water or boiled water. S Drinking water safety can be enhanced by boiling water, filtering or drinking safe bottled water. Boiling water for at least 1 minute will completely kill Crypto. Filtering water with an appropriate water treatment unit can reduce the risk of infection. Not all water treatment units are effective against Crypto; in fact, most are not. The CDC guidelines of September 1995 recommend only 3 categories of filters: 1) Microstraining filters that can remove particles 0.1-1 micron in size (make sure they are labeled “absolute” not “nominal”). 2) Units that work by reverse osmosis 3) Units that meet the National Sanitation Foundation International (NSF) Standard 53 for “cyst reduction”. Listen for local “boil water” advisories from the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. They are required to issue a warning if Crypto is detected in the water supply. If you are camping or drinking lake water, a local Thunder Bay store “Gear Up For Outdoors” has a product called “Sweet Water” that will filter out Crypto. If you need further information about Crypto or any other opportunistic infections, please call Ian at 345-1516. Source: Bulletin of Experimental Treatments for AIDS March 1996 �Good Food On A Low Budget i It's hard to make a small income stretch to afford all the food you need. Here are some shopping and cooking ideas which can help you save money. © Plan what you will eat and make a list of what you need to buy. Buy the treats only if you have extra money. © Read the flyers and plan some of your meals based on what foods are on sale. © Corner, Convenience stores are usually much more expensive than larger stores. © In larger stores, look for what is cheap. Often the most expensive items are placed at “eye level” so you will pick them first. No-name and store brands are usually cheaper than name brands. © Shop around the edges of the store first - this is where you will find the basics; milk, meat, fruit, vegetables and bread. © Check the day old table. Use coupons - but only for items already on your shopping list. © Buy bulk items - you can buy the amount you need and bulk is often less expensive. © Avoid “convenience” foods such as packaged pizzas, canned spaghetti and frozen chicken pies. They cost a lot! Many packaged foods can be made easily and cheaply at home. © When buying cereals, plain cereal is the best buy, pre sweetened cereals cost more. Cereals you cook (like oatmeal) are really cheap. © When buying milk products, buy skim, 1% or 2% in bags. It’s much cheaper than the cardboard boxes. © Vegetables and fruits that cost less are apples, oranges, bananas, carrots, potatoes, cabbage and turnip. In winter, frozen vegetables are a good buy. © Meat alternatives like eggs, beans, lentils and peas are the very best buys. Use beans and lentils in soups and stews. Coneider other options to save money on food: Community Kitchens - Four to six people get together once or twice a month to cook large quantities of food. Each person takes home several meals to feed their family. A great way to stretch you food dollar. Food buying Clubs - A group of people meet to shop for large, bulk amounts of food and then divide the food and cost up. This really saves money! Good Food Boxes - A box containing good nutritious food that is paid for at the beginning of the month and delivered at the end of the month when food and money are running low. The cost of the box is usually very cheap for the amount of food you get. Coming to Thunder Bay Soon! reproduced with permission from the Ogden East End Community Health Centre � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource David Belrose fonds Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource reACT-Believe Vol 9 Issue 1 - Spring 1996 Subject The topic of the resource Organizations Health and Medicine Description An account of the resource Newsletter of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1996 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/17/2685/1996_reACT-Believe_vol9no3_2.pdf 24b7f790d5726d6f93b284a4890647e0 PDF Text Text rcACT-Believe The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Fall, 1996 Volume 9, Issue 3 NAtion^l AIDS Awareness Week! September 30 - October 6, 1996 TBeme: Substance Vse amS H1V/A1DS The AIDS Committee of Thunder ♦ thinks that steroids are Bay will participate in National different from other drugs and AIDS Awareness week activities uses dirty needles... and events from September 30 - ♦ is unaware of the risks of October 6, 1996. The goal of this substance use and unprotected campaign is to raise awareness sex... ♦ is afraid to seek help for drug about the relationship between substance use - which includes addiction due to the stigma alcohol and other drugs - and attached to it... HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS has generated a whole new set of GETT/NG HtGH? challenges when it comes to the GBT7/NG HOT? issue of substance use. The direct harms associated with drug injection in particular and the indirect harms associated with substance use overall have greatly increased since the appearance of j;":‘ S|pg&S Jr y HIV. 'D AIDS Committee of Thvmber Boaj Membership Renewal Notice! Our Annual General meeting will be held in November. In order to be an eligible voting member, you must have a valid membership 30 days prior to the meeting. Please help to make us strong. Renew your membership today! Memberships only cost Si0.00. Use the handy form on the last page of the Newsletter to renew. fbONT TAKE CHANCER WITH HIV/AIDS. If you are, or know someone A/woys use a fonrfoimi who... Each time. Every ♦ drank too much alcohol or National AIDS smoked too much pot at a Awareness Week party one night and then September 30 to October 6 r mor» intefmahon coll: engaged in unprotected sex... ♦ has not talked to their kids about the risks of substance ♦ has a partner who uses use, unprotected sex and injection drugs and refuses to HIV/AIDS.. use a condom during sex... ♦ does not have access to bleach or new needles... ...then HIV/AIDS could affect ♦ uses dirty needles to inject you. (continued on page 4...) alcohol so that it won't be detected on the breath... Under our Cover... AIDS Awareness Week Schedule of Events “Opening More Doors” Substance Use & HIV The AIDS Walk Potpourri Parting Glance Insert 2 3 4 6 7 8 �AIDS Awareness Week Schedule of Events {as of August 30, 1996) AIDS Walk Lakehead University Outpost Registration: 12:00 Noon Opening Ceremony and 5 km. Walk: 1:00 p.m. Entertainment and food to follow Tree Planting Ceremony Marina Park: 11:30 a.m. Information Display Lakehead University Agora 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Workshop “Substance Use and HIV” Lakehead University Residence, Conference Room A - 7:00 to 3:00 p.m. Open to the General Public Workshop at the Smith Clinic (details T3A) Shaw Cable Television - Channel 7 Live Call-In Show 9:00 p.m. Condom Slitz - Sharkey’s Pub Confederation College - Evening “Opening More Doors” Regional Counselling Conference, Prince Arthur Hotel, begins at noon Candlelight Vigil 7:00 p.m. Prince Arthur Hotel Condom Slitz - Lakehead University Outpost Evening “Opening More Doors” Regional Counselling Conference Community Dance for Lesbians, Gays, Sisexuals and friends, St. John Ambulance 513 Fort William Road - 9:00 p.m. Information Displays will be up at Confederation College and Intercity Shopping Centre during the week. Call the office (345-1516) for details. 2- - �“Opening More Doors” MW Ontario Regional HIV/AIDS Connselling Conference During AIDS Awareness Week, The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay will host its fifth annual regional counselling conference, “Opening More Doors”. Registrants from across Northwestern Ontario will have the opportunity to network with colleagues and learn more about working with individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS. The conference will be held on October 3 and 4, 1996 at the Prince Arthur Hotel. Funding has been provided by the Ontario AIDS Bureau, Ministry of Health. In the past four years, the counselling conference has been a popular and successful venture. The participants have been impressed with the quality of the presentations as well as the knowledge of the facilitators. The networking has proven a valuable tool in our regional work. A wide variety of topics will be addressed during this conference. They include: ♦ Barriers facing individuals in Northwestern Ontario:/ Issues relating to smaller centers, rural life, confidentiality, anonymity, etc. ♦ Issues relating to dying, death and the grieving process. ♦ Counselling family members of someone with HIV/AIDS ♦ Issues relating to youth: peer pressure, sexuality and STD's. ♦ Issues regarding wills and funeral arrangements. ♦ Drugs, alcohol and other chemical dependencies as they relate to HIV. ♦ Counselling native populations. If you would like more information about the conference please call Karen Ferland at 345-1516 or 768-0699 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It’s Mot Too L^te! The Federal Government’s National AIDS Strategy ends in March 1998. This strategy spells out the role and responsibility of the Federal government in responding to HIV and AIDS in Canada, including the delivery of funds to community based AIDS organizations. Please write to your Member of Parliament, calling for a renewal of the National Strategy in support of national research funding and local community activities. Stan Dromisky, M.P. (Thunder Bay-Atikokan) 1500 S. James Street Thunder Bay ON P7E 6N7 Fax: 577-1905 3 Joe Comuzzi, M.P. (Thunder Bay-Nipigon) 180 Park Avenue, Suite 210 Thunder Bay ON P7B 6J4 Fax: 345-4752 �Get To Kvtow More About Drugs, THE LINKS (continuedfrom front cover....) The three main links between substance use and HIV/AIDS involve: ♦ needle sharing, ♦ impaired judgment or heightened sex drive due to drug use; and ♦ cultural expectations people have around sex and drugs, especially alcohol. All communities are affected by substance use - but in different ways. Needle and syringe sharing among people who inject drugs is a major factor in the spread of HIV. According to the World Health Organization, people who use dirty needles to inject drugs are the second largest, and in some places, the fastest growing group of AIDS cases in developed countries. Injection Drw5 Vsc *y\X> H1V/A1DS Although alcohol consumption and non-injection drug use do not directly affect the spread of HIV, there are many indirect impacts associated with their use. Being under the influence of a substance may lower inhibitions or impair perceptions of danger, making unprotected sex seem less risky. Needle and syringe sharing among people who use injection drugs is a major vehicle for the spread of HIV. Sharing needles allows HIV to pass directly from the bloodstream of one person to the bloodstream of someone else. When an individual injects drugs, some blood gets pulled back in the needle and syringe. The blood left in the needle and syringe is shot into the bloodstream of the next person who uses it. If the equipment is not sterilized with bleach before it is shared and one of the individuals is already infected with HIV, the virus is very likely to be passed on. The above risk factors may seem obvious. Not so obvious, however, are the underlying reasons why people turn to drugs and alcohol in the first place. This campaign explores how self-esteem and depression can lead to both excessive substance use and unprotected sex. As well, the campaign tries to break down some of the stigmas that surround both substance use and HIV/AIDS. Failure to respect the rights and dignity of people who use drugs may promote the hidden use of drugs and impair our efforts to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. When the virus is present among drug injectors, and when unsterilized injection equipment is shared, the spread of HIV infection can be very rapid indeed. In Milan, Edinburgh, and New York, the prevalence of HIV infection (the percentage of people with HIV) among drug injectors grew rapidly, with 50 percent or more infected within a few years of the first appearance of the virus in these populations. IN THUNDER BAY CALL The Exchange • • • • • Needles/Syringe Exchange HIV/AIDS Education Counselling & Referral Condoms Bleach Kits Phone: 625-9767 (Source: Addiction Research Foundation and the World Health Organization's Global Programme on AIDS.) Pager: 626-7308 (Janet) 626-7507 (Don) 4- - �ThefdeK a*d *Duidtcct f&DS jla*Uf-dac (Z&MHiUKttty r%w43£ &eHfae ‘Tteua ttecentUf in t&e 'Hecva. . . Many groups and individualsfrom around Northwestern Ontario are invoked in AIDS work Ifyou would like to promoteyvi rorganization or activities, subrrntyour articles to reACT-Believe for inclusion in our next newsletter. The nextpublication is scheduled to be in your mailbox at the begintwigofDecetriber. ONTARIO The “Opening More Doors ” Counselling Conference is a regional initiative. Have you registered yet? *Dupie*i yt'FDS &Muticttee 'Hfi attct fS.cc*uu*ufr! We would like to ex­ tend an invitation to all of our neighbours in North­ by Kevin Crigger western Ontario to join us Chairman, Dryden & in this event. District AIDS Committee If you would like more details regarding the walk, Dryden Ontario is now or about our services, offering support services please leave a message at 1 for persons affected by - 807-221 - AIDS (2437). HIV/AIDS! All messages are confiden­ The Dryden and Dis­ tial. trict AIDS Committee has been operating officially jd&tytac for about a year . The di­ rectors have volunteered countless hours from their own busy schedules to or­ My name is Louise ganize functions which Marcil. I am a volunteer promote AIDS awareness with the AIDS Committee and education in Dryden of Thunder Bay and have and in the surrounding been for four years. communities. Presently, I live in Longlac On September 29, and work at the Longlac 1996, we will be hosting Community Health Centre our second annual AIDS in Health Promotion. Walk: A Walk For Life. My role is to facilitate presentations for any size of group and to access material and resources regarding HIV/AIDS related issues. I also offer short term counselling and ongoing support to individuals and/or family members who are affected by HIV/AIDS. As part of the health care team at the Health Centre, I am able to provide referrals to our primary care physicians for medical support. NOTE: Primary care services are limited to clients within our catchment area: Longlac, Caramat, Long Lake Reserve #58 and Ginoogaming First Nations. All other services are available to anyone who comes in or calls the health centre. I am also available to travel to Geraldton. If you are in the area and require information, support or a liaison to ACT-B, please call me at (807)876-4887 . �^ecenttcf, i*t t&e 'TIcom,. . . Taken from Thunder Bay’s Chronicle Journal, Monday August 24, 1996 AIDS grows among natives Numbers approach epidemic proportions across Canada by Warren Goulding The Canadian Press Canada's aboriginal people are waging a losing battle against AIDS and health professionals say the situation is approaching epidemic proportions. Official statistics show the aboriginal rate of infection far exceeds that of mainstream society. But natives who work with AIDS victims say even those numbers are low. Between five and seven per cent of Alberta's 140,000 aboriginals, including Metis, may be infected, said Jo-Anne Daniels of Edmonton's Feather of Hope Aboriginal AIDS Preventions Society. Some reserves and tribal groups in British Columbia have rates of infection approaching 10 per cent - 100 times the rate in the overall Canadian population, said Rod George of Healing Our Spirit, a B.C. group working with infected natives. Health Canada estimates that one in 1,000 Canadians is infected with IIIV, the virus that can lead to AIDS. "In one study, we found that one of the tribal groups with about 7,000 members had a 10-per­ cent infection rate," George said. "That's 700 people in one tribal group." Eighteen AIDS-related deaths have been reported in the group so far in 1996. George said the infection is most widespread among B.C. natives. The problem is particularly acute in Vancouver's downtown east side where three people are diagnosed with the virus each week. "I think the younger generation seems to feel invincible to it," he said. "They seem to have the idea that only gay people or needle users are going to get it." Denial is a major problem among many aboriginals. George's study revealed half of native women refuse to be tested for HIV or won't reveal test results. An estimated 600 native women in B.C. are HIV positive, said George. "Many of them don't say anything for fear of abuse, violence or being ostracized or shunned - things that native communities do." AIDS activists in other provinces are discovering similar trends and patterns of denial and discrimination. "It's a disease that's killing our children," said Daniels in Edmonton. "It's claiming our future and our past at the same time. We're in a lot of trouble." As of January, Health Canada statistics show 176 reported AIDS cases among aboriginal people, or 1.4 per cent of the total number of cases. Health Canada researchers blame unprotected sex and injection drug use as the leading causes of the high infection rate among natives. AIDS is a global epidemic. We ARE affected in Northwestern Ontario. �Alcohol, Sex A>it> H1V/A1DS People who use injection drugs and share unclean needles are at great risk of being infected with HIV. Some F^cts To Consibcr ♦ As of April 1996, 1047 AIDS cases in Canada could be attributed to injection drug use. Of these, 484 cases (354 men and 130 women) could be directly attributed to injecting drugs, and 563 cases involved men who have sex with men and who also use injection drugs. ♦ Of the total adults in Canada with AIDS, 3.6% have identified their only risk factor as injection drug use. Another 4.2% of those people with AIDS identify two possible risk factors - injection drug use and being a man who has sex with men. Therefore, the proportion of AIDS cases in which injection drug use is a factor is 7.8% - almost double what it was before 1987 when it was 4%. Because the epidemic among injection drug users in Canada is in its early stages, we can expect the proportion of injection drug user cases among all AIDS cases in Canada to increase over the coming years. ♦ ♦ The incidence of HIV among injection drug users in Montreal is estimated to be five new infections per 100 users per year, which is one ofthe highest rates in North America. Alcohol, Other Dru^s *r\Z> H1V/A1DS The role that alcohol use may be playing in the spread of HIV infection has received relatively little attention in Canada. We know that alcohol and sexual risk often coincide - in terms of venues, opportunities for sexual encounters and in terms of individual behaviour. Studies in various populations have found correlations between alcohol use and sexual risk. Interestingly though, many researchers now think that our cultural expectations around alcohol and sex are more important than the physical effects of the substance. Generating dialogue on this issue is extremely important. People need to explore their own thinking about alcohol and sex and to what extent we are all influenced by social attitudes. Some studies say that there is a correlation between substance use and the practice of unsafe sex. Others contend that there are other contributing factors such as poverty, racism, lack of education, misogyny, internalized homophobia, etc. Other 1 mks ♦ ♦ Research has indicated that alcohol, as well as street drugs, damage the immune system, leaving the user open to infection and disease. The cause of AIDS is a type of virus (called a retrovirus) which changes the structure of the cells it attacks. It may require the presence of an already damaged immune system before it can cause disease. Since 1994 in Vancouver, there has been a steady increase from 2% to 6% in the proportion of