219 10 13079 https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/17/2694/1999_reACT-Believe_vol12no2_2.pdf 1c84eadc21229ea2516df34707b0ed75 PDF Text Text reACT-Believe The AIDS (ommillce of Thunder lJ;i\ Summer 1999 Volume 12. Issue 2 ADDS WALK JS$ue AIDS WALK makes great strides in rural areas The Executive Director’s Desk As I write, the seventy-seventh day in this position of Executive Director is fast approaching. Before we know it winter will once again be upon us. I am buoyed by the fact that one thing that remains the same is our seasons in Northwestern Ontario. At the agency things have not remained the same. As most people know, the changes in personnel in the office have been dramatic for our organization. Summertime brought with it summer projects and student contract staff. The agency has been at capacity, full, noisy, boisterous, and busy. I thank all the staff, volunteers and board members that have been supportive during these changes that we have experienced in the last couple of months. Know that in the coming months the agency will be looking closely at how we look in our community. At a board/staff retreat held last May, a priority to address was how our agency is perceived and how we present ourselves in the community, Does our image reflect our current activities? Do we need a new look? We may be inviting members and people in the community to assist us in this process. We plan to report on our work at the Annual General Meeting in November. Fall will be our busiest time of year. We have many events and activities taking place. I encourage you to participate; come WALK with us, confer at our annual counseling conference, meet at our Annual General Meeting, remember those we love and have lost. OTTAWA - The 1999 AIDS Walk Canada campaign was launched August 13, 1999 with an unprecedented growth in participation among areas that face a short­ age of HIV/AIDS services. Over 30 new communities are joining in the nation’s largest AIDS fundraising and awareness event on Sunday, September 26, 1999, bringing the total number of sites across the country to 110. Although almost every major urban centre in Can­ ada is hosting an AIDS Walk this year, 80% of the walk sites are smaller cities and rural areas. Of the 36 new sites this year, 31 are smaller communities like First Na­ tions reserves. Infection rates in Canada continue to grow, and as peo­ ple with HIV/AIDS are living longer and treatment op­ tions become more complex, the demands on commu­ nity-based services increase. More and more, AIDS groups are called upon to provide a wide-range of serv­ ices, from treatment information, emergency food vouchers, bus tickets, and help finding safe housing, to buddy programs and transportation to medical appoint­ ments. Since the Walk became a project of the Canadian AIDS Society in 1996, it has raised more than $10 million to support essential local HIV/AIDS care, treatment and support services as well as education and prevention programs. As well as providing much needed funds for these or­ ganizations, by encouraging community involvement, the Walk helps to break down the silence and stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS and fosters the support, compas­ sion and commitment of the community on behalf of people directly affected by the disease. Under Our Cover... Education Update Walkin’ For The Fight Fundraising News Poetry and letters Salute To Volunteers Here and There Parting Glance 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ! �education Update New Program And New Partnership For The Injection Drug Use (IDU) Outreach Program A nev ■ service will be officially launched this fall in the IDU Program. The HITS program (HIV Inter­ ventions Targeting Syringe Users) was developed by the Support Team the AIDS Committee in an effort to distinguish this education component of the work that Janet, the IDU Outreach Worker, has been do­ ing over the past year from her work in the support department. It is also hoped that by giving this work a specific program name, that the HITS program will become a s familiar in the drug use community as the Needle Exchange is. Thanks go out to Lawrence Korhonen for the program name and to Janet Adams for creatively developing a program title based on the acronym. Starting mid-September, Janet will offer education, prevention and support services to injection drug us­ ers on location at the LPH. This plan was developed in partnership with Liz Cawley of the Concurrent Disorders program (CDP) and Dr. Adrian Hynes, the local methadone-prescribing physician. Clients at­ tend regular appointments with Dr. Hynes and part­ nering with the MMT and CDP program seems like a natural way to access this common population. The CDP will provide office space and support for the IDU Outreach Worker while on location and Dr. Hy­ nes will provide some on-site training and support. HIV TRANSMISSION: GUIDELINES FOR ASSESSING RISK A Resource for Educators, Counselors, and Health Care Providers The Canadian AIDS Society has recently (January 1999) released the newest edition of the guidelines for assessing HIV transmission risk. The guidelines are the third edition of the previously titled Safer Sex Guidelines. The previous versions have been translated into 10 languages and been used extensively around the world. The new edition incorporates injection drug use and maternal transmission, recognizing them as major components of HIV transmission in the community. The guidelines cover the risk model, risk assessment, psychosocial aspects, and looks at both barrier methods and biological factors in relation to risk. The complete document is available at the Canadian AIDS Society web site (http://www.cdnaids.ca/l-5e. html). If you would like a workshop about the new guidelines, or just want more information, please give us a call. Gabe Kakeevvay Memorial HIV/AIDS Resource Library In recognition of the accomplishments of Gabe Kakeeway in the field of HIV/AIDS education and prevention, with ACT-B, with Nishnawbe-Aski Nation and as the Treaty Three HIV/AIDS Educator, the A CT-B library was renamed in his honour. In addition, a cedar tree has been dedicated in Gabe's memory in the ACT-B grove in Marina Park (Wilson headland). The library continues to an important source of information related to HIV/AIDS and related issues. New print, video, and other items continue to be added. A TV and VCR are available to preview our video collection. A computer work station is located in the library with access to HIV/AIDS related software, as well as Internet capability. This is available to clients, volunteers and others on request. Come in, check us out, and askfor help if you need to use the workstation. The 2nd Canadian HIV/AIDS Skills Building Symposium The 2nd Canadian HIV/AIDS Skills Building Sympo­ sium: Getting Together, Sharing Together, Learning Together is happening on November 12 to 15, 1999 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Health care professionals, such as doctors, nurses, mental health workers, will join policy advocates, PLWHIV/AIDS, researchers, and staff and volunteers of AIDS Service Organizations to learn new skills, network, analyze and evaluate best practice methods in HIV/AIDS work and share perspectives on current critical issues in HIV/AIDS work. To request registration materials please contact the Events Team at the Canadian AIDS Society, (613) 2303580, ext. 500. -2 - �WaCfyh for ike Ftqkt Register to Walk today! The AIDS Walk is the largest AIDS fundraising event in Thunder Bay. Over the past three years par­ ticipants have raised over $55,000! Pledges collected for the Thunder Bay AIDS Walk remain here to help in the fight against AIDS in our community. On Sunday, September 26, join hundreds of people in AIDS Walk Thunder Bay and be eligible to win prizes and participate in an exciting afternoon. The pledges you collect play an im­ portant part in the education, support and prevention programs in Thunder Bay. “It doesn’t matter if you are male or female, young or old: if you engage in high risk behavior you can become infected. High risk behaviour includes unprotected sex with male or female partners, or sharing needles or syringes, for steroid or injection drug use.” -Don Young, Street Health Worker for Ogden East End Community Health Centre. AIDS is about prevention, support and acceptance. YES I’ll raise money and walk ‘til my shoes fall off to fight AIDS and to support people with HIV/AIDS. Please send my Walker kit right away. Register your way! You and your friends can register in many ways! * Call 345-1516 * Fax this form to 345-2505 * Mail to ACT-B PO Box 24025 , T. Bay, ON P7A 8A9. * Drop by the AIDS Committee at 217 S. Algoma St. THIS YEAR AT THE AIDS WALK! Blast from the past! A new addition to the Walk is a “stuff the Beetle” contest. Teams which collect over $500 in pledges will get a chance to see how many of their team members they can fit into a new Volkswagen Beetle (courtesy of Downtown Volkswagen). For the Walk, there are many prizes and incentive bonuses to be awarded in various categories such as best-dressed team contest, dog with most pledge money, and many, many more. The AIDS Walk Thunder Bay ‘99 is to be the most incredible event of the year! Don’t miss the fun and ex­ citement! The AIDS Committee acknowledges the generous support from many lo­ cal and national businesses. Their support is vital to the success of the Walk. Name: Street Address: City: Apt.: Province: Home Phone: ( ) Work Phone: ( ) Employer/School/Organization: Age: __ under 18 _ 18-25 _ 26-35 _ 36-45 _ 46-55 Postal Code: Fax: ( ) TeamName (if any): Sex: _ M _ F □ I would like 1 2 3 4 5 Pledge forms (circle one). □ I’ll take the lead in forming a team. Please give me a Team Leader’s kit. □ In addition to walking, I can volunteer my time. Please call me. □ This is my first AIDS Walk Canada. □ I can’t make it on September 26, but I want to donate. 3- - �fundraising News BINGO!! X X • Do you have time on your hands, free evenings 1 with nothing to do? Do you like being in a busy , (hectic at times) atmosphere, surrounded by i crowds of people? Have we got the place for you! 1 Why not become an ACT-B Bingo Volunteer? Give , us a few hours now and then, or sign-up to bei come a regular bingo worker and work one or two 1 bingos a month. Talk to our regular bingo work, ers - they have a lot of fun and are a great bunch , i of people to know. If you're interested in helping 1 us out, call Carri at 345-1516 and arrange to be, come a ’Bingo Volunteer' today. Bingos are on the i 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month and run from j about 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. So give me a call and say "Bingo!" X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 00000000000000-0 J e s jo s=Jo s=Jo s jo s jo 3=0° SEjo * COME ONE, COME ALL! JOIN US FOR A NIGHT OF BEAUTIFUL DIVAS! * * BACKSTREET DANCE KLUB IS HOSTING A BENEFIT DRAG SHOW FOR THE THUNDER BAY AIDS WALK '99 SATURDAY SEPT. 11, 1999 AT 10:30 PM TICKET $5.00 AT THE DOOR ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE WALK COME EARLY AND GET A GREAT SEAT! AND OF COURSE, EVERYONE CAN REGISTER FOR THE WALK AT BACKSTREET! SEE YOU THERE!! 