injection drug users who test positive for HIV (Source: "Alcohol drugs and AIDS: what's the (among those who go for HIV testing). connection?", San Francisco AIDS Foundation.) (Sources: Health Canada’s Laboratory Centre for Disease Control: Second National Workshop on HIV, Alcohol, and Other Drug Use Proceedings, 1994: Horizons 1994: Alcohol and Other Drug Use in Canada, Health Canada and the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse) - 5- �Imagine if something you do every day could help fight AIDS. Like \VAlk1vt5 for instance! Sunday, September 29th, starting from the Outpost at Lakehead University, the people of Thunder Bay will walk a 5 kilometer course and return to the Outpost for refreshments and entertainment. As never before we neeS \\our kelp. Though there is some hope in the treatment of AIDS, that will not stop it from spreading. The trend in Thunder Bay parallels national patterns with people becoming infected at a median age of 23. This means that many are becoming infected three to five years before that. We cannot become complacent now. So join us on Sunday September 29th. Before you Walk, collect as many pledges as you can. Think of a friend you would like to walk with and ask if they would also collect pledges. Call the office and let us register you as an official pledge collector for the AIDS Walk. On the same day over 60 communities across Canada will also be walking. Last year over $2,500,000 was raised to help the fight against AIDS in 40 communities. All mouctj r*isct> in Thur\S>cr will stevj here! First prize for most pledges collected is a trip for two to Toronto and accommodations at the Toronto Colony Hotel. Other prizes include massage gift certificates by Jeannie Tuomi and Kathryn Loftus and one nights accommodation at the Nor’Wester Hotel. Locally, the Walk is sponsored by 94 FM, the Argus, Canadian Airlines, Domino's Pizza, The Finnish Bookstore, Janzen's Pharmacy, Lakehead Travel Agency, Kathryn Loftus RMT, MDS Laboratories, McEachern Marketing, Mediacom, Molson, North Algoma Confectionery (442 N. Algoma St.), Nor'Wester Resort Hotel, The Outpost Pub, Rainbow Printers, Toronto Colony Hotel and Jeannie Tuomi RMT. AIDS WALK CANADA A PLEDGE IS THE FIRST STEP Call the AIDS Committee office for more information - 345-1516. 6- - �'PotfauwU uy- &Aeeaecal&e (fAatlenye <t Succeaa! fuat to hold cfou and Aiac you liAe *Tve dane aa "tatty tune* aya. *7o ^eel laved and needed. *) Attacv that aameday tAeae ^eelittya- cvill Ae ntctte attee ayain. fuat to- have aaid yoad-Aye to cfou. AiAe you- cvanted to and *1 needed to da ao Thank you to all the businesses and individuals who entered our first annual Cheesecake Bake-Off. The 31 entries were delicious! Special thanks go to Anne Ciemny and Christa Alsch for their invaluable organizational skills. Thanks also to Stokes, Zellers & Coles’s Book Store for their generous donation of prizes. We gratefully acknowledge our judges - Brenda Jakubowski, Floranne Faulkner and Andy Weiler. Aodly. *) lave- (face veny much and *) altvaya tvcll. 'poneven- you tvcil 6e in my tAouyAta. We gratefully acknowledge a grant from the Norman M. Paterson Charitable Foundation toward the purchase oj a new agency vehicle. ‘Day, eveny tvaAiny moment. “When *} loaA (mound and (AinA yaune *Z/tp (f-ominy Sventa- tAene. *) (veil pictune you amiliny. coitA anrna- open cvede. >HiyAtf 'When *7 tunn in my 6ed and fcttd only emptineaa-. *7 vmII cvicA (fou tAene cvitA me. 7o hold you once ayain and cvAiapen in youn can. 07lty dean- acveet man, *)'H aee cfou on the otAen aide. 9<U On October 26, 1996, the trio 3hoadtwap t&uued/ will be hosting a benefit concert for the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay and the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra. Featured music will include show tunes from “Les Miserables”, “Crazy for You”, “Miss Saigon”, “Showboat” and dozens more. The concert will take place at St. Paul’s United Church, 349 Waverley Street at 8:00 p.m. Tickets: $10.00 ACT-B and Definitely Superior present an evening with performance artist David McLean. 'Ttavelofae is a Solo performance which explores issues of gay identity, male intimacy, spiritual searching, desire and loss in the midst of the AIDS era. The performance will be held November 29, 1996, 8:00 p.m. at a location TBA. Tickets are $5 for students, ACT-B & Definitely Superior members. $10 general admission. Tickets for both events will be available at the ACT-B office 217 South A Igoma Street. Information ? 345-1516 �PArtin5 GIaucc The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay acknowledges and thanks our various funders: > > Ontario Ministry of Health - AIDS Bureau Health Promotion and Programs Branch, Ontario Region, Health Canada > Thunder Bay WINS! > All of the people involved in general fund raising and the support of many local businesses and individuals. The opinions and medical information offered by “reACT-Bclicve” are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the staff and Board of Directors of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay. Medical information offered should be used at your own discretion. Please consult your doctor. Please address any comments or concerns to rcACT-Believe P.O. Box 24025 Downtown North Postal Outlet Thunder Bay ON P7A 8A9 (807)345-1516 a*** a*'*. I want to become a member of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay! _____Enclosed is my $10.00 Membership fee. _____I want to be a Supporting Member. I have enclosed $25.00. _____I would like to make a donation of $_____. Name: Address: City, Province & P.C: Telephone: <9*^ <9^ <9^> <9^ <9^» <9^ ACT-B Abvisotnf Council Director, Regional Public Health Laboratory Mary Lee Berry Ogden East End Health Centre Richard DeVuono Co-Chair Gail Linklater Co-Chair Dr. Gordon Milne Family Physician Diana Smith Public Health Nurse, Thunder Bay District Health Unit Nicky Tittley Safety Coordinator, Thunder Bay Regional Hospital, Port Arthur Rev. Don Uhryniw Current River United Church, Council of Clergy Pius White Community Consultant Fred Ball ACT-B Boarfc of Directors Rick Atkinson Treasurer Joyce Barnes Director James Budd Director Charlene Burford Director Richard DeVuono Director Maryanne Gabriel Director Mahlon Inksetter Secretary Carmen Klassen Director Gail Linklater Vice President Rob MacKay Director Noel Ward Director Darryl Williams President ACT-D StAff Secretary Education Coordinator Support Services Coordinator Fund Raising Coordinator Regional Counselling Conference Coordinator Jo-Ann Jacomb Volunteer Coordinator Lawrence Korhonen Office Manager Ian Ritchie Support Worker/Health Promoter Michael Sobota Executive Director Carri-Anne Whidden AIDS Awareness Week Coordinator Christa Alsch David Belrose Sheila Berry John Books Karen Ferland rcACT-Believe Contributors Jo-Ann Jacomb Editor ACT-B staff and volunteers Typing by Anne Ciemny and Jason � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource David Belrose fonds Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource reACT-Believe Vol 9 Issue 3 - Fall 1996 Subject The topic of the resource Organizations Health and Medicine Description An account of the resource Newsletter of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1996 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/17/2686/1996_reACT-Believe_vol9no4[1]_2.pdf dc1cf15dec8d20393eac8f7ea8a9ef30 PDF Text Text reACT-Belicve The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Winter, 1996 Volume 9, Issue 4 Substance Vse Outreach Project hits Thvmber Bavj streets Over the next seventeen months, a Substance Use Outreach Project (SUOP) will be present on the streets of Thunder Bay. This project is designed to promote HIV prevention in the local substance using community over a limited time period. This population is difficult to reach and is increasingly at risk of HIV infection. The project will evaluate the effectiveness of a three-part innovative approach. 1) A Peer Ambassador Program will recruit and train five members ofthe target population to do peer outreach by sharing information, providing condoms and offering alternatives and/or referrals to health services. 2) A Bar Outreach Program will offer several “Bar Nights ” in local pubs, promoting HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. 3) An Advertising Campaign will be created to provide prevention information through creative transit ads, electronic displays, posters, information cards and matches. Program Coordinator, Janet Adams, says “this program incorporates some exciting and innovative approaches to disseminating HIV prevention strategies and education to marginalized populations.” This project is coordinated by the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay and will run until March 31, 1998. Funding for the project comes from the last of the federal government’s National AIDS Strategy. This funding ends in March 1998, although HIV/AIDS continues to spread locally — especially in the substance using community. For more information about the SUOP call Janet at 345-1516. Vr»t>er the cover..... SUOP hits the streets Agency Activities Youth Outreach. Special Friends Healing Our Nations Reflections Parting Glance 1 2 3 4&5 6 7 8 Health Promotion Insert: Hepatitis �A 5 c w c M A c t i V Fvoit>r^i5m5 News Annu&] General Meetm5 by John Books by Jo-Ann Jacomb It has been an extraordinary year — one of many challenges. ACT-B has completed 11 years of work and on November 19 hosted it’s 10th Annual General Meeting. I want to thank everyone who has lent their support to us in the past year. I hope you have enjoyed the events organized by the AIDS Committee. Recently, 355 people attended the annual AIDS Walk at Lakehead University. More than $10,500 was raised to support the work of ACT-B. It was very gratifying to see so many people join in the walk on September 29th. Thank you to The Outpost for their assistance in making the event so successful. Thank you also to everyone who collected pledges. We are planning another Healthy Sex Cabaret in March. Join us for a little fun after the long difficult winter! And Art AIDS, our annual art auction will be held in April. If you are an artist or crafts person, we would appreciate your contribution to this event. The auction is one of the best of its kind in the city and helps to bring in more than $6,000 in revenue for ACT-B. This year we hope to add items donated from various t i c ft s Outstanding volunteers were recognized for their work on behalf of ACT-B. Karen Ferland was credited for her unfailing contribution over the years and for coordinating the past five “Opening More Doors” regional conferences. Gail Linklater was given a plaque of appreciation for her six years of service on the board of directors. Thanks were also expressed to retiring board members Richard DeVuono and Mahlon Inksetter. The membership elected the 1996-97 board of directors. They are listed on the last page of this newsletter. The Guest Speaker at the AGM was Mark Bulbrook, Executive Director of the Ontario AIDS Network. He spoke about the Krever Inquiry, AIDS in the hemophiliac community, and AIDS in the third world. It ft 2 - - �Vouth Outreach — Northern Prifce by David Belrose, Education Coordinator Working with Northern Pride youth group and doing HIV education has shown first hand the challenges posed by homophobia and heterosexism. Growing up lesbian, gay or bisexual in Northwestern Ontario is still a major challenge. Negative attitudes by family members, peers, teachers at school, and religious groups help to foster an atmosphere of great difficulty for many of these teens. Since February 1995 a support and education group — now called Northern Pride — for lesbian, gay and bisexual youth has been running in Thunder Bay. The group was created to assist lesbian, gay and bisexual youth to develop the knowledge and attitudes that will allow them to gain control over and enhance their well-being. It also provides an educational component that includes issues of healthy decision making, self­ esteem, negotiation skills, safer sex, self-image, dealing with stigma, homophobia and community development. As well, it offers a safe and confidential setting for lesbian, gay and bisexual youth to meet, discuss issues of common interest, explore feelings and share concerns. Parents, teachers and counsellors need to recognize the problem and begin to work to make schools safe for everyone including lesbian, gay and bisexual youth. 1 -800-268-YOUTH Studies have found that oppression and homophobia contribute to higher rates of suicide, alcoholism and drug use among lesbian, gay and bisexual youth. The atmosphere of homophobia and heterosexism in high schools, families and elsewhere, combined with a lack of social support, can make it very difficult for lesbian, gay and bisexual youth to develop the sense of self-esteem that will assist in making healthy choices around sexual and substance using behaviours. Participation in the group is open to youth, up to age 25, who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or who wish to explore issues of their sexual orientation. The group adheres to the principles of: confidentiality, non-judgmental, respectful of diversity, respectful of the right to self-determination in terms of identity. As co-facilitators of Northern Pride, Barbara Spencer and David Belrose are prepared to work with any individual or group to help create a safer and more supportive environment for lesbian, gay and bisexual youth. Call 807-345-1516 or 807-6226121 for more information. A support and education group for gay, lesbian, bisexual youth. Call 345-1516 for details. 3 - - �Special friends.... Darkle Dollar by Jo-Ann Jacomb Colourful? Effervescent? Unique and unusual? How shall I begin to explain ACT-B’s support worker/health promoter? Standing only 4-feet 10-inches tall, Daryle is indeed a spit fire. Her life history and personal experiences make any Sunday night “Made for TV” movie a dull affair. Daryle has lived life to the limit and is not afraid to talk about it. Adopted by the Cano family at birth, she has since met her biological family. (This story in itself is good enough for the National Enquirer!) Running away from home in her teens, Daryle became a heroin addict and consequently contracted Hepatitis C. 8 1/2 years of her life have been spent incarcerated in the Kingston Penitentiary. She will be on parole for the rest of her life. Sound like a depressing story? Not so. Out of life’s greatest tragedies, Daryle has managed to find positive lessons and strength. background credibility. that gives her Daryle is deeply sensitive to the needs of clients because, in many cases, she “has been there.” She serves on the Board of Directors of the John Howard Society and is frequently asked to speak to groups about her experiences. Daryle recently became a nonsmoker. She quit because “it was making the dog sick.” Her latest addiction is to bingo which she plays (and wins at) regularly. Her dream is to live in a log cabin somewhere in the wilderness of Northwestern Ontario. She gains her strength from the Native Culture and is a Jingle Dress Dancer. Daryle adds life and character to ACT-B. She brings a uniquely different perspective to this work and we all learn from her experience. She has been recovered from the heroin addiction for 18 years. While in prison, Daryle gained a Social Work degree and now uses her experience to help others. DArms hope... A view from tVn's sibe by Rob MacKay I spoke at ACT-B’s regional Opening More Doors Conference in early October. What follows are excerpts from that speech interjected with some of my questions, thoughts and concerns about the changing face of AIDS care. “My new glasses, my grey hairs and Hope. This person with HIV never thought about aging. When I got my new glasses I asked my optometrist with some concern, ‘Why do I need glasses? What is wrong with my eyes?’ He replied quite simply, ‘Nothing. You are getting old.’ You see, I had no hope or expectation of aging. The thought had not entered my mind. I was aging — my eyes are failing..../like that! I now wear my new glasses as a badge of honour — a rite of passage. Whenever I get my hair cut, inevitably, someone will notice my newly revealed grey hairs. My mother will say,‘R - O - B!!! Look at all those grey hairs!’ My wife will say, ‘Are you ever getting old! ’ She speaks the language of the streets, yet has the theoretical continued on page 5.... 4 - - �Health Promotion HEPATITIS C by Daryle Dollan, Support Worker/Health Promoter With the changing face of AIDS in our community, we are seeing more and more men and women becoming infected through sharing needles while using intravenous drugs. In many of these cases, it is common to find HIV in conjunction with Hepatitis B (HBV) and/or Hepatitis C (HCV). Those of you who know me, are aware that I have a personal interest in this area. As a former intravenous drug user myself, I contracted Hepatitis B in the early 1970's, and apparently I also contracted Hepatitis C around the same time period (it was known as non-A, non-B hepatitis back then). So I have a vested interest in the treatment options (or lack of them) for Hepatitis C. First of all, HCV is a virus that infects the liver and causes hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver. This leads to varying degrees of liver damage, including an increased risk of cancer of the liver. It is estimated that 2% of the world's population is infected with Hepatitis C. The infection rate in specific groups is much higher. For example: - Among intravenous drug users, the infection rate is 16% - Within the population ofpeople with hemophilia, the rate of infection is 70% - Among those who have received blood transfusions, the rate is 31 cases per 1000 transfusions prior to 1985, and 12 per 1000 in 1990. The most common method of transmission is through sharing unclean needles. Hepatitis C can be spread through unprotected sex, although this is a less common method of transmission. A simple blood test will be able to detect the presence of antibodies to Hepatitis C in your blood. It is a good idea to be tested twice to confirm diagnosis. A specialist can then monitor your liver function over time, and may recommend a liver biopsy to assess the amount of damage that may have occurred. This is a relatively simple procedure that is done in day surgery. It is not recommended for people with hemophilia because of the risk of internal bleeding. After the initial infection (called "acute" hepatitis, despite the fact that there isn't anything cute about it), one of two things can happen. Either the virus can no longer be detected, or the infection becomes chronic. With chronic hepatitis C, some people (about 20%) will develop cirrhosis. Basically, this is liver damage that is irreversible, and can lead to liver failure and/or cancer of the liver. You may have Hepatitis C without being aware of it because some people don't have any symptoms, while others may have symptoms such as fatigue, muscle aches and pains, etc. I was not aware of my Hepatitis C status for seventeen years! The easiest way to be sure is to get a Hepatitis C antibody test. �TREATMENT OPTIONS The most common treatment of Hepatitis C is with alpha interferon. Interferon is a hormone that your body produces naturally to combat viruses. It has been reproduced and can be injected to increase the level of interferon in your system. There are varying degrees of success with alpha interferon treatment. Approximately 50% of those treated with interferon respond to treatment. It is a VERY expensive treatment and is normally not covered by a drug plan, so you will have to check on your medical coverage. Other treatments that are being tested are Ribavirin (in combination with interferon), N-Acetyl Cysteine or NAC, which is believed to enhance the effectiveness of interferon, and Beta-interferon. HEPATITIS C AND HIV CO-INEECTION As mentioned earlier, it is common to find Hepatitis C in people that contracted HIV through sharing unclean needles. HIV