000000000000000000 * 4> o V o V MEMBERSHIP IN ACT-B o V Why should I become a member of ACT-B? o Membership brings with it many benefits. Becoming an active voting member of the AIDS Committee of Thun­ V o der Bay means that you: V o * Have a say in the direction of the agency V o * Have paid the annual membership fees V o * Support the aims and objectives of the agency V * Can attend & vote at the Annual General Meeting o * * * V Can stand for nomination to the Board of Directors Can elect the incoming Board members Receive the agency newsletter o V o o o g jo s jo s j o g jo s j o s jo 5=J o s jo S-J o h J o e J. TAG DAY IS COMING! On November 18, 1999 volunteers will be at eleven locations in the city offering Red Ribbons to people in exchange for a donation to the AIDS Committee. Your continued support of this event is appreciated. Last year we raised $1765. This year, we can do even bet­ ter! Call Carri at ACT-B to volunteer! BENEFIT DRAG SHOW FOR AIDS WALK '99 'WALK A MILE IN MY SHOES' ft When do I need to submit my application for membership? o According to the ACT-B by-laws, your membership must be received at least 30 days prior to the Annual Gen­ V o eral Meeting (in late November) for you to be eligible for voting privileges. Therefore, the deadline for receipt V c of your membership application is October 20,1999. V o How do I apply for membership? V o The last page of this newsletter has a cut-out membership form you can fill in and mail to the ACT-B office at o Box 24025 RPO Downtown North, Thunder Bay, ON P7A 8A9 V OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODOOOOOOOOOOOOOO o V 4- - �"Opening More Doors'" 8th ANNUAL NW ONTARIO REGIONAL HIV/AIDS Counselling CON­ FERENCE Thursday, October 14th and Friday, October 15th, 1999 ACT-B has spaces available for anyone interested in attending our 8th annual Counselling Conference on October 14 and 15. The conference will take place at the Victoria Inn here in Thunder Bay. This annual conference focuses on counselling issues relating to HIV/AIDS. The AIDS Committee welcomes health care workers, counsellors, clergy, people living with HIV/AIDS (PHAs), and their family and friends to attend. The registration fee is $30.00, which includes all 6 workshops and 3 meals. There is no charge for PHAs. This fee also covers car travel and accommodation for those out-of-town registrants. However travel subsidies are limited so please register early. A fee of $10.00 will be charged for those wishing to attend the plenaries only. This event is funded by the Ministry of Health - AIDS Bureau. This year's workshop topics include: □ HIV Transmission: Guidelines for Assessing Risk □ □ Treatment Information Forum, (a dinner and workshop on Thursday October 14) Understanding AIDS terminology □ Counselling Issues Related to HIV/AIDS and Mental Illness □ Harm Reduction Strategies □ □ □ Developing and Maintaining Trust in the Counselling Relationship Supporting People Who are HIV+ That Have Children Aboriginal Healing Circle □ Talking Frankly about Sex to Clients This conference is an excellent opportunity to gain knowledge as well as network with others in this field! For more information please contact Joanne Books, Conference Coordinator at 807-3469388 or 807-345-1516. �Food for Thought - Canada’s Food Guide By Ingrid Buahene, Nutritionist i The terms ‘fibre’ and ‘residue’ are not clearly differentiated. Fibre consists of the indigestible parts of foods. It includes cellulose, lignin, germs and re­ lated substances of plants, and the tough connective tissues from meats. Residue refers to the hulk remaining in the lower part of the gastrointestinal tract. It is de­ rived from the indigestible fibres of the food. Some foods contain much more fibre than others. Contrast the fibrous nature of cabbage, celery , and pineapple with the finer texture of spinach, lettuce and banana; or the toughness of mature peas and lima beans. The structural parts of the plant, skins and seeds are indigestible. They lend bulk to the nor­ mal diet and encourage normal elimination. To make sure that we get enough fibre in our daily food intake we should eat as much raw vegetables and fruits as possible. Do not peel apples, peas and peaches - leave the skin on. Have a salad as a vegetable with your meal. Eat whole wheat bread, follow Canada’s Food Guide as we talked about in the last newsletter. Next newsletter we will discuss Lactose Intolerance r~ r r ^r ^r ^r gGaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaoaaaaaaaaoag 9 9 Apricot Oatmeal Bars 9 9 Crumb Mixture 9 1 1/4 c flour ^ 1 1/4 c quick cooking oats q 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 c sugar 3/4 c margarine, melted 2 tsp vanilla 9 Filling 9 10 oz apricot jam 1/2 c flaked coconut 9 ^ 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 Heat oven to 350. In large mixer bowl combine all ingredients, Beat at low 9 9 speed, scraping bowl often until mixture is crumbly. Reserve 1 cup of mix- 9 9 ture. Press remaining crumb mixture on bottom of greased 13x9 baking 9 9 pan. For filling, spread apricot jam to within 1/2" from edge. Bake for 22-9 9 27 minutes or until edges are slightly browned. bars. Makes 3 dozen. Cool completely and cut into 9 ^9 s^ r ^r r ^r r r ^r r r r ^r ^r OOOOOOCJOOOOOOCJCJOC900CJCJCJCJCJCJCJCJCJCJCJ �NAiJve AA\enjCAN pn Ayan O GREAT SPIRIT WHOSE VOICE I HEAR IN THE WINDS, AND WHOSE BREATH GIVES LIFE TO ALL THE WORLD, HEAR ME. I COME BEFORE YOU ONE OF YOUR MANY CHILDREN. I AM SMALL AND WEAK. I NEED YOUR STRENGTH AND WISDOM. LET ME WALK IN BEAUTY AND MAKE MY EYES EVER BEHOLD THE RED AND PURPLE SUNSET. MAKE MY HANDS RESPECT THE THINGS YOU HAVE MADE, MY EARS SHARP TO HEAR YOUR VOICE. MAKE ME WISE SO THAT I MAY KNOW THE THINGS YOU HAVE TAUGHT MY PEOPLE, THE LESSONS YOU HAVE HIDDEN IN EVERY LEAF AND ROCK. I SEEK STRENGTH NOT TO BE SUPERIOR TO MY BROTHERS, BUT TO FIGHT MY GREATEST ENEMYMYSELF. MAKE ME EVER READY TO COtAE TO YOU WITH CLEAN HANDS AND STRAIGHT EYES, SO WHEN LIFE FADES AS A FADING SUNSET, MY SPIRIT WILL CO^AE TO YOU WITHOUT SHAME AUTHOR UNKNOWN A VOLUNTEER’S VIEW In the beginning I felt sorry for the staff at ACT-B. You see, I am a volunteer receptionist and the training took some time. At first, I couldn’t keep their names straight - and the phones! I’ve lost calls, hung up on people and disconnected some. Still, they all smile, and make you feel appreciated. Christa, the secretary has been extremely patient with me While I’ve been learn­ ing how to use the computers. I can’t tell you how many time my “oops!” has brought her out of her office to see which button I accidentally pushed. I mean, a mouse was something which ran away when I screamed! When asked to “boot” the computer, I thought they wanted me to kick the dam thing! I learned quick though (yes, she did - Ed note). I also volunteer at bingos twice a month. Ah, bingos where we work hard, and play just as hard too! Boy I learned quick not to wish some people “Good luck” . One gal said “Well, I’d just better leave now!” Unfortunately I wasn’t the only one who wished her luck and she began to wonder “What’s with you people?” Well, she won the jackpot that night. Luck has nothing to do with it, I wanted to say, but smiled while giving the dear lady her winnings. I volunteer for many reasons. I am a single mother of three wonderful children and I’ve always taught my children never to judge another person, always respect others, and help out where you can. Richard, my 17 year old and my 10 year old, Amelia also volunteer. Logan, my 15 year old can’t wait to turn 16 and help out at the bingos. I feel comfortable at ACT-B. Volunteering is self-satisfying. I feel good about myself when I accomplish a task. To hear the heartfelt “thanks” from the staff puts a smile in my heart. I’m proud to say I volunteer at ACT-B! — Heather Graham . (I have to say that Headier is a wonderful person as well as an excellent volunteer. She no longer hangs up on people. - Carri) 5- - �Satiate To VoGkhteers A 4 <4 HELLO! AU REVOIR Here I am, your new Volunteer Coordi­ nator. Most of you have already met me or heard my voice begging you to help me out! My name is Carri, I have been a volunteer with ACT-B for five years now and as contract staff in various capacities for four. Stepping into this position has reminded me, once again how truly important volun­ teers are. What a wonderful group of people we have at ACT-B. Dedicated, fun and caring bunch: OUR VOLUN­ TEERS GO THAT EXTRA MILE! I am •*, 4 4 greatly enjoying my time here and I hope to spend time with all of you. If 4 we haven't met yet give me a shout and we can get to know one another. I 4 4 hope to hear from all of you very soon! 4 Later, friends. 4 4 4 Volunteers! Thunder Bay AIDS Walk 99 approaches! I’m sure you know I will be calling everyone to par­ ticipate in this exciting event so- beat me to it! Call Carri today ! Sometimes 1 think our volunteers forget just how much they are needed. Maybe we all need to remember how important they are. This is never more true than when a beloved volunteer leaves our serv­ ice. Anne Ciemny has been with our agency since 1990. Recently, she decided to end her volunteering to spend more time with her family. Most of us who know Anne, remember her as our Wednesday morning receptionist. Her cheery manner and infectious smile brought sunshine to the rainiest day. Anne’s truly caring nature is missed by everyone. Anne, herself, offers us these words: “It has been wonderful working for ACT-B because they appreciate volun­ teers so much. They make you feel very wanted and needed. This makes you feel open and complete to be so appreciated. HIV+ people who have come to terms with their disease and appreciate life are very beautiful. I’m very happy to have met the people from ACT-B . I am ex­ tremely honoured to have been allowed into their lives.” Anne, we miss you! YOU ARE THE GREATEST! A special note of thanks going out to all of the volun­ teers who participated at the CLE info table. As well, everyone who helped at the bingos the past year. Can I get some more in? To all the receptionists who have saved me time and again. Of course I must thank my mother, my dog (sniffle, sniffle) and everyone who is laughing with me! •% A, •• 6- - °*° °o° °o° °o �Mere and 7Here ... wwwwwww w For Information - About AIDS or HIV Infection: Call the AIDS Hotline at 1-800-668-2437 w THfiWK-YOD TO OUR Or The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay GENEROUS WALK SUPPORTERS Information Line 345-SAFE (7233) Sponsors- Downtown Volkswagen, Molson’s About The Needle Exchange: Companies donation Fund, Bay Credit union, Call 625-9767 Bell Canada, Bowater, Good News Cafe, 345-7233 or 345-1516 Grand Portage Lodge & Casino, The Outpost About Anonymous HIV Testing in Thunder Bay Pub, Backstreet Klub, Pizza Hut, Domino’s Call 625-5981 Pizza, HMV, Canadian Airlines, Delta Chelsea About Regular HIV Testing Hotel (Toronto) Call the STD Clinics 625-5944 or 622-7585 Media Sponsors- The Chronicle-Journal, «« About Counselling or Referrals 580 CKPR W Call the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Contributors- Bearskin Airlines, Happy w 345-7233 Times Tours & Travel, Prince Arthur Hotel, About HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Call Catie (Community AIDS Treatment Information i uanaua Canada oames Games uompiex, Complex, appieoee Applebee’ss NeighborneiynooiW Exchange) 1-800-263-1638 hood Grill & Bar, Thunder Bay Community W W W W w W Auditorium, Kelsey’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill, P.A.M.’s Coffee, Laura’s Collectible & Gifts, Kim Hansen’s Masterfeast Dinner Thea1 tre, Mount Baldy Ski Hill, Native Arts & Crafts, Port Arthur Brasserie & Brew Pub, M&M Meat Shops, Great Canadian Bagel Company, Kakabeka Crystal, Unisource Canada Inc., Safeway (Court St.), Super Pet, Beaver Lumber, Power Centre W: W W ** Service bilingue disponible 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) * V W The w Network 1-800-263-1638 w HIV/AIDS Treatment Information wwwwwww WAL-MART HOT DOG DA Y We would like to thank Wal-Mart for choosing The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay as one of the local charities for which it hosts a sale ofhotdogs and sodas We also acknowledge the support of Maltese Grocery and Schneider Foods for their generous help with this event. HELPING HANDS The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay and its Support Services Committee would like to thank the Rotary Club of Fort William for its compassionate and kind donation to the Emergency Financial Assistance Program. email: info@catie.ca internet: www.catie.ca Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange catie OODODOOOOOOOQaDDODOPaOOODOOO ° □ a ° □ Q □ □ ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay will be holding it’s Annual General Meeting on November 24, 1999 To conduct agency business and elect the 1999/2000 Board of Directors ° □ D ° □ □ Cl D Members will receive an official package announcing the Q a location, time and guest speaker in October. o □ O □ D o a o 0 Persons interested in serving on the Board of Directors D can phone the ACT-B office at 345-1516 a for an interview and information package D □ □ o □ Consider joining our team of experienced and dedicated □ D Board members from a wide variety of backgrounds. ° ° PHA/HIV+ encouraged. ° o o ooQaQooaaooo QaoDoo'noocioocicino �Parting QCancc fyr ACT-B Advisory Council LOOKING TO THEFUTURE: ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ATACT-B Richard Atkinson Fred Ball Mary Lee Barry Ronald Joseph King ACT-B has begun a process of looking at who we are, where we fit in the community, and where we are heading over the next several years. A Board of Directors and Staff Retreat in late May set broad directions for the agency to act upon. A follow up staff retreat in August developed a process to organize and set priorities, and begin detailed work. j A number of issues have been identified, including the “current 1 picture” of HIV/AIDS in the community, emerging trends, the I role and activities of the agency, and how ACT-B is perceived in j the community. Out of this analysis, we hope to refresh and I renew the public image of the agency. This could include a new | agency logo and “public" look. Another major priority will be | clear plans and activities over the next two or three years. ' We will need to involve clients, members, volunteers, staff, the l Advisory Council and the community at large in consultations ! during this process. This is expected to take until Spring 2000 i with an update to be made to the membership at the Annual