and HCV co-infection increases the risk of serious liver disease. Hepatitis C can be more severe and difficult to treat in people with HIV. Many of the drugs used to treat HIV can be toxic to the liver. As well, those that are co- infected with HIV and 11CV have a lower response to treatment with interferon, and interferon can lower the white blood cell count resulting in bacterial infections in HIV positive individuals. TAKING CARE OF YOVRSELF The best thing you can do for yourself if you are HCV positive, or HIV and HCV positive, is to make some lifestyle changes: * Eat a healthy, balanced diet. * DO NOT DRINK OR AT THE VER Y LEAST, DRINK MODERA TEL Y! Alcohol abuse will increase your chances of developing cirrhosis and/or cancer ofthe liver. * Avoiding drugs and smoking is also recommended, but again, moderation is an option ifyou absolutely cannot (or WILL NOT) quit. * Get lots ofrest, reduce your stress level and exercise regularly. If you have any questions about HCV please talk to your doctor. You can also call Daryle at the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay, or contact the Canadian Liver Foundation at 1-800-563-5483 or the Canadian Hemophilia Society at 1-800-668-2686. I would like to give credit to the Canadian Hemophilia Society for many of the facts and statistics used in this article. They have published an extremely informative and valuable booklet entitled "HEPA 77775 C - AN INFORMA TION BOOKLET FOR PEOPLE INFECTED WITH THE HEPA TITIS C VIRUS, AND THEIR FAMILIES." (April 1995) �DARING TO HOPE... What scares me about “NEW HOPE” is that I may have been able to have all my dreams redefined once, but don’t for a minute assume I can survive it again or even want to try. .... continuedfrom page 4 Of course, they don’t know how much I enjoy hearing this. I like my grey hairs! For me, it’s a sign of aging, of perhaps — hope! The mention of a new drug is scary to me. Scary because I know that tenuous hope can hurt me. Hope may very well not be something that we have control over. Whether or not we choose to commit EMOTIONALLY to that hope is the question. How much should I invest in HOPE? HOPE A huge word, a difficult word. Several months ago, sitting at my computer watching the live broadcasts of the XI International Conference on AIDS from Vancouver (which carried the theme One World, One Hope), I began to get a very unexpected feeling. And it was not a very pleasant feeling. It should have been but it was NOT. My message in all this? Be cautious in what you say or offer people that are either infected or affected. Even offering HOPE may be experienced differently than you expect. If you ask my wife about my new glasses, be prepared that this may remind her that time is going by and will sadden her. If you tell my mother that my grey hair makes me look older, don’t be surprised if she smiles at the prospect of her son aging. For the very first time, I was feeling HOPE around the prospects of eradicating HIV from the body using a new class of pharmaceuticals called Protease Inhibitors in combination with other drugs. This HOPE was hard to digest, integrate or even feel comfortable with. Don’t tell me about a new treatment that offers HOPE, unless you plan to be there with me if it should fail. Just over four years ago, I sat in a doctor’s office and had my hope for a future taken away. This was no small thing. I lost the vision and hope for many things. The expectation of seeing my young daughter’s wedding day; the hope of a long life; seeing the world; loving again; being loved; being held without fear; holding without fear. Yes, I lost a whole lot of things. THE CHALLENGES My thoughts on how new treatments may have an impact on the way we look at AIDS care and support. Of course I replaced those “hopes” with new ones. Shorter ones. A different hope. So when I feel NEW HOPE, it threatens to give all that back to me and once again turn my life upside down. A scary thought. Our model for care has been built, designed and reinforced by “helping people to die.” Even the most sceptical of minds cannot dismiss the possibility of a longer, healthier life for people with HIV infection in these times of Protease Inhibitors and “The Cocktail.” In the face of such substantial change in the management of HIV/AIDS, service providers such as ACT-B must examine these new times in order to respond appropriately. The HIV+ community has been given hope before. We have history in this area and we have learned from that. Failed drugs such as AZT, the tat gene inhibitors and others have, for a brief time, given us hope. This examination will change over time. As our service users live longer and healthier lives we must continue to consult them directly. Only THEY can help us understand their changing needs. Emotionally, I cannot afford the luxury of HOPE for the risk it carries is too great. continued on page 7 ... I lost hope!! 5 - - �Healing Our NMiovts November 9-13 Ha) ifax, Nova ScotiA The 4th Annual Canadian Aboriginal Conference on HIV/AIDS and related issues was held in Halifax, Nova Scotia from November 9-13. The Theme of the gathering was “Healing our Nations. ” Approximately 300 people from across Canada and the United States attended to discuss ways of combatting HIV/A IDS. Two members ofACT-B attended the conference and present their reports... Sandy Johnston, Proud mom & supporter Brenda J. LeSage The reason I wanted to attend this conference was to support my son who is HIV-positive and to support others who may be affected. I find that there is so much support needed in the aboriginal community, not only from our nation, but from our immediate families. I believe that with this unconditional love behind them, our children can stay healthy longer. My son is a perfect example of this. I was lucky to be chosen to attend this wonderful gathering of all peoples across this nation who are concerned about HIV/AIDS. This conference was one of the most exhilarating and emotional events that I have been to. We must open our hearts, minds and eyes. Only then will some of the beliefs be cast aside and we can truly be one nation. I am pretty sure that was the Creator’s plan in the first place. The elders taught us to be proud of ourselves and this illness; to use it to our best advantage. I learned to forgive myself as well as others. I learned that I had to take a good hard look at myself whether I want to or not! I also found out how important it is to teach our children and grandchildren about HIV/AIDS. Kevin Barlow, who put it all together, was a powerful speaker. All the presenters and keynote speakers were terrific! Such courage for these people to share their From the conference I heard the horror stories of stories with us. people being turned away and families shunned because of the virus. All the workshops I attended were excellent and very informative. They included: HIV & TB - Dual We can no longer lie to ourselves or hide for Infection Issues; Healing through Humour; Grief and HIV/AIDS is infecting or affecting our nation greatly. Multiple Loss; “Legend of Pagosi” Micmac Medicines, What I learned from the conference was not only how Traditional Usages and Gathering Methods; and to take away some of my fears but to overcome the Extremist Attitudes: Maintaining Balance in fear of the virus in other people. Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Service Delivery. I was overwhelmed at the close knit group of people. We all stand out in our own special way in contributing to this dilemma. I knew when I left Halifax that I must try to do my part. I have since run for the Board of Directors at ACT-B and was elected! I am anxious to share my experience with others at the ACT-B. Meegwetch 6 - �The Holiday Season is a time for reflection. A time to review the year and take stock of all the good things that have happened. Many people have helped us in our work at the AIDS Committee during 1996 and we would like to take this opportunity to say “thankyou” to: * Vicki Suttie for making the silent auction at our Annual General Meeting such a success; raising over $500 for the Emergency Financial Assistance Program. * Employees of Pizza Hut who donated $80 from their tips to Mother’s Cupboard. * Members of the fundraising committee for their ideas and support and a special thanks to all those dedicated volunteers who assisted with fundraising events. * Ray Laird and Ryan Bureyko for coordinating benefit socials during the year. * Jennifer Peter for her diligent work on the Social Marketing Campaign during her placement with ACT-B. * “Broadway Bound” for hosting a first rate benefit concert in support of the AIDS Committee and the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra. They donated $700 to each organization. * Our tireless primary care physicians who support our PHA’s to the best of their knowledge, skills and abilities. * Pius White for his public leadership at our AIDS Walk, mail solicitations and support letters for various fundraising proposals. * The AIDS Awareness Week Steering Committee members and a special thank you to Carri Whidden for her work coordinating the week’s events.