General Meeting in November. ; We hope that you will be able to help us when we begin to do the i consultarions. Look for updates in future newsletter on the development of this work.. Gail Linklater Dr. Gordon Milne Karen O’Gorman Diana Smith Sharon-Dale Stone Nicky Tittley Rev. Don Uhryniw Don Young Co-Chair Director, Regional Public Health Laboratory Ogden East End CHC Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre Crossroads Centre Family Physician HIV Program Consultant ARF Public Health Nurse, Thunder Bay District Health Unit ACT-B Board of Directors Safety Coordinator, Thunder Bay Regional Hospital Current River United Church, Council of Clergy Co-Chair ACT-B Board of Directors Rick Atkinson Sandy Johnston Doug Kanto Rob MacKay Sharon-Dale Stone Pius White Deborah Emery, Pres. Dawn Kannegiesser John Kirst Stephen Mitchell Bruno Valente Don Young ACT-B Staff Janet Adams Christa Alsch David Belrose Sheila Berry John Books Daryle Cano Lawrence Korhonen Selly Pajamaki Michael Sobota Carri Whidden 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. IDU Outreach Worker Secretary Education Coordinator Support Services Coordinator Fund Raising Coordinator Support Worker/Health Promoter Executive Director Administration Coordinator History Project Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator reAQT-Boiieve ContriOutors Carri Whidden Editor ACT-B staff & volunteers The opinions and medical information offered by “reACTBelieve” 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. Yes! I want to become a member ofACT-B! I know that my contribution will really count! Here is my donation $10.00_____ , $20.00_____ . $50.00_____ . other_____ Please address any comments or concerns to: reACT-Believe P.O. Box 24025 RPO Downtown North Thunder Bay ON P7A 8A9 (807) 345-1516 i Name:_________________________________ | Address:_______________________ City, Province & P.C:________________________________ Or, e-mail us at: actb@tbaytel.net Telephone:_________________________________________ Visit us on the internet at: www.tbaytel.net/actb 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 12 Issue 2 - Summer 1999 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 1999 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/17/2695/1999_reACT-Believe_vol12no4_2.pdf f426fc227ae85413275e9ff92f5fda86 PDF Text Text reACT-Believe The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Fall/Winter 1999 Volume 12, Issue 4 AJDS AWARGNGSS WGGK AND HOLJDAyS JSSUG National AIDS Awareness Campaign 1999-2000 "The Myths Surrounding HIV/AIDS” AIDS Awareness Week November 22 to 29,1999 The theme of the 1999-2000 National AIDS Awareness Campaign is "The Myths surrounding HTV/ATDS". Given the significant changes that have been occurring in the epidemic over the past few years, this is a good time to reflect on the discrepancy between common public perceptions and the realities faced by people living with or affected by HIV/ AIDS. Recent advances in treatment, a current vaccine trial, and the fact that people are living longer with HIV/ AIDS, have helped to contribute to a sense of complacency among the general public about the importance of HIV. However, it is important to realize that there is NO CURE for HIV/AIDS, and that while people are living longer, more people continue to be infected every year. We will see increasing costs attached to dealing with HIV/AIDS, as the numbers of people requiring ongoing treatment and support keep growing. We need to continue to focus on preventing the spread of HIV. One of the major difficulties of dealing with HIV is the problems of people's perceptions. Among the myths that work against effectively dealing with this issue are: • that many people still think this is a gay disease; • or that women are not affected; • or that it is only a white person's disease; • or that HIV is somebody else's problem, whoever am. Here in Thunder Bay we find that most of our HIV positive clients are heterosexual (87% at this time), almost a quarter are women, more than a quarter are Aboriginal, more than half have injection drug use issues, and families are increasingly affected. The number of HIV-positive people continue to grow, and no part of our region is exempt from the effects of HIV/AIDS. In Thunder Bay (see Thunder Bay events elsewhere in this newsletter) and other Northwestern Ontario communities, look for AIDS Awareness Week Events Nov. 22- 29 and for awareness campaigns after that. Learn about HIV/AIDS. Don't assume that you won't be affected. Understand how the virus is transmitted. Do what you can to make your com­ munity aware.. Under Our Cover ... AIDS Awareness Week Schedule Fundraising News From the Community Book Review Volunteer News Here And There Parting Glance 2 1 4 5 6 7 S �AIDS AWARENESS WEEK 1999 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Throughout the week Nov. 22 * Nov. 26 • Information Display Village Clinic, Victoriaville Thunder Bay District Health Unit • Red Pencil distribution (World AIDS Day imprint) Grade 7 - 8 classes (public schools only) Thunder Bay District Health Unit • Watch Shaw Cable 7 Television for "Plugged-ln" with profile of ACT-B • Watch Thunder Bay Television for Injection Drug Use commercials • Nov. 23-25 Nishnawbe-Aski Nation HIV/AIDS Training Workshop (call 623-8228) Tuesday, Nov. 16 (advance event) • Media Launch - IDU TV commercials (commercials to run during AAW) ACT-B boardroom AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Saturday, Nov 20 • ACT-B Tag Day Various locations AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Monday, Nov. 22 • Banner contest (judging by ACT-B) Lakehead University Residence Tuesday, Nov. 23 • AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Annual General Meeting Speaker: Frank McGee Coordinator, AIDS Bureau, OMOH Unitarian House 129 S. Algoma St. Wednesday, Nov. 24 • Information Display 1-4 PM Lakehead University Agora • Healthy Sex Night for Women 7 PM Conference Room A • Healthy Sex Night for Men 7 PM Conference Room B Lakehead University Residence (open to public) Thursday, Nov. 25 • Candlelight Vigil 7:30 PM at ACT-B (Silent Walk from ACT-B to Unitarian House 129 S. Algoma St.) • Thursday Night Sex Show - discussion group for gay and bisexual men 8:00 - 9:30 PM at Backstreet Dance Klub 24 South Cumberland Street • Condom Blitz 9:00 - 10:00 PM Lakehead University Outpost Friday, Nov. 26 • Information display 1 - 4 PM Lakehead University Residence • Condom Blitz 11:30 PM Backstreet Dance Klub 24 South Cumberland Street Wednesday, Dec. 1 • World AIDS Day For information or details contact: AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Phone : 345-1516 Fax: 345-2505 E-mail: actb@tbaytel.net Web site: www.tbaytel.net/~actb �fundraising News AIDS COMMITTEE OF THUNDER BAY ADVENTURE RAFFLE WANTED: THREE LUCKY PEOPLE TO WIN THE FOLLOWING PRIZES 1ST PRIZE: Trip for two to Las Vegas with a four night stay at the New York New York Hotel 2ND PRIZE: Four day houseboat trip on Lake of the WToods 3RD PRIZE: A Broil King gas barbecue Tickets $10.00 Availablefrom ACT-B staff, some volunteers, the ACT-B office. Folino’s, George’s Market and some malls. This campaign will help fund HIV/AIDS support, education and prevention activities of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay. It is very important that every ticket be sold. Total value of the prizes: $5*200 Only 2000 tickets printed Draw to be held March 17, 2000. Lottery #M 106119 w o aU o 4T-., V *A ’£ J V 4T^4 4T~I* ,y =v ,y i*d yy w F^* =y Ft* yd F^* a yy Ft* Ft* •U yy ly a W W yj »y U wu „y 4T~-i 4T1» w yy M ,y W <T~^ <T7» <T"J» F$ 1aj Ly ly MEMBERSHIP IN ACT-B Why should I become a member of ACT-B? Membership brings with it many benefits. Becoming an active voting member of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay means that you: * Have a sav in the direction of the agency * Have paid the annual membership fees * Support the aims and objectives of the agency * Can attend & vote at the Annual General Meeting * Can stand for nomination to the Board of Directors * Can elect the incoming Board members * Receive the agency newsletter V W hen do I need to submit my application for membership? V According to the ACT-B by-laws, your membership must be received at least 30 days prior to the Annual >J» General Meeting (in late November) for you to be eligible for voting privileges. Therefore, the deadline for •A receipt of your membership application was October 20. 1999. V How do 1 apply for membership? >7-- The last page of this newsletter has a cut-out membership form you can fiil in and mail to the ACT-B office at .A Box 24025 RPO Downtown North. Thunder Bav. ON P"A SA9 <r> 4^ *y yj �For Gabe: A Special Remembrance The History Project: A Report From The Field By Michael Sobota Throughout the summer and fall, I have been engaged in gathering information. I feel not unlike any of the busy forest creatures that have been frantically gathering and storing up food to sustain them during the upcoming winter. The difference is that I know I am still on the early stages of my gathering and storing. I will have to continue this through the winter. The feasting part - the actual hard organizing and writing from all this rich material is still some distance off. Those of you acquainted with this newsletter and our agency will remember Gabe Kakeway. Gabe was an HIV/AIDS Educator for the Treaty 3 area, and was working for Ojibway Tribal Family Services at the time of his death in September 1998. Gabe was also a special friend to the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay. Recently our agency received an anonymous gift in memory of Gabe. This gift is an incredible piece of embroidery work set out in the colours of the Teaching Turtle. Please come down to The AIDS Committee and see this piece which has been placed in our reception area. To the person that gave us this incredible gift - thank-you from the bottom of our hearts, we are truly honoured. Here are a few snapshots of material I have gathered so far: HIV/AIDS continues to increase throughout the province. While Ontario continues to produce about 1, 000 new HIV infections annually, there is a growing apathy to the dangers of transmission. AIDS service organizations across the province are grappling with this and many other front line challenges. There have been celebrations in the midst of challenge, however, with ACCESS: The AIDS Committee of Sudbury, BLACKCAP and The Teresa Group all reaching 10 year anniversaries. Anniversaries are proud moments for reflection, analysis and gratitude. I am grateful for those individuals who have been sharing their reflections with me. as I work on The History Project. If you have personal stories or information to share about how you. you agency or your community responded to HIY7AIDS, you can reach me at The History Project, 19 Regent Street, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7A 5G5. Phone: (S07)345-2315. FAX: (S07) 345-3124. Email: sobotam@hotmail.com 4 �Food for Thought - Canada’s Food Guide By Ingrid Buahene. Nutritionist Acquired Lactase Deficiency j Many individuals have adequate levels of lactase during infancy but lose some of the ability to digest lactose in later years. . The deficiency occurs frequently in Oriental and African populations and in the Middle East. It occurs only in a small percentage of Caucasians. The rate at which Lactase is absorbedfrom the intestine increases in the presence of calcium concentration. The mechanism of this absorptive process is still not clear, but it is important in infants dependant on calcium for bone growth and lactase as an energy' source. What is Lactase It is an enzyme, which hydrolyses lactose into galactose and glucose. Some individuals lack lactase and accumulate lactose in the intestines, where it is degraded by bacteria. The products of C02 and organic acids cause digestive problems, including diarrhea, flatulence and cramps. This condition is termed LACTOSE INTOLERANCE. If this condition persists it will lead to long-term intestinal problems. To keep this condition under control one should avoid milk in allforms, desserts made with milk or cream such as cakes, ice cream. All luncheon meats unless stated 100% meat, cream soups and sauces. Butter or margarine may have no adverse effect and can be used. Every large grocery store now carries Lactose Free milk or you can use regular milk and add products to make it digestible such as drops found in pharmacies. Yogurt can be tolerated because lactose is hydrolyzed in the fermentation process by which yogurt is produced. (gp Banana Muffins ® cup sugar ^ 4 ripe bananas 9 1/2 cup shortening (j^ ® 1 1/3 tsp baking soda 1 1/3 tsp baking powder 3/4 tsp salt W f>2 1/4 cup flour ^ 1 egg ¥ 9 Method 9 Sift together all dry ingredients. Make a well in the flour mixture and add the W beaten egg and mashed bananas. Mix only enough to moisten the dry W ■ ingredients. Add melted shortening and mix sufficiently into the mixture. ® ® Bake at 400 for about 20 min. Makes 18 muffins. ^ (gp Next issue: Food allergies (jp �1999 PHA Retreat Funded by AIDS Community Action Program (ACAP) A Positively Well Program "When you know nature as part of yourself, You will act in harmony. When you feel yourself part of nature, You will live in harmony." (Natural Harmony, Tao 13) The PHA retreat for clients of ACT-B was held at Pinebrook Bed and Breakfast, a wonderful rural setting. Brilliant fall colours, the murmur of the swollen river, and the soaring golden eagle elevated Pinebrook's renowned ambience. Amenities such as gourmet meals, the wood burning fire place, sauna and Jacuzzi make one feel like they were at a five star resort. Many people contributed to the success of the PHA retreat. We would like to thank Sara Jeffery and the staff of Pinebrook for their hospitality. Special thanks to ACT-B staff, the facilitators Kaija Makinen and Nancy Hall, and to the Elders - Leonard Bananish, Freda McDonald and their assistants, for facilitating the Sweat Lodge and Healing Circle. Gratitude is also extended to Cindy Aube our placement student for teaching the history and making of the Dream Catcher and to Paula Adams for the massage sessions. Guests at the PHA Retreat participated in workshops focussed on self-awareness, selfcare and healing. The responses from the retreat were very positive, which include the following: "For me, the experience was very relaxing and empowering. All if us didn't want to leave." "For a few wonderful days I was able to meet new friends, laugh and be alive." "The retreat was great, I wish it were longer." "The meals were excellent, the scenery was beautiful; the quiet and solitude brought me a sense of peace." "The atmosphere was positive. It was comforting knowing that you are around people that care." We look forward to seeing the client of ACT-B in May 2000 at our next PHA Retreat. �Social Work and HIV:The Canadian Experience Edited by William Rowe and Bill Ryan A Review by Michael Sobota This book published last year (199S), is an excellent resource for anyone providing HIV related counseling. The authors, both professors at McGill University’s School of Social Work, have extensive backgrounds both as teachers and published authors in the social work field. The book is easy to use,. It is divided into three broad theme sections on 1) Prevention, 2) Care and 3) Practice, Policy and Politics. These broad sections are further divided into 16 chapters, each containing an essay written on a specific aspect of HIV and so­ cial work. All of the authors are Canadian, and the content is both current and relevant to our local work. This is rare indeed for new publications on HIV/AIDS. Thunder Bay is represented by Lakehead University’s Sharon Taylor, who contributes a chapter on Confidentiality/Ethical Issues in Social Work and HIV. This chapter, which is an easy to read broad compendium of confidentiality concerns and related ethical is­ sues, draws on the work of Kim Mauro-Hopkins, who developed this topic while on a placement with ACT-B’s Support Services Department. This chapter also utilizes the important groundwork done in the OACHA paper Reducing HIV Transmission bv Peo­ ple Who Are Unwilling or Unable To Take Appropriate Precautions. The book is a small encyclopedia of current thinking on the many complex counseling challenges facing anyone working in the field of HIV/AIDS. There are strong sections on working with injection drug users and substance users as well as chapters on fami­ lies with children, using the Medicine Wheel with street youth, and euthanasia and as­ sisted suicide. In addition to being a resource for front-line counselors, it is a valuable source book for students from the secondary level on up who may be working on school papers. With a personally moving Forward written by David Hoe, and a cover that features col­ our panels from the Canadian AIDS Quilt, this book is an essential addition to every library on HIV/AIDS. Published by Oxford University Press, in paperback. �VoCkhtecr News A Tribute to Richard Atkinson After ten years of service to the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay. Richard Atkinson is stepping down from the Board. For ten years, as Board members came and went and as Presidents came and went. Richard was a constant levelheaded presence, maintaining a good level of balance, professionalism and productivity with all the diverse issues that Boards have to address. For many years he served on the Executive Committee, most recently as Treasurer, was on the Policies and Procedure Committee, the Personnel Committee and was Co-Chair of the Advisory Council. His ability to think clearly, to negotiate; in tense situations and to persuade with humour and a sense of justice benefited all these communities. Also through his work at the Kinna-aweya Legal Clinic, Richard helped people living with HIV/AEDS with many issues: advocating for their rights in landlord/tenant disputes and disability appeals. At the same time, he served other non-profit Boards in our community and advocated on the behalf of the poor and disadvantaged with government committees. A gift Richard bestowed on us all was a sense of humour. Annually, he unleashed his humour at the Healthy Sex Cabaret when he would lampoon local politicians for their stands on social issues and satirize contemporary sexual mores. His compassion, humour and common sense will be missed. Thank-you. Richard. The AIDS Committee is honoured by your years of sen ice. John Books -o- DO YOU WANT TO BE A SECRET SANTA? Each year the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay offers our clients a stocking filled with Christmas Cheer! That’s where you come in! Please help us make Christmas a wonderful time for everyone. Call Sheila at ACT-B today (345-1516) and say “Merry Christmas, HO HO HO!" �! I Mete and Tfiere ... For Information - STUART RETURNS! About AIDS or HIV Infection: Call the AIDS Hotline at 1-S00-668-2437 Or The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay i Information Line 345-SAFE (7233) Hi, I’m Stuart Boland, formerly the coordinator of the Substance Use About The Needle Exchange: Outreach Project (SUOP). ! Call 625-9767 1 am happy to be back at ACT-B to be a 345-7233 or 345-1516 part of the Targeted Prevention Initiative; About Anonymous HIV Testing in Thunder Bay which continues the work of SUOP. Two Call 625-5981 About Regular HIV Testing programs will carry on under this Call the STD Clinics 625-5944 or 622-7585 program. The Peer Ambassador Program About Counselling or Referrals Call the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay will be maintained; and a new Outreach 345-7233 Bar Play “Reckless” will soon be About HIV/AIDS Treatment Information appearing at a bar near you! I am also Call Catie (Community AIDS Treatment Information facilitating a new project called The Exchange) 1-800-263-1638 Learning & Delivery Options project. Servicebilinguedisponible ALL CALLS CONFIDENTIAL This is a Preliminary Community Based Monday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Needs Assessment project that will Tuesday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Eastern Time) Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) involve input from ACT-B’s service users The in an attempt to better understand their Network needs as adult learners. For more 1-800-263-1638 information please call me at ACT-B HIV/AIDS Treatment Information email: info@catie.ca internet: www.catie.ca Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING catie The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay will be holding it’s Annual General Meeting on Novem­ ber 23, 1999 at the Lakehead Unitarian Fellow­ ship Church at 7:00 pm; to conduct agency busi­ ness and elect the 1999/2000 Board of Directors HELPING HANDS To the Body Structure Centre, Nancy Hall, Sue Langer, Saira Lemieux and all those who generously donate complementaiy therapies to our agency. Thank-you for all you do! A Silent auction will take place that evening. All current members will have received their AGM package including a proxy voting form and minutes from the last AGM. TAG DAY November 20, 1999 is our annual tag day drive. Volunteers will be stationed at eight | locations around the city’ collecting donations and handing out red ribbons for ACT-B. Here’s your chance! Volunteer to work this day or give your support! See you there! Members in good standing who have not yet re­ ceived their package should call ACT-B 345-1516 -7- �Parting QCancc ACT-B Advisory Council! Co-Chair Director. Regional Public Health Laboratory Mary Lee Barry Ogden East End CHC Ronald Joseph King Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre Gail Linklater Crossroads Centre Family Physician Dr. Gordon Milne Karen O'Gorman HIV Program Consultant ARF Diana Smith Public Health Nurse, Thunder Bay District Health Unit Sharon-Dale Stone ACT-B Board of Directors Nicky Tittley Safety Coordinator, Thunder Bay Regional Hospital Rev. Don Uhryniw Current River United Church, Council of Clergy Don Young Co-Chair ACT-B Board of Directors Rick Atkinson Deborah Emery, Pres. Sandy Johnston Dawn Kannegiesser Rob MacKay Stephen Mitchell Sharon-Dale Stone Bruno Valente Don Young Pius White 1999 Opening More Doors Counseling Conference Richard Atkinson Fred Ball The 1999 Counseling Conference was held at the i Victoria Inn October 14-15. It consisted of a ! number of workshops related to HIV/AIDS, as well ' as a special Treatment Night dinner event attended ■ by 140 people. Ninety-five registrants participated in I the two days of activities. The conference was a great success, an incredible amount of interest shown. I attended the conference and was impressed by the calibre of workshops offered and the outstanding organization of the conference by Joanne Books, Counseling Conference Coordinator. Pius White's presentation of HIV Terminology was extremely informative and well-planned. Joanne Jacomb and Diane Warpula’s presentation ofSex & The Snappy Girls was particularly humorous and revealing. The Aboriginal Healing circle was a time for sharing, growth and release. An extremely well organized and successful event. Congratulations Joanne! Janet Adams Christa Alsch David Belrose Sheila Berry John Books Doug Kanto LawTence Korhonen Selly Pajamaki Michael Sobota Carri Whidden Stuart Boland Cindv Aube 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. The opinions and medical information offered by “re.ACTBelieve" 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 o tiered should be used at your own discretion. Please consult your doctor. Please address any comments or concerns to: reACT-Believe P.O. Box 24025 RPO Downtown North Thunder Bay ON P7A SA9 (S07)*345-1516 ACT-B Staff IDU Outreach Worker Secretary Education Coordinator Support Sendees Coordinator Fund Raising Coordinator Support Worker/Health Promoter Executive Director Administration Coordinator History Project Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator TPI/LDO Coordinator Student Placement reAGT-BeMeva Contributors Carri Whidden Editor ACT-B staff & volunteers Yes! I want to become a member ofACT-B! I know that my contribution will really count! Here is my donation SI0.00____ . $20.00_____ . S30.00____ . other_____ ; ; i Name:_____________________________________________ j ! Address:___________________________________________ City. Province & P.C:_______________________________ Or. e-mail us at: actb@tbaytel.net Visit us on the internet at: www.tbavtel.net/actb ; i Telephone:_________________________________________ -S- � 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 12 Issue 4 - Fall/Winter 1999 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 1999 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/17/2696/2000_reACT-Believe_vol13no1_2.pdf e67b4c232c5b11951163fd4b5bfdc307 PDF Text Text reACT-Believe The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Spring/Summer 2000 Volume 13, Issue 1 >r//y- S$6‘a4ewed<>' The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay has always been aware that women are at risk for HIY infection. A total of 24 % of our HIV positive clients since the earliest days have been women. Recently the numbers have been climbing even higher as women accounted for 38% of new HIV positive cli­ ents in 1999. Our services have evolved to meet the needs of this increasingly significant proportion of our client base.. The early and persistent stereotype of AIDS as a "gay male" disease has perpetuated the notion that women are not at risk for HIV. That is not the case. In Canada, women are increasingly becoming infected with HIV, especially those who use injection drugs and whose sexual partners are at risk for HIV. There is a higher percentage of Aboriginal women with AIDS than in the non-Aboriginal