* * Karen Ferland for coordinating our 5th Annual Regional “Opening More Doors” conference. Canadian Airlines for their sponsorship of the AIDS Walk. And a big thanks to the planning committee! * The Senator Norman Paterson Foundation for contributing to our “Vehicle Fund.” * William Roberts and all the performers in the Healthy Sex Cabaret for bringing humour to this issue. * Mike’s Mart store on Red River Road for their sales of Nevada Tickets. DARING TO HOPE continued from page 5 .. . * Sandy Johnston for cleaning our refrigerator! Huge Job! Big Thanks! * Anne Ciemny for coordinating the “Cheese Cake Challenge” and Mr. Sub for donating the use of their cooler. * The AIDS Walk is one of ACT-B’s largest events. Thanks go to: The Outpost at Lakehead University for hosting the event. Norma Jean Newbold from Lakehead University Residence for her recruitment of students to support the walk. MDS Laboratories, Janzens Pharmacy, Domino’s Pizza, North Algoma Confectionary, Glaxo Wellcome, Lakehead Travel Agency and Although estate planning will remain an important part of the assistance to people infected with HIV, we may now want to offer PHA’s educational goals. This gives them an opportunity to live productive lives in the context of their limitations. Regardless of the improvements in HIV/AIDS care, there will undoubtedly be many that continue to die, get sick and require the support of agencies like ours. How do we respond to the person newly diagnosed with HIV? Surely not the same way we did 2 - 4 years ago. There is no hope of getting back those that we have lost or cure the pain that has been experienced by so many. But I do have HOPE. A different HOPE! MY HOPE!” �V*rtin$ GIaucc J| ACT-B Abvisorvf Council Director, Regional Public Health Laboratory Ogden East End Health Centre Mary Lee Barry Douglas Cave Addiction Research Foundation Richard DeVuono Co-Chair Gail Linklater Co-Chair Dr. Gordon Milne Family Physician Murray Nielsen Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre Diana Smith Public Health Nurse, Thunder Bay District Health Unit Nicky Tittley Safety Coordinator, Thunder Bay Regional Hospital Rev. Don Uhryniw Current River United Church, Council of Clergy Pius White Community Consultant The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay acknowledges and thanks our various funders: > > Fred Ball Ontario Ministry of Health - AIDS Bureau Health Promotion and Programs Branch, Ontario Region, Health Canada > Thunder Bay WINS! > All of the people involved in general fund raising and the support of many local businesses and individuals. The opinions and medical information offered by “rcACT-Belicvc” are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the staff and Board of Directors of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay. Medical information offered should be used at your own discretion. Please consult your doctor. ACT-B Bo^rb of Directors Rick Atkinson Joyce Barnes James Budd Deborah Emery Carmen Klassen Steacie LaChance Brenda LeSage Rob MacKay Bruno Valente Noel Ward Darryl Williams, President Pius White Please address any comments or concerns to rcACT-Belicve P.O. Box 24025 Downtown North Postal Outlet Thunder Bay ON P7A 8A9 (807)345-1516 ACT-B St^ff Substance Use Outreach Project Coordinator Christa Alsch Secretary Education Coordinator David Belrose Support Services Coordinator Sheila Berry John Books Fund Raising Coordinator Interim Support Worker/Health Daryle Dollan Promoter Jo-Ann Jacomb Volunteer Coordinator Lawrence Korhonen Administration Coordinator Clifford Ray Futures Program Executive Director Michael Sobota Janet Adams Vcsl 1 wAtit to support ACT-B this holfc>A\j season* 1 know thM m\\ contribution will realty covmt! Here is mvj bonMion of $ ....... - . Name: Address: rcACT-Bclicvc Contributors Jo-Ann Jacomb Editor Richard Boon Design and Layout ACT-B staff, volunteers & members City, Province & P.C: Telephone: 8 - - � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource David Belrose fonds Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource reACT-Believe Vol 9 Issue 4 - Winter 1996 Subject The topic of the resource Organizations Health and Medicine Description An account of the resource Newsletter of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1996 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/17/2689/1998_reACT-Believe_vol10no3_2.pdf 157627a460056786d1a71faa0c6ad31f PDF Text Text rcACT-Believc The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Winter, 1998 Volume 10, Issue 3 HolibAV^/Wmter 1 ssuc Cooperation is the Key In 1985, a young man died in a local hospital of complications due to Acquired Immuno-deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Fear was at the forefront. That same hospital was the first in Thunder Bay to develop training and education for staff in readiness for other people living with the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) and AIDS. A dozen years later, we look at how our community is responding to HIV and AIDS. First, there was a handful of volunteers whose vision and efforts provided the impetus for developing a community awareness and support for people living with this new virus, hence, the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay (ACTB). Fear and stigmatization of HIV and AIDS has been a constant reminder that as a community we have not yet arrived. However, we continue to make strides towards acceptance of HIV and AIDS as a fact of life. We have many things to celebrate. Hundreds of volunteers over the years giving selflessly, hope with new treatments (for those who can tolerate the drugs and the strict regime required), a new HIV clinic at St. Joseph’s Hospital, a hospice unit, annual HIV regional counselling conferences and aboriginal HIV/AIDS conferences, People Living With HIV/AIDS (PHAs) speaking to individuals and groups, peer support, needle exchange, outreach programs targeted to high risk behaviours, support groups for HIV positive people, family, friends and partners, improved access to information about medical alternative care, a regional 1-800 line, addiction programs beginning to incorporate HIV/AIDS education into treatment programs, and much more. I have also noticed a greater effort of agencies partnering with the AIDS Committee to address the growing HIV infection rate in the region. This cooperative effort will enhance programs and allow for more choices for people living with HIV/AIDS, as well as break down attitudinal barriers which still exist. If this year’s AIDS Pledge Walk is any indication of our community’s response to HIV/AIDS, hope reigns triumphant that we will be able to overcome our fears around HIV/AIDS rather than be consumed by it. We are, after all, all affected. Sheila Berry, Coordinator ofSupport Services Under Our Cover ... Volunteers - they’re truly V.I.P.s Fundraising News ACT-B Resource Library Library/”Dear Robbie” “Let’s be Social” Here and There Parting Glance 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Season’s Greetings, and may the joy and peace of the holiday season be yours now and in the new year. "Happy holidays. Happy holidays..." �ooocooooo o o o o a o o c o o o o o o o o « c c fVolvmteers - Thevf’re trwlvj VJJ\s <-> Q bvj Selty PAjamaki - Volunteer CoorfcinMor o o o o o o o o ooooo 0000 It is just over one month since I became the new Volunteer Coordinator at the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay. In that short time period, I have quickly come to realize just how needed volunteers are - without them I would not be able to do my job! They are involved in everything we do at ACT-B, and are very important people (V.I.P.s). And, they are also friendly, helpful and sociable. I feel that I have greatly expanded my circle of friends (and I hope that many of you are beginning to think of me as a new friend, too). 00000 o o o o VOLUNTEER NEEDED Through the wonderful efforts of the many volunteers (over 150) at ACT-B, we have been able to accomplish a lot in the last few weeks. There have been two bingos since I started here, as well as our first Tag Day (a very satisfying achievement, even though there were a few mistakes and problems), two “popcans for charity” pickup runs, a Halloween Social and the AGM (annual general meeting). Volunteers were very much a big part of all these events and made them all successful. ACT-B has been blessed with the number and quality of volunteers who seek us out. Many of them have been helping out for several years and are seen around the office so much that newcomers mistake them for regular staff. They come from all walks of life - work-at-home mothers, students, business people, university professors, bus drivers, people from many other professions, retired people, and people not working just now. And, they range in age from 8 to over 80. They are all kind, compassionate and concerned people who enjoy doing what they can to help others. I have met many of the volunteers so far - in person or over the phone, and 1 am looking forward to meeting more of you over the next few months. 1 really appreciate the help that you, the volunteers, have given me in settling into my new position here at ACT-B. You have helped me learn “how things are done” and made me feel comfortable and welcome at the same time. Mother’s Cupboard desperately needs an energetic volunteer willing to commit to 15 hours per month. Duties would include shopping for the Cupboard, soliciting donations, ensuring the Cupboard is kept stocked, coordinating quarterly Mother’s Cupboard Committee meetings, and preparing reports for the Board. If you are interested in taking on this challenging position, please call Daryle or Selly at 3451516. Interested in Volunteering? We’re always looking for volunteers here at the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay. If you are interested in helping out, please give us a call or stop by the office. Some of the areas where you could be of service are: - clerical: typing, phoning, photocopying, filing, faxing, answering phones, computer input, collating materials - fundraising: bingo, baking, yard sales, ticket sales, tag day, crafts, gay socials, casinos, pancake breakfast, coin box collection, safer sex cabaret - education: public speaking, display booth, condom blitzes, telephone survey, pamphlet/poster distribution - support services: peer counselling, nursing care, yard work, reading, transportation, meal preparation, being a buddy, shopping, telephone support, massage, exercise, personal grooming, bill paying - other: committee work, billeting, office errands, van cleaning. Mother’s Cupboard servicebilinguedisponible ALL CALLS CONFIDENTIAL Monday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Tuesday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Eastern Time) Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) The The staff at ACT-B have also been very welcoming and helpful, answering my