population. By the end of June, 1999, 44,427 Canadians had tested positive for HIV, including 5,015 women (Laboratory Centre for Disease Control, November 1999). Doctors do not always encourage women to get tested for HIV or dismiss symptoms as "all in her head". This perpetuates the myth that women are not at risk for HIV. Therefore, women are not testing early for HIV/AIDS. Women in abusive relationships are at greater risk of HIV infection. Low self-esteem and the fear of instigating vio­ lence within an abusive relationship limit an abused woman's ability to insist on condom use with her partner. This risk is an invisible and deadly form of violence against women. Subordination in education, employment, social and legal status make women more vulnerable to HIV. Women who have limited access to financial resources are more likely to become economically dependent on men, relegated to the sub­ sistence sector or forced into commercial sex work. Attention to more immediate concerns of food, housing and substance use often take priority over future concerns of HIV infection. Young Women and HIV/AIDS Biologically, young women are more vulnerable to contracting HIV than older adult women. Faced with deci­ sions about sex and contraception, young women may not perceive themselves at risk for HIV infection. This can mean that young women are likely to engage in risky be­ haviour without fully understanding the possible conse­ quences. Gender inequality, risk taking, experimentation and low self-esteem are also factors contributing to HIV infec­ tion among young women. Younger women are more likely to have older male partners, therefore they often have less ability to negotiate safer sex; older males are more likely to have been exposed to HIV. Having unprotected sex also increases the chances of young women being infected with other sexually transmitted diseases. Among women, young women aged 15 to 19 years have the highest rates of infection of chla­ mydia and gonorrhea (Laboratory Centre for Disease Control, May 1999). Both of these STDs can involve a disruption in the lining of the vagina in young women, causing sores and ulcerations which can contribute to the exchange of body fluids and increase the risk for HIV transmission. continaed on pg. 2 Under Our Cover ... Women & HIV (con’t) 2 Important News For Pregnant Women 3 In & Out 4 It’s Walk Time Again! 5 The Extra Mile 6 Look Here... 7 Parting Glance 8 Summer Fun & New Opportunities Insert �Women & HIV - Con’t Action needs to be taken to address the social factors that make women vulnerable to contracting HIV. Programs need to be developed that promote women's self-empowerment, women's self-esteem, and tackle the issue of women and negotiat­ ing safer sex for themselves and their partners. Men also have a role to play in reducing HIV infection among women. Men need to educate themselves and each other on the impact of gender inequality and power imbalance in rela­ tionships while working for change. Call us at 807-345-1516 (1-800-488-5840 in Northwestern On­ tario) for more information. How can HIV infection be reduced? Latex condoms and water-based lubricant to reduce tiny rips and tears in the vagina or anus during sex can re­ duce the risk of infection. Women can also use the female condom as a way of preventing HIV infection. It can be most beneficial for women whose sex partners do not use latex con­ doms. The female condom is made of a polyurethane sheath, is unlikely to rip or tear, comes prelubricated and is meant to be used for only one sex act. It's always best not to share needles but if necessary follow the syringe cleaning guidelines and avoid sharing injection equipment. For the first time since 1996, the Canadian AIDS Memorial Quilt will be DISPLAYED IN IT’S ENTIRETY IN OTTAWA FROM JULY 20 - JULY 23. 2000 IN CONJUNCTION with the Canadian AIDS Society’s PLWHIV/AIDS Forum and Annual General Meeting and a National Prevention Satellite. The Quilt display is expected to attract large crowds and promises to provide AN EXTRAORDINARY EDUCATIONAL IMPACT UPON THOSE WHO SEE IT. THE LAST FULL VIEWING OF THE QUILT, HELD IN SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN, WAS VISITED BY MORE THAN 10 OOO people. The over 20 000 square feet required to display the full Quilt PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO IDENTIFY WITH THE HUMAN TOLL OF THE AIDS PANDEMIC IN Canada by tangibly displaying the humanity behind the statistics. Panels of the Quilt are made by families and friends to commemorate the lives OF LOVED ONES WHO HAVE DIED FROM AIDS. THE CANADIAN AIDS SOCIETY WILL BE SEEKING SUPPORT FROM ITS LOCAL MEMBER GROUPS TO HOST QUILTING BEES TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS IN THEIR COMMUNITY TO COMMEMORATE THE LIVES OF LOVED ONES WHO HAVE PASSED ON. THE QUILTING BEES WILL CREATE NEW PANELS THAT WILL BE INCORPORATED into the Canadian AIDS Memorial Quilt. The new panels will be dedicated during A SPECIAL CEREMONY AT THE DISPLAY IN OTTAWA. The Opening Ceremonies, a highlight of the Quilt display, involves the reading OF EACH INDIVIDUAL’S NAME THAT HAS BEEN COMMEMORATED BY A PANEL. OVER 70 QUILT PANELS WILL BE UNFOLDED BY TEAMS OF VOLUNTEERS. For more information on the Quilt display and local quilting bees, leave a MESSAGE ON THE EVENTS LINE AT THE CANADIAN AIDS SOCIETY AT 1 -800-499-1 986 EXT. 500 OR E-MAIL AGM@CDNAIDS.CA 2 �Important News For Pregnant Women If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you can protect your baby from HIV. Why? HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. You can have HIV for years and not feel sick. If you have HIV even without symptoms there is a 1 in 4 chance that the baby will have it too. To protect your baby and yourself you need to know for sure. How? The first step is to find out if you have HIV by getting tested. Ask your doctor, nurse or midwife. Or call a health centre, public health unit or family planning unit. What happens when you are tested? ' A small amount of blood is taken from your arm. You will know the test results in 2 or 3 weeks. It usually takes about 3 months after you are infected with HIV for signs of it to show up in your test. Because it may not show up yet, you might need to be tested again. You can get tested any time. Before pregnancy or early in pregnancy are better to protect your baby and yourself. What if I don't want anyone to know? The test results at any clinic or doctor's office are private and confidential. In some parts of Canada there are clinics where you can be tested without giving your name. These clinics are called anonymous test sites. If you want to go to an anonymous test site, ask the public health unit or health centre if there is one in your area. What if I have HIV... and I am pregnant? You can: take special medicine during pregnancy which decreases the risk of your baby getting HIV; OR continue your pregnancy without special medicine for HIV; OR choose to end your pregnancy. After your baby is born: Don't breast-feed. The baby could get HIV from your breast milk. Find out if your baby has HIV by having the baby tested. If she or he has HIV you can get the medical care the baby needs. Get the medical care you need to stay healthy. What if I have HIV (or my partner does)... and I want to get pregnant? Talk to a doctor about how you can best protect your baby, yourself and your partner. Learn the facts about HIV/AIDS If you need information on how to protect yourself from HIV infection, ask a doctor, nurse or midwife. Read the pamphlet called Basic Facts About HIV/AIDS, available from the Canadian HIV/AIDS Clearinghouse. For more brochures or educational resources, contact the Canadian Public Health Association Canadian HIV/AIDS Clearinghouse tel. (613) 725-3434 / fax (613) 725-1205 e-mail: aidssida@cpha.ca (c) 1997, The Canadian Public Health Association. The Canadian Public Health Association AIDS Program core funding is provided by Health Canada. This project is also supported by The Life and Health Insurance Companies in Canada The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official views of Health Canada. Last updated Aug 22,1997 3 �You didn’t think it would come back but here it is... With an attitude and a shoestring budget! The Healthy Sex Cabaret 2000! Join us for a night of fine performances by some of Thunder Bay’s finest musicians. summer Before you head to camp, come listen to the sounds of Friday June 9 at the Victoria Inn The show starts at 8 PM /Doors open at 7 PM Tickets $15.00 Performers to include Roxanne, Rodney Brown, Wayne Faulkner, Doc Tibbies, Nancy St. Jarre, Little Sex Theatre with Stuart Boland, Outside The Lines, Joshua Dowbak Norm Sponchia and others. We’ll miss you, John Welcome Jodi A new person has been hired to assume the posi­ tion and continue the development of agency fundraising. Ms. Jodi Graham joins ACT-B as the new Fundraising Co-ordinator. Jodi brings solid experience in local fundraising through her association with Shelter House. She has a pas­ sion for fundraising, is energetic, enthusiastic and looking forward to joining our team. Please welcome as Jodi as she begins her duties on June 5th as the newest staff member of the agency. In April, John Books who has been the Fundraising Co-ordinator with the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay for the past nine years decided it was time to leave the agency and pursue other interests. During his tenure he has overseen the growth and development of our bingos & nevadas, cabarets and our largest event our AIDS Walk. John has also been instrumental in the formation of the Lakehead Association of Fundraisers. His last day will be May 31st . We wish John well in his new endeavours. He will be missed. FOCUS ON FUNDRAISING j Many things are happening for ACT-B's fundraising. Since our last newsletter, we conducted our first "Adventure Raffle". You will see in this newsletter that we have a spring appeal to all recipients of the newsletter and supporters of the agency. Our Cabaret 2000 will be held June 9th at the Victoria Inn and features a strong line up of performers who have donated their tal­ ent so that we can continue the tradition of the past decade (get your ticket at the office early). The Walk committee has been active planning the annual AIDS WALK and will soon be encour­ aging everyone to "DO THE ROUTE". 4 �Spring Appeal The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay is behind in its fundraising. The Adventure Raffle did not do well. Though it had some dynamite prizes, not enough tickets were sold. As a result, we fell short of our expectations and are not able to implement some of the programs which the raffle was intended to fund, while others may be reduced or delayed. We are using this newsletter to piggy-back an appeal for your support. At this time of year, as we gear up for the AIDS Walk, ACT-B is usually running lean, but even more so now. We are calling on our regular supporters to contribute what they can to help in this lean time. ACT-B is committed to providing compassionate, accessible services to all who need them. Will you help us now fulfill that mission? ACT-B has many clients: people who have been living with HIV for a very long time and rely on our support services for daily living. New clients continue to approach ACT-B to help them with the necessities of living with this disease, to help them negotiate the many hurdles that they face. Women, men, native people, families with young children, are relying on the support and services of this agency to manage their disease and live as best they can. And there are the people in the community from all walks of life who learn through our prevention campaigns the risk factors of HIV. Information they need, to make informed decisions. We would appreciate your support to help close the gap. The goal of this appeal is $5,000. Please use the donation form at the bottom of the page and send it along with your donation in the enclosed envelope. Your gift is urgently needed to help give hope to those affected by HIV/AIDS. Thank you! Pius White, President DONATION FORM: Yes! I want to support ACT-B in continuing their significant work. Charitable registration number 10668 9847. I want to support the Spring Appeal. I will receive a tax receipt for a donation of any amount over $ 10.00. Here is my cheque payable to the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay (ACT-B). I would like to make a donation of:____$35____$50____ $100____other Name:______________________________________ Address:____________________________________ Postal Code:________________ Phone:_______________ Please mail to : The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay P.O.Box 24025, Thunder Bay P7A 8A9 �Due to editorial error “Food For Thought” will not be available this issue, it will return next time Safety to Itocfy "fettootog, ‘Body IteciDg Sr JtIV/flIDS Summer is here and it's time to show off your body art! Here are some tips to stay safer. Have a blast! # Do your J-foweWorlc * £ $ ^ You might have looked at prices for body art and thought about doing the work yourself, or getting a friend to do it ? for you, in order to save money. ^ Unless you are willing and able to take all the precautions that a reputable piercing or tattoo artist will take to en% sure the safety of the work, we cannot recommend the do-it-yourself route. # Saving a buck is simply not worth the risks involved. If you want work done, it’s worth getting done right. And safely. £ It’s your body and your health that’s on the line. # However, the most expensive artist isn't necessarily the best. Shop around. Take your time, don't do it on a whim. # n' n' 'T' *T' /|v 'I' /1' 'I' /»v n' /jv n' 'rk n' 'I' /»* /I' m' /?v ^»v /?