many questions, showing me where to find things and explaining procedures. I would like to express my appreciation and thank you all - this is the first position I’ve had where I have felt “at home” so quickly. Network 1-800-263-1638 HIV/AIDS Treatment Information email: info@catie.ca Thank you and happy holidays, Selly 00 catie internet: www.catie.ca Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange Reseau communautaire d'info-traitements sida -2- �Fvmbraism5 Mews bvj JoVih Boolcs - FvmfcrAismg Coordinator c n c M “Very Interesting!” - Artie Johnson A c i t i V ! t i c i ATTENTION CHRISTMAS SHOPPERS *AIDS Walk 97 was a tremendous success. Over 500 people participated in the Walk and the donations gathered totaled $24,000...a huge increase from the previous year. To all who helped in any way, please accept the sincere gratitude of the Board and staff of the AIDS Committee. Those funds will make a difference in the fight against AIDS in our community. Planning for AIDS Walk 98 will begin soon. If you are interested in serving on that committee, please let us know. *A few weeks ago, we organized our first Tag Day, which brought in $1,400. Though it did not go as smoothly as we would have liked, such a campaign has a lot of potential. Next year’s campaign will do better. *You don’t have to bring in the new year watching TV. Call 345-1516 for information about a New Year’s Eve Social. The dinner and dance is a joint project of the AIDS Committee and the Out & About Organization. Tickets are $25.00 regular or $20.00 for members of either group, dance only is $15.00. Ukrainian Hall, DJ, dinner provided by Tid Bit Catering, complementary glass of champagne. *The Fundraising Committee is researching some new events. Once the planning is completed, we will let you know the details, hopefully in a month or two. *What is the theme of the Cabaret? Does anyone know? Stay tuned for words. ‘Werrrrrrrrrrrrry interesting.....but crazy.” -3 If you like to give people calendars as Christmas gifts and would like to help support ACT-B, then check out the Finnish Book Store. The owners, Richard and Marlene, have brought in a 1998 commemorative calendar of the late Princess Diana and are generously donating all of the proceeds from the sale of this calendar to ACT-B. Many will recall the ground-breaking work that Diana did to help advance the AIDS movement. The Finnish Book Store has supported ACT-B in the past, assisting in credit card sales at our major events. Thank you Richard and Marlene. We specialize in Unique European & Canadian Gift Ideas 168 S. Algoma Street Thunder Bay, Ont. P7B 3B9 Tel. (807) 345-7179 Fax (807) 343-9112 1-800-582-6849 RICHARD KOSKINIEMI 1997 ACT-B Annual General Meeting The 1997 Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place on November 20 at the Lakehead Unitarian Hall. Reports were given and the 1997-98 Board of Directors was elected. Continuing on the Board for another year are: Rick Atkinson, Deborah Emery, Brenda LeSage, Rob MacKay, Bruno Valente, Pius White and Darryl Williams. Elected to join them for 2 year terms are: James Budd, Shannon Lang Bush, Dawn Kannegiesser, Carmen Klassen and Don Young. New Board members officially begin their term at the first meeting of the board following the AGM, on December 17. A panel of speakers shared their experience of what it is like to live with HIV today and how it is different from when they first discovered HIV in their lives. �ACT-B Resource Library bij David Belrose - Education Coordinator Are you looking for information about HIV/AIDS or related issues? Are you, a family member, or a friend living with HIV? Are you a health care or social service worker in need of information? Are you a teacher looking for up-to-date resources? Are you a student who needs research information for a project? Are you someone interested in learning more about this epidemic? The ACT-B Resource Library may be just what you need. Our collection of print and other material has been building since the late 1980s, and includes current information on a broad range of issues related to HIV/AIDS. We have material that runs the gamut from basic AIDS 101 to leading edge research on treatment options. Some of the subject areas that you will find include: Aboriginal issues Caregiving Chemical dependency Children Clinical Trials Clinical management Counselling Death/dying Discrimination Education Epidemiology Etiology (causation) Family Fiction Grief/bereavement Health promotion Health management Home care Homophobia Human rights Immune system Infection control Injection drug use Legal issues -4- Living with HIV/AIDS Men Mental Health Nutrition Opportunistic infections Palliative care Political issues Prisons Research Safer sex Self help Sex trade Sexual orientation issues STDs Social issues Social work Spiritual issues Testing, HIV and other Therapies, complementary Treatment Women Workplace Youth We encourage everyone to make use of this valuable resource. Our staff will be glad to help direct you to the catalogue, or help you find the materials you need. We have brochures and some posters that are free for the taking. Most of our collection of print and electronic material is available for loan, although some items are for reference use only. Our information files, including treatment information, can be used in the library. Photocopies are available at ten cents a page. The library is available during regular office hours, Monday to Friday, 9:30 to 5:00 p.m. �Gi^rbi^ CrvjptosporiMum Daryle Cano ACT-B Support Worker/Health Promoter Residents on the south side of the city are under a boilwater advisory because giardia and Cryptosporidium have been discovered in the water supply. The water originates from Loch Lomond, a lake located on Mount MacKay. GIARDIA (also known as “beaver fever”) This is a microscopic parasite that can infect warm­ blooded animals and humans. This parasite can cause an intestinal illness called giardiasis. Symptoms of giardiasis can be nausea, anorexia, fever and severe diarrhea. CRYPTOSPORIDIUM This is also a microscopic parasite that can infect animals and humans. This parasite can cause an intestinal illness called cryptosporidiosis. Symptoms of cryptosporidiosis can be severe diarrhea, cramping abdominal pain, occasional fever, nausea and vomiting. Cryptosporidiosis is a highly infectious disease that can be spread through routine contact and through unsafe sexual practices, mostly involving some kind of contact with the feces (shit) of an infected person or animal. This can include handling dirty laundry, having sexual contact with the rectal area, or people with contaminated hands preparing food or touching the hands of another person. The impact of both giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis is directly dependent on the immune status of the person infected. In the case of people with compromised immune systems (such as people with AIDS), cryptosporidiosis can be fatal. In order to avoid the possibility of becoming infected with giardiasis or cryptosporidiosis, you must avoid ingesting contaminated water. Do not drink, wash your food, or brush your teeth with tap water. The water you use for these purposes must either be boiled, obtained from the north side of the city, or filtered through an “absolute 1-micron filter.” Filtering systems that remove lead and chlorine have absolutely no effect on these parasites. If you have a compromised immune system and are unable to get out to get your own water, you can call the Red Cross. They will ask you a few questions to determine your level of risk, then will deliver water to you. They can be reached at 6233073. Giardiasis can be treated with Flagyl, but many people with liver damage are not able to use this treatment. Cryptosporidiosis can be treated with Paromomycin and Azithromycin, but there are no medications that have been shown to cure cryptosporidial infection. As with other diseases, prevention is your best option. If you have any further questions, please feel free to call Daryle at 345-1516. REMEMBER Do not drink, wash your food or brush your teeth with tap water! DON’T FORGET Boil tap water before using it for anything! �| SIGNIFICANT DONORS %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% The AIDS Committee is grateful to all the many hundreds of people who support it. In particular, we thank the following for: Gifts of $100 to $249 ♦V.B. Cook Employee’s Social & Charitable Donations Committee * Secondary School Teachers Charity Fund * Current River United Church *MDS Laboratories * Broadway Bound (Jo-Ann Jacomb, Marcella Smithers & Glen Pattterson) *EZ Vending ♦Anne Ciemny * Marge Cross ♦Sonya Matijek ♦Gerd Schroeter * Eugene Belisle ♦Edson Setliff *Dr. G. Davis *Rudy & Joyce Mauro ♦Dr. D. Ek *Ed Prinselaar * Sally Colquhoun ♦Mrs. Pat Briden *Yves Fricot * David Lawrence ♦Marjorie Wallington Gifts of $250 to $499 * Civic Employees Charity Committee * Keating Insulation ♦Non-Teaching Charity Fund (Board of Education) Gifts of $500 to $999 ♦Glaxco Wellcome with BioChem Pharma ♦Pop Cans for Charity * The Royal Bank ♦The Patrons of Robin’s Donuts ♦Robert Shepherd Gifts of $1,000 to $4,999 *Avenor Woodlands Northwest *Thunder Bay Foundation ♦The Senator Norman Paterson Foundation ♦The United Appeal (New Initiatives Program) * Bombardier Employees’ 4C’s Fund ♦ECHO Club LUSU ♦Anonymous Gifts of $5,000 and over ♦The Life and Health Insurance Companies in Canada Significant In Kind Donations over $1,000 ♦The Outpost ♦Chronicle Journal ♦Thunder Bay Television As part of your Holiday giving this year, make a note to yourself to remember the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay. Our Fund Raising Goal is $84,000. We have had a successful fall, thanks to the AIDS Walk in September and the Tag Day in November, but we need more to reach our goal. Any amount that you can share with us will be truly appreciated. Fill out the form below and drop it off at our office. Thank you again for your support. I want to make a Holiday Gift to the AIDS Committee. Here