> n' /|n /jv /fv /j\ /t* /T' /|> m n' n' /iv /jv n' /T' n\ /|\ nv 7|s xjv 7|\ /|x /jv xjv 7|\ 7|\ 7|s 7fv J X £ £ £ £ # 7|\ 7|\ 7)\ 7|\ /jx 7|\ 7|\ 7(\ vl/ \l/ \l/ \l/ \!/ \l/ \l/ \l/ vl/ \l/ \l/ \l/ vl/ \l/ \l/ v!/ \l/ vl/ vl/ \l/ vlx vl/ v!/ \l/ \l/ \l/ v!/ \l/ /|\ /|\ /|\ ✓♦'V /|\ /|N /|\ /|V /|\ /|\ 7|\ /|\ /|V /|\ /|N /|\ /|N /|\ /|\ /|\ /|\ 7|\ ✓IN /|\ 7|\ 7|V XfV 7|V vlx vlx Shopping ftps 7|N vlx ^ Here are some points and questions you should ask any prospective artist before agreeing to let them do your pierce or 7|V tattoo. vlx /TS • Look around. Check out many different artists. Find the one you're most comfortable with. vl/ 'lv • Does the artist have experience with your specific procedure? You’re paying for it - don't let someone practice on vl/ you. ✓»N vlx ^ 7|N *7|N vlx ^ vlx vl/ X»V ^1/ • Ask if they use new needles every time. HIV A Hepatitis can be passed on through re-used needles. Used needles /T^ develop barbs, micro bumps and hooks which mangle the skin, and carry micro rust, causing skin infections. X|V 7^ • Does the artist always wear latex gloves? If not, forget it! 71^ 71^ • Make sureyou see them sterilize the needles, even brand new ones. 7|^ • If you know that you have certain metal allergies, be sure to mention them to your artist. 7|^ • Cleanliness - is the work area clean and tidy? • Ask how they clean their equipment. Cold sterilization such as soaking in a chemical solution can only be used with, _. „ not instead of, hot sterilization. . vlx vl/ ^ • Make sure they provide a care sheet on your procedure's healing time and cleaning steps. Don't leave without it! J ^lN • The mental state of both artist and client should be clear. Alcohol A drugsthin your blood and you could bleed ex- /TS .vlx cessively. The artist's hand mustbe steady in order not to rough-cut any work, leading to infection. You want the .vlx 'lv best work possible. xlv vlx vlx X|X • if the person can't give clear, understandable answers to your questions or seems reluctant to answer them, don’t be /Tv vlyintimidated. Just leave andfind someone else. vlx X|N X|N vlx vlx vlx vlx vlx vlx vlx vlx vlx vlx vlx vlx vlx vlx vlx vlx vlx vlx vlx vlx vlx vlx vlx vlx vlx vlx vlx vlx X|V X|V X|V X|V X|V X|V X|V X|V 7|V X|V X|V X|V X|V XJV X|V XJV XJV X|V X|V X|V X|V X|V X|V XJV XJV 7|V 7j\ 7jV The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay 217 South Algoma Street Thunder Bay, ON P7B 3C3 Tel: (807)345-1516 Fax. (807)345-2505 Website: www.tbaytel.net/actb Email: actb@tbaytel.net This pamphlet was originally created by the AIDS Committee of London and is reproduced with their permission. �New oppoMUNJTjes por euems op act s In March we held a computer/internet-training workshop for clients. Participants learned to use the internet to access treatment information, connect with supporting agencies, complementary options, and became familiar with operating /setting up an email account. We received very positive feedback from the participants and other clients to have other computer workshops. Some success indicators form the workshop include the following: Clients of diverse perspective connecting more often with each other; having the tools to make informed decisions about their health care treatment options through the use of the internet; Clients increased engagement with ACT-B and improved computer skills. The PHA computer/internet-training workshop was held on Monday March 20, 2000 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at ACT-B. Special thanks to Pius White and Rob MacKay, computer training facilitators, for sharing their knowledge and expertise. Gratitude is also extended to Nancy Chamberlain of Family Services Thunder Bay for loaning us the multi-media projector. In the past several months we have invited complementary therapists to donate treatment sessions in shiatsu and healing touch for clients of ACT-B. The ideology of these complementary therapies is similar; when you are healthy, life energy flows freely through your body and when you are sick the flow of energy is blocked. Both complementary therapies help unblock the energy and bring your body back in balance. The client’s feedback for the complementary therapies have been very positive, clients are now making bookings for sessions in advance. We are witnessing many clients exploring other health alternatives. Recently many clients have explored psychodramatic bodywork since its introduction with ACT-B. Psychodramatic bodywork is a integration of following techniques: 1) Psychodrama is a form of psychotherapy in which blocked spontaneity from earlier traumas is unblocked and reintegrated through dramatic action methods 2) Bodywork is a form of healing that involves touching numb, tense, or painful areas in a safe manner. This process often directs us to unexpressed emotions that can be expressed, resulting in freeing of body energy flow. It is apparent that clients want to understand and explore the synergy between complementary therapies, their immune system, and their sense of well-being. Shiatsu is a form of Japanese massage that aims to balance the energies in your body. It is believed that energies that are out of balance can cause illness and tiredness, and make your immune system work less well. The word shiatsu when translated literally means finger pressure, however pressure can be applied to the recipient through palms, knees, elbows and even feet. The practitioner presses specific points on your body, which are connected to your organs by energy lines or meridians. The recipient lies fully clothed on a futon mattress while the therapist presses on certain points to stimulate the organ which unclog the blockage and enable the energy to flow throughout the system. Therapeutic touch and healing touch is based on the belief that all living things share in a life-energy field. When you're healthy, this life energy flows freely through your body. When you get sick, the flow of energy is blocked. These complementary therapies help unblock the energy and bring your body back in balance. The therapist works the energy in a way that clears areas where it is blocked and spreads it to where it is needed. The majority of research findings indicate the following major effects common to these therapies: > Releases stress and tension > Strengthens the immune system > Relieves discomfort and pain > Reduces depression Many people contributed to making these new opportunities possible for the clients of ACT-B. We would like to thank Nancy Hall our healing touch / therapeutic touch therapist, Toni Todesco our shiatsu practitioner for donating many hours for the complementary therapy sessions and Psychodramatic therapist Kaija Mackinen for working with our clients Special thanks again to Pius White and Rob MacKay for sharing their knowledge and expertise to empower others. �Do The Route The Red Ribbon Walk Welcome to the new Thunder Bay AIDS Walk. Do The Route, it has a certain ring to it, more inviting, fun oriented and inclusive. What’s new? We will be located at the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition grounds in the Heritage Building, and we will be walking in the Intercity area. We will be joined this day by our Honourary Chairperson Paula Bentz. Which favorites are returning? The VW Bug stuffing contest returns this year along with refreshments, incentives, prizes, the airplane contest and a good time for the whole family. The Walk is our most important fundraising event for the AIDS Committee. When you collect pledges and “do the route”, you are helping in the fight against HIV/AIDS in our community. This is your advance notice to Do The Route The pledges help fund important support, education and prevention efforts. The Walk is the easiest way to lend your support and enjoy a fun day with friends, family and many others who know the devastating impact of AIDS. They, like you, want to do something about it! Our goal this year is to raise $25,000 for ACT-B. Let's make this the most successful Walk ever! We want to see lots of new faces. Call us if you will be Doing the Route. Talk to your friends now to organize a team. You could recruit them from your place of work, church, class, everyone you know!. It’s always more fun to Walk with friends. We expect to have pledge forms available in June. Let us know if you want your pledge forms over the summer. We will send them as soon as they arrive. There will be great prizes for the top pledge collectors. THANK-YOU TO OUR “RED RIBBON WALK” SPONSORS JANZEN’S PHARMACY DOWNTOWN VOLKSWAGEN BAY CREDIT UNION GRAND PORTAGE LODGE & CASINO 5 �Each day we attempt to show our volunteers just how much they mean to us, how much the work they do means; that we couldn't do without them. While we always looks for ways to let volunteers feel our appreciation, sometimes it never feels like enough. What do we do to let them know? We have our annual Volunteer Appreciation Night! Held on Monday April 10, 2000, it was a night of music, laughter and all out appreciation. We had performances by Heather Graham, Richard Graham, Nancy St. Jarre and friend Marianne. Certificates were given to all volunteers, so if you weren't there call Carri to pick up yours. Extra special appreciation's were sent out to our fundraising volunteers. These people sit on our fundraising and Walk committees, help out at special events and work at our biweekly bingos. Our bingo workers are a special group, kind of wacky, always hard workers. One bingo volunteer in particular had to be recognized. She has worked hard to ensure the smooth and successful running of these events. Her name is Marge Cross. Once again, thank-you Marge. Thanks goes out to every volunteer who has helped at a bingo even once. It means a lot! Our regular volunteer receptionists deserve a round of applause as well. There are in the office at least once a week to answer the phones and greet visitors. Do you think this is all they do? NO! But I don't have enough space to mention it all! You know who you are - and thank you! Our agency offers rides to clients when they have doctor appointments, clinic visits etc. Of course, volunteers are recruited to drive. A dedicated bunch of people who spend lots of time traversing the city, helping out where they can, often on short notice. Thank-you for your patience and hard work! The highlight of each volunteer appreciation night is announcing the volunteer of the year and the names of two volunteers saluted by TBAVA (Thunder Bay Association of Volunteer Administrators). I was pleased to honour our volunteer of the year, Heather Graham! Heather has donated countless hours of her time to our agency helping out absolutely anywhere she can and smiles while she does it! Patti Cole was selected for the TBAVA award for excellence in volunteerism. If you're involved with fundraising you know Patti. She works incredibly hard! As well, we honoured Helen Rose, a longtime volunteer for her dedication and tireless enthusiasm. Helen always tries to bring awareness to her friends and community about HIV/AIDS - I'll bet Pius White thinks she should get the award just because she spoils him so much! Anyways, it was a wonderful evening, I'm sorry that some of you weren't there to enjoy it. If anyone has any suggestions on what they would like to see happen in the volunteer department, please call me. I have now been at this job for one year; I am feeling settled and ready for new ideas! 