is my donation of $10______ , $20______ , $50_____ any amount $ Name:______ Address: City/Prov/P.C. �Resource Library continued... NEW VIDEO Weighing the risk: A Canadian video about women and HIV/AIDS The Physician Education Project on Women & HIV/AIDS The Battle Within: Current concepts in the pathogenesis of HIV infection Staying Ahead: A guide to the prevention of opportunistic infections Recognizing CMV Retinitis: Early screening and warning signs The following is a sample of some of our recent materials. NEW PRINT MATERIAL The Johns Hopkins Hospital 1997 Guide to Medical Care of Patients with HIV Infection AIDS In The World II At Home On The Stroll HIV/AIDS In Prison: Discussion Paper and Final Report Legal and Ethical Issues Raised By HIV/AIDS Healing Our Nations Aboriginal Communities and HIV/AIDS Women and HIV Projects and Committees Inventory Gay/Lesbian Legal Issues and HIV/AIDS Dual Identities: Counselling chemically dependent gay men and lesbians How To Take Care of You...so you can take care of others Pride and Prejudice: Working with lesbian, gay and bisexual youth Dancing with Mister D: notes on life and death AIDS Medical Glossary (GMHC) COMPUTER SOFTWARE Protect Your Family - Interactive Multimedia CD-ROM 1995 (requires 486, 8MB) Discovery - An interactive investigation of HIV/AIDS CD-ROM 1996 Turning The Tide Against HIV - Recent advances in combination retroviral therapy from the XI International Conference on AIDS July 1996 Interactive CD-ROM Abstracts XI International Conference on AIDS July 1996 CD-ROM or disks Abstracts 4th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections January, 1997 (Disk) Abstracts Sixth Annual Canadian Conference on HIV/AIDS Research May, 1997 (Disk) “dear robbie ” is on holidays at the present time, but please keep sending in your questions and concerns and he will be back for the next newsletter. He will attempt to answer all those hard to ask questions in a fun and informative way. Send your education ideas for “dear robbie ” to reACT-Believe. The address is on page eight. 5- �Let’s be Socia1...anb spent) New Year s Eve Together "Rehearsal Party 200(5" CrtiSYaa Q/eawb 'Q'te (j&meflt 2/)wmew (Sf d^cc/a/ co-presented by the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay and Out & About Wednesday, December 31st 1997 Ukrainian Labour Temple 203 Ogden St., Thunder Bay. Symposium: 6 pm Dinner: 7 pm Social: 9 pm (dinner by Tidbit Catering) dj music, cash bar; champagne at midnight & cold buffet, partyfavours, 50/50 draw and door prize Tickets: $20.00 (per person) for members of ACTB or Out & About $25.00 (per person) for non members $15.00 at the door for social only Tickets are available from the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay (345-1516) and from Out & About (623-3141) Poster by Brian Holden Designs Dress casual/smart �Here a«t> There . . . _ ==■ — MAY I HA VE YOUR A TTENTION, PLEASE? Do you have time on your hands? Are you lookingfor something to do? Are you a Bingo fan? There’s a place for you at your local AIDS Committee! We are always lookingfor volunteers to help with our once a month bingos. Give us a call and we ’ll put you down for the fourth Tuesday of the month - any month or every month, whenever you're available. We need your active support. And, ifyou have any friends you d like to bring along, our philosophy is “The more, the merrier! ” So...run right down and sign up now. --------- —I WORRIED? Get An ANONYMOUS TEST. Been worried about getting the test? Concerned about past behaviour, but scared to bring it up with your doctor, your partner, your family, with anybody? Want to know your own status but don’t want everybody else to know? Been using lately and not always sure your works are clean? Don’t want people to know you’re gay - or don’t want people to think you are if you’re not? Maintaining your privacy is the most important thing? And you genuinely believe you’ve risked exposure to HIV and want to get tested... Call 625-5981 That’s all you have to do. You can get the HIV antibody test anonymously. One phone call will get you an appointment through the anonymous testing service. You don’t have to give your name or address or any identifying information. You don’t need an OHIP card. The receptionist will ask for a first name (any first name) to book the appointment. Nothing will be reported, whatever your test results are. Except to you. So, if you’ve been worried and thinking about testing, now is as good a time as ever to take that step. When you call 6255981, they should also tell you where you can get tested. There are a couple of different locations around the city where you can get the anonymous test. Just ask, and pick the location you are most comfortable with. Knowing your health status can relieve concerns, whatever the result is. And whatever the result is, know that we’re here at the AIDS Committee to give you information and support. You are not alone. Substance Use Outreach Project Update by Janet Adams - Substance Use Outreach Project The Substance Use Outreach Project (SUOP) has been operating for a year now. So far the project has been a runaway success. There are three components to the project: the peer ambassador project, the ad campaign and the “Bar Night’' project. Over the year, seven peers have been out in the community, providing one-to-one safer sex/safer using education & support, information, condoms, and referrals to local agencies. All peers report that the response to the project has been good and that people like and feel comfortable with the “peer” approach to prevention. Ads have been running on the city buses. Four ads were produced and each one runs for four months. The ads target the link between substance use and sex. If you are in Thunder Bay, look for our ads the next time you take the bus (at the back above the exit door) and let us know what you think. Eight info cards and three match books were produced. These have been well received by clients and workers from other AIDS committees, needle exchange programs and substance use programs around the province. The “Bar Nights” have also been a success. Bar patrons enjoy the play and, for the most part, are willing to fill out a short survey following the play. Bar patrons and staff really like the “grab bags” we produced as well. We have been asked to present the play as part of several educational workshops over the year. We will be doing a few more “Bar Nights”, so be on the lookout for posters advertising our next event. -7- �Verting GIaucc Thank-You Volunteers & Coordinators AIDS Awareness Week was from September 27th to October 4th this year. We would like to extend our thanks to all who helped coordinate the various events. Special thanks go to the people behind the counselling conference “Opening More Doors.” We would also like to thank all the volunteers who helped to make the AIDS Walk such a success, and particularly the walkers, who brought in approximately $24,000 in pledges. ACT-B held its first Tag Day on Saturday, November 15th. Our thanks go out to those hardy volunteers who willingly stood for two hours out in the cold that day and raised approximately $1,400. Volunteers were also a great help at the Annual General Meeting on November 20th. Thanks go to those who provided tasty goodies for our refreshment break, as well as to those who helped at the door and with the Silent Auction. Thank you again, volunteers you deserve to toot your own horn! ACT-B Advisory Council Fred Ball Mary Lee Barry Douglas Cave Richard Atkinson Gail Linklater Dr. Gordon Milne Carmen Blais Diana Smith Nicky Tittley Rev. Don Uhryniw Pius White Director, Regional Public Health Laboratory Ogden East End CHC Addiction Research Foundation Co-Chair Crossroads Centre Family Physician Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre Public Health Nurse, Thunder Bay District Health Unit Safety Coordinator, Thunder Bay Regional Hospital Current River United Church, Council of Clergy Co-Chair ACT-B BoArfc of Directors Rick Atkinson Shannon Lang Bush Dawn Kannegiesser Brenda LeSage Bruno Valente Darryl Williams, Pres. James Budd Deborah Emery Carmen Klassen Rob MacKay Pius White Don Young ACT-B Staff The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay acknowledges and thanks our various funders: > Ontario Ministry of Health - AIDS Bureau > Health Promotion and Programs Branch, Ontario Region, Health Canada (ACAP) > All of the people involved in general fundraising and the support of many local businesses and individuals. Janet Adams Christa Alsch David Belrose Sheila Berry John Books Daryle Cano Erik Collings Lawrence Korhonen Selly Pajamaki Michael Sobota rcACT-Believc Contributors Selly Pajamaki Editor ACT-B staff & volunteers The opinions and medical information offered by TeACTBelievc” are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the staff and Board of Directors of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay. Medical information offered should be used at your own discretion. Please consult your doctor. Substance Use Outreach Project Secretary Education Coordinator Support Services Coordinator Fund Raising Coordinator Support Worker/Health Promoter Placement Student Administration Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator Executive Director Yesl / want to become a member of ACT-B! / know that mtj contribution wilJ realty count! Here is my donation of $10.00__, $20.00___ or Sfo.oo__ . I [Name: Please address any comments or concerns to Address: rcACT-Believc P.O. Box 24025 RPO Downtown North Thunder Bay ON P7A 8A9 (807) 345-1516 City, Province & P.C: Telephone: -8- � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource David Belrose fonds Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource reACT-Believe Volume 10 Issue 3 - Winter 1998 Subject The topic of the resource Organizations Health and Medicine Description An account of the resource Newsletter of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1998 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English