6 Special Volunteers to remember Heather Graham Volunteer of the Year Helen Rose Patti Cole TBAVA Salute to Volunteers Marge Cross Special Recognition in Fundraising Our drivers and receptionists Every volunteer who donates their time!!! �Lootl Hate... THANK-YOU! For Information About AIDS or HIV Infection: Call the AIDS Hotline at 1-800-668-2437 Or The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Information Line 345-SAFE (7233) About The Needle Exchange: Call 625-9767 345-7233 or 345-1516 About Anonymous HIV Testing in Thunder Bay 1 Call 625-5981 About Regular HIV Testing Call the STD Clinics 625-5944 or 622-7585 , About Counselling or Referrals ' Call the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay |345-7233 About HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Call CATIE (Community AIDS Information Exchange) 1-800-263-1638 Treatment MORE COMINGS & GOINGS A very special thank-you to everyone who donated Christmas baskets to our Secret Santa Project. We can't tell you who they are because it's a secret! Special thanks to Marge Cross and Sherry Britton, our volunteers extraordinaire for their work on this project! Thank-you as well to Sheila Berry Support Services Coordinator for overseeing this project! Service bilingue disponible 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) Daryle Cano, a member of our support services team decided, in December 1999, to leave her position in support services/health promotion. We will miss her and wish her well in all her endeavours. Don’t be too sad, she does come to visit with her new puppy, Rocky. The Network 1-800-263-1638 HIV/AIDS Treatment Information email: info@catie.ca internet: www.catie.ca Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange catie Attention PHA ’S, Volunteers and Other Members! This is your newsletter too! Consider contributing an article, writing a letter or introducing yourself to us! Call Carri today! Doug Kanto, a volunteer and former board member has joined our agency in Daryle’s absence. Doug has a strong background in social work and has been involved with our agency for 3 years now. We are glad to have you here, Doug. Welcome! -i- �Parting QCanca o ft ft ft O o o V o V o V MEMBERSHIP IN ACT-B Is your membership up to date? o o Why should I become a member of ACT-B? o Membership brings with it many benefits. Becoming an active voting member of the AIDS Committee of Thunder o V o Bay means that you: * Have a say in the direction of the agency o V * Have paid the annual membership fees o * Support the aims and objectives of the agency o * Can attend & vote at the Annual General Meeting o * Can stand for nomination to the Board of Directors o * Can elect the incoming Board members V * Receive the agency newsletter o ft How do I apply for membership? A Fill out the cut-out membership form below and mail to o the ACT-B office at Box 24025 RPO Downtown North, Thunder Bay, ON P7A 8A9 ft V o o V ft ft oooooooooooooooooo Yes! I want to become a member ofACT-B! I know that my contribution will really count! Here is my donation $10.00 , $20.00 , $50.00 , other Name:____________ Address:__________ City, Province & P.C: Telephone:________ The opinions and medical information offered by “reACTBelieve” 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 RPO Downtown North Thunder Bay ON P7A 8A9 (807) 345-1516 Or, e-mail us at: actb@tbaytel.net Visit us on the internet at: www.tbaytel.net/actb ACT-B Advisory Go uncle Co-Chair Director, Regional Public Health Laboratory Ronald Joseph King Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre Pat Piaskowski Thunder Bay Regional Hospital Gail Linklater Crossroads Centre Dr. Gordon Milne Family Physician Karen O’Gorman HIV Program Consultant ARF Diana Smith Public Health Nurse, Thunder Bay District Health Unit Sharon-Dale Stone ACT-B Board of Directors Nicky Tittley Safety Coordinator, Thunder Bay Regional Hospital Rev. Don Uhryniw Current River United Church, Council of Clergy Don Young Co-Chair Richard Thompson Superior Points Harm Reduction Prog. ACT-B Board of Directors Deborah Emery Pius White - President Sandy Johnston Sherry Britton - Secretary Rob MacKay Linda MacKay Sharon-Dale Stone Patti Cole Katherine White Don Young - Vice Pres. Sarah Bunn Allan Forbes - Treasurer Richard Atkinson Fred Ball Janet Adams Christa Alsch David Belrose Sheila Berry John Books Doug Kanto Lawrence Korhonen Selly Pajamaki Michael Sobota Carri Whidden Stuart Boland Carri Whidden Richard Graham ACT-B Staff IDU Outreach Worker Secretary Education Coordinator Support Services Coordinator Fund Raising Coordinator Support Worker/Health Promoter Executive Director Administration Coordinator History Project Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator TPI/LDO Coordinator taACT-Believe Co*trl6utors Co-editor Co-editor 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. � 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 13 Issue 1 - Spring/Summer 2000 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 2000 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/17/2697/2000_reACT-Believe_vol13no2_2.pdf de47aa3b484056b1771ef24be59406d7 PDF Text Text DO THE ROUTE The Red Ribbon Walk Volume 13,Issue 2 AIDS WALK CAKAPAj < n-EDCE IS THE HIST rap ,>»• ,il« ,»•' ,«»• |\ *J| \ V|< -Jj\ THE NEWSLETTER OF THE AIDS COMMITTEE OF THUNDER BA V VjX o** ,>'• ,«»• ,.*• ««•* "JjX vg^V| t ,<>• .til ^ It’s that time again! Get your shoes laced up and if you’d like, get a team together for this year’s AIDS Walk! Sunday, September 24, 2000. '*• .!«*• ko*a j«» v»< jji ,.»• ,<>i ,«»• Vj l ,,ii V ,iii ,«■ • \ Vj \ V|\V|\ V| \ Vj \ Vj* V| \ Vj l Vj\V|\ Vj\U|\V|% V|\ V|\ V|‘% Vj Registration Packages can now be picked up at the ACT-B Office. For more information, please call Jodi at 345-1516. Let s all come together and make this year's Walk the biggest one yet! All the money raised from the Walk stays in Thunder Bay to help fund support education and prevention programs. This year’s Walk is shaping up to be another great event. Everyone is excited and looking forward to the new location and Walk Route. Registration will be starting at 12:00 pm at the Heritage Building on the C.L.E. Grounds. The Route will take the walkers down May Street to Central Avenue, to 11th Avenue, via Field Street, up to Fort William Road turning right on Northern Avenue and back to the Heritage Building for the awards ceremony, entertainment and refreshments. Thank you “Red Ribbon Walk” Sponsors: Downtown Volkswagen, Grand Portage Lodge & Casino, Bowater Janzen’s Pharmacy WestJet Airlines Under Our Cover.. . Education Update In Fundraising Support & Discussion Groups The Extra Mile The Walk Take Your Sock Off... Inser t The Canada Food Guide Membership Information... 2 3 4 5 6 7-8 9 10 �Fall AIDS Awareness Campaign "Men & HIV/AIDS" The Theme for the Fall AIDS Awareness Campaign will be "Men & HIV/AIDS". UNAIDS has chosen "men" as its focus population for AIDS awareness and so CAS has adopted this theme "men" to link AIDS Awareness Week more closely to World AIDS Day. Please visit UNAIDS website for more information; www.unaids.org. Quoting from one UN AIDS report,"There are sound reasons, therefore, why men should be fully involved in the fight against AIDS. As politicians, as front­ line workers, as fathers, as sons, as brothers and as friends, they have much to give. The time is ripe to start seeing men not as some kind of problem, but as part of the solution." This theme is a logical progression from the Spring 2000 Women and HIV/AIDS campaign. CAS plans to produce up to five fact sheets, one each on the following topics: gay men, heterosexual men, men in prisons, Aboriginal men, and men who inject drugs. AIDS Awareness Week will run from November 27 to December 1 which is World AIDS Day. Contact us for further details. Gabe Kakeeway Memorial HIV/AIDS Resource Library The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay has operated a resource library since 1988, and it continues to house the most extensive and current collection of HIV/AIDS related materials in Northwestern Ontario. The library is a wellstocked source of current and historical information about HIV/AIDS and related issues, including the most recent statistics from around the world. The library is open to researchers, students, persons affected by HIV/AIDS, and the community at large. Contact us for more information, or drop in and check us out. Page 2 Some recent acquisitions include : Abstracts-On-Disk -XIII International AIDS Conference, South Africa (CD-ROM) Through A Blue Lens - (Video - NFB) The Long Walk - the story of Ken Ward (Video - NFB) IV Positive: An educational documentary about living positive (Video) Moments of Decision: HIV treatment in everyday life (Video) Social Work and HIV: The Canadian Experience HIV Testing and Pregnancy Injection Drug Use and HIV/AIDS - Legal and Ethical Issues Injection Drug Use and HIV/AIDS - Background Papers Project "No Fear": Native Youth and HIV - Train the Trainer Manual The Other Side of the Closet: Coming-out crisis for straight spouses and families A Practical Guide to Complementary Therapies for people living with HIV REACT-BELIEVE �Focus on Fundraising This time of year is very busy and packed full of Fundraising Events. Starting on Sunday, September 24 we are encouraging everyone to come out and “Do The Route” - The Red Ribbon Walk. We are also very excited and looking forward to kicking off our Second Annual Raffle at the Walk. The Home Entertainment Raffle includes 2 early bird prizes of $250.00 each which will be drawn on December 21, 2000 (just in time for Christmas!). First Prize will be a complete home entertainment system which includes a JVC 32” TV, Hi-Fi VCR, Receiver, 5-Disc CD Player, 5 speaker system and matching stands for the whole system. Second Prize will be a home computer system and third prize will be a Uniden 900mhz Cordless Phone. Tickets will be $2.00 each and the draw will be held on February 10, 2001 n conjunction the Diamonds in the Rough concert at the Lakehead University Outpost. In order to promote the Raffle and hopefully sell a lot of tickets, mall displays have been booked in all of the malls. If you are available to sit at the both for a couple of hours, please give Carri at ACT-B a call for dates, places and times. We have also set aside Saturday, November 25, 2000 as our Annual Tag Day. Tag Day raises approximately $1,500.00 annually and really helps to increase awareness in our community about HIV/AIDS and the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay, so if you are able to come out and volunteer, please put the date on your calendar and again, give Carri at ACT-B a call. OFFICE HOURS CHANGE The summer has come to a close and fall is about to descend. Before we know it snow will be in the air and once again the heat of summer will be a memory. So too will the summer hours at the ACT-B office. For those that read our last newsletter, the agency has been closing it's doors from noon to 1 PM. VOLUME 13,ISSUE 2 As of September 5, we are again open from 9:30-4:30! Beginning September 5th, the office will return to its regular operating hours and will be open to the public Monday to Friday from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM with no noon hour closing. �Support and Discussion Groups Northern Pride A support and education group for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, two-spirited and questioning youth. New participants are always welcome to a safe, confidential and fun setting. Sessions involve group discussion, videos, guest speakers, and social activities. Some of the issues that can In Touch be explored include: What does sexual orientation mean?, The coming out process, Surviving at school, Dating and meeting people, Healthy choices, Spirituality and sexuality, Dealing with family, Homophobia, Stigma, and Self-image. The group meets every second Tuesday at 7:00PM. For details, call David at 345-1516 or Barbara at 684-1887. 1-800-268-YOUTH A Discussion group for gay and bisexual Men A safe place to talk about issues of concern, and meet others in a safe, comfortable environment. Topics will be decided by the group participants. Sessions may include discussion, videos, guest speakers, and other elements. Meetings are held every second Thursday at 8:00 PM. Call David at 345-1516 for details. Other support groups For information about support groups Page 4 please contact Sheila, Support Services Coordinator @ ACT-B. REACT-BELIEVIi �The Extra Mile Here's what happeningin the comingmonths: ♦ AIDS Walk2000 Sunday September24 ♦ Well, it’s August and I am nearing the end of the ride. I do not want to spend much time blabbing away to you. Suffice it to say things are always happening in the volunteer department. There are some thank you’s I need to do before I get to the fun stuff: Thanks to all who signed up for the volunteer bingo baker’s team! Your gifts (and treats) are wonderous. (My scale does not appreciate the gesture though!) Hot dogsale at The bingo workers who slave away twice a month especially Marge, Sonya, Rob, James, Sandy, well...all of you and you know who you September29 & are! Safeway Volunteer receptionists who have been so Raffle displays in helpful over the summer particularly John, Rodney, Meaghanfso cute), Marilynne, Darlene, the mallsstarbng sandy (her again!?), Charissa and of course ♦ Octoberrunning Jen! Thanks guys! untilFebmary! 1 would love t0 thank each and everY volunteer in these newsletters but I keep running out of space. Please consider yourself truly thanked by me and all of us at ACT-B. At this moment I would like you to imagine me patting you on the back! Now, here’s what’s coming up! AIDS Walk 2000: DO THE ROUTE! (Do the route, do the route, do the route...) We are going to need approximately 80 volunteers this year so trust me, I’ll be calling you! We will be having a hot dog sale at Safeway (Court St) on Sunday September 29 & 30. Are you an expert barbecue person? One more thing, just a small thing really...the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay will be having another raffle! We will be in the malls almost every weekend until draw date on February 10. You know what this means don’t you? That’s right! The tables will be staffed by volunteers so please please please offer us the gift of your time when I call! Thanks, see you at the Walk! P.S. Rodney G. is leaving us to go to school in southern Ontario. We’ll miss you. Come back soon! H------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Survey Re: Summer Hours I Please give us your opinion, by phone, fax, mail or drop this questionnaire by our office. I j 1. DID YOU KNOW THAT THE AIDS COMMITTEE OFFICE WAS CLOSED j FOR LUNCH [12:00 NOON - 1:00} PM DURING JUNE. JULY AND AUGUST? I I Circle one answer. | YES I I 2 NO | HOW DID THESE HOURS AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO ACCESS OUR SERVICES? I I Please Explain: Thank you for your opinion. VOLUME 13.ISSUE 2 Page 5 �§ CALLING ALL 0 § © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © CANINES! /'Go Ahead Cindee, in her new walking harness and leash is ready to collect pledges for AIDS WALK 2000! She is challenging you to match or better the $200.00 she raised in 1999. AIDS Walk 2000 in support of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Sunday, September 24, 2000 Starting at 2:00pm from the Heritage Building on the C.L.E. Grounds. All money raised in Thunder Bay, stays in Thunder Bay. Prizes will be awarded for: The most money raised by a dog The Best Dressed Dog The Smallest Dog The Largest Dog $5®» P.S. Your human is also eligible for prizes if they register For more information, or to register call Jodi at 345-1516 AIDS WALK CANADA A PLEDGE IS THE FIRST STEP ©®©©©®®©©©®®®®©®©®©®®©®®®®©®©®©©®®©' ©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©© © ©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©@©©©©©©©©©© �TAKE OFF YOUR SOCKS FOR YOUR DOCS! -by Jeff Getty, Survive AIDS Writer’s Pool Ask any person with advanced HIV or AIDS about their feet and you will probably hear a litany of complaints ranging from ingrown nails to rampant warts, fungus, and neuropathy. Not only are HIV-positive people's feet immune-suppressed, they are also under increased strain because they are an extremity with less circulation, are trapped in stuffy shoes and contain thousands of nerve endings. Although feet have always been susceptible to toxicity and nerve damage, many primary care physicians' fail to look at patients' feet on a regular basis. Many patients also find it easy to ignore early foot problems, but some foot afflictions can become dangerous and can lead to serious and harmful conditions even among healthy populations—and can be magnified and overwhelming for HIV-positive patients and their doctors. Dr. Jon tinkle is a HIV specialist podiatrist who recently edited Clinics and Podiatric Surgery-HIV and the Lower Extremities, a text by W.B Saunders about HIV-positive foot complications and their remedies. He currently has a practice at Davis Hospital in San Francisco. Practicing in the heart of the AIDS epidemic, Tinkle has been in a unique position to see thousands of HIV-positive foot problems walk into his clinic over the years. A pleasant and unassuming individual, Tinkle says that he doesn't like to step on other people's toes, but many times primary care HIV doctors ignore their patient's foot problems until the situation becomes far too serious. Often, HIV and AIDS patients never even remove their socks for the physicals and routine follow-ups. HIV-related foot problems are widespread and are best treated when caught early. Although Tinkle never heard of any study done to measure this, he suspects that between 70 percent and 80 percent of both HIV and AIDS patients have foot problems that need attention, And as HIV disease progresses, foot ailments worsen as well. NEUROPATHY: the nerve! Few podiatrists specialize in HIV, let alone know how to treat the complications aggressively. Tinkle feels the education is the key to better foot health. To that end, he travels around the country lecturing other doctors in the field. One of the more important topics he addresses, and one of the more common foot problems he encounters, is neuropathy. The nerve pain in neuropathy can be caused by drugs, by secondary infections such as cytomegalovirus (CMV), or by the HIV infection itself. Tinkle says that people with the condition should first try to determine the cause of the pain, to see if a change in the medication is in order. The next step in to begin physical therapy, including massage and acupuncture. He is particularly fond of micro-current and its newer version called the "H-wave." Studies in New York have shown favourable results with Hwave treatment, which is something like electrical acupuncture, requiring about an hour a day. When treating the symptoms of neuropathy, Tinkle prefers not to add more drugs to treat the nerve pain—after all, it's drug toxicity that has caused the problems in the first place. He does recommend vitamin B, but said that he not seen many results from nerve growth factor as of yet. Lowering viral load does not seem to take neuropathy away from the feet. Higher stress levels, however do seem to increase it. No fun in fungus Another common foot problem is fungus. This tends to get worse as immunity is diminished. It is first seen in discolouration of the nail plate as thickening. Doctors treat this by first cutting down the nail and then adding a topical antifungal. Tinkle prefers Nixoral shampoo on fungus nails because it seems to penetrate much deeper. If fungus problems have grown serious, he also treats with Lamasil and Sporanox oral medications. (con’t on next page) �□ It’s Membership Time Again! □ ° □ ° ° □ ° n □ □ ° c □ ° □ □ Is your membership up-to-date? This year’s Annual General Meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, November 15, 2000. In order for you to vote at the meeting, your membership must be in good standing. Your application for membership has to be approved by the Board of Directors 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting. If you would like to become a member or renew your membership or, please fill out the attached form and mail or fax it back to: AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay P.0. Box 24025 P7A 8A9 Phone #: 345-1516Fax #: 345-2505 D □ ° □ ° D □ □ o ° □ a □ ____ Here is my donation , $20.00 , $50.00 □□□DOODGGGDGOGDG Call 625-5981 About Regular HIV Testing Call the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay 345-7233 About HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Call CATIE (Community AIDS Information Exchange) 1-800-263-1638 Treatment! 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. □ ° When calling, would you prefer us to use discretion? ° a Yes___ No ___ D a □ ° Membership Renewal: ____ $10.00 About Anonymous HIV Testing in Thunder Bay About Counselling or Referrals □ Address: ° New Member: Call 625-9767 345-7233 or 345-1516 Call the STD Clinics 625-5944 or 622-7585 □ Phone #: About AIDS or HIV Infection: Call the AIDS Hotline at 1-800-668-2437 Or The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Information Line 345-SAFE (7233) About The Needle Exchange: □ Name: D Postal Code: __________ For Information - ° , other GGDGOGDOGOGOGnn Please address any comments or concerns to: reACT-Believe P.O. Box 24025 RPO Downtown North Thunder Bay ON P7A 8A9 (807) 345-1516 Or, e-mail us at: actb@tbaytel.net Service bilingue disponible ALL CALLS CONFIDENTIAL The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay acknowledges and thanks our various funders: 0 Ontario Ministry of Health - AIDS Bureau 0 Health Promotion and Programs Branch, Ontario Region, Health Canada (ACAP) 0 All of the people involved in general fundraising and the support of many local businesses and individuals. 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 Network 1-800-263-1638 HIV/AIDS Treatment Information email: info@catie.ca catie internet: www.catie.ca Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange VOLUME 13.ISSUE 2 Page 10 � 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 13 Issue 2 - Fall 2000 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 2000 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/17/2698/2000_reACT-Believe_vol13no3_2.pdf 856e8098776bf1139956c6f07dd4576b PDF Text Text ****** * * * “ .IT-. RE-ACT BELIEVE Volume 13, Issue 3 The Newsletter of The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Winter2000-0i FXTRA FXTRA: This,Just (ia.! The volunteer and staff kuekuber who raised the kuost donations ■for ACT-T> at the watte Is our very own selly Pajakuatet/ who raised AIDS WALK CANADA 452S2.10! seLly raised the kuost kuoktey Ikv Okutarlo! For this she receives two tlcteets okt Air Canada anywhere In Continental North America -from the Canadian Aids Society courtesy o-f Canadian/Air Canada. (f that IskVt ekvough setty raised the kuost money In CANADA! selly you are Incredible! our second place winner was Mrs. tteleiA, Rose and third wekut to Karekt Rookvey! Thawte you for wortelkvg so hard to support the AIDS Committee o-f Thunder T>ay. * PlEDtt IS THE nPST STEP On hehaCf of the /AIDS Committee of'Thunder 'Bay I wouCcf hike to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Mappy Mew year/1 wish each of you haziness in the coming year. Once again, the National AIDS Awareness campaign begins with AIDS Awareness Week and World AIDS Day. A poster, postcards, and five fact sheets are available to address the issues in this campaign. The theme of Men and HIV/AIDS is tied to the World AIDS Campaign. Call us for more information. December 1 is also Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Day 2000. The theme for the day is Uniting Our Communities. This theme has been chosen to embody the direction that the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN) is moving in, strengthening its community ties and working together with its membership and partners in Aboriginal Communities across Canada. Please contact CAAN for more information at their web site (www.caan.ca) or call 613-567-1817. Inside this issue: AAW Campaign 2 Education Information 3 Taking Control of Your Health Let it Snow! The 'Editor National AIDS Awareness Campaign "Men make a difference" AIDS Awareness Week, November 27 - December 1 World AIDS Day and Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Day, December 1 4-5 Get Your Tickets Now 6 News from the Route 7 Bits ‘N Pieces 8 Information 9 Our Generous Supporters 10 �roll AIDS fluiorene// Campaign Men Make a Difference is the title of the first year of a two-year campaign focusing on the role of men in the AIDS epidemic. The new Campaign aims to involve men more fully in the effort against AIDS and to bring about a much-needed focus on men in national responses to the epidemic. In 2000, the Campaign has three broad goals. The first is to raise awareness of the relationship between men’s behaviour and HIV. The second is to encourage men and adolescent boys to make a strong commitment to preventing the spread of HIV and caring for those affected. And the third goal is to promote programmes that respond to the needs of both men and women. All over the world, women find themselves at special risk of HIV infection because of their lack of power to determine where, when and how sex takes place. What is less recognized, however, is that the cultural beliefs and expectations that make this the case also heighten men's own vulnerability. HIV infections and AIDS deaths in men outnumber those in women on every continent except sub-Saharan Africa. Young men are more at risk than older ones: about one in four people with HIV is a young man under the age of 25. Part of the effort to curb the AIDS epidemic must include challenging harmful concepts of masculinity and changing many commonly-held attitudes and behaviours, including the way men view risk and how boys are socialized to become men. Broadly speaking, men are expected to be physically strong, emotionally robust, daring and virile. Some of these expectations translate into ways of thinking and behaving that endanger the health and well-being of men and their sex partners. Other behaviours and attitudes, on the contrary, represent valuable potential that can be tapped by AIDS programs. Focusing the Campaign on men also acknowledges the fact that men are often less likely to seek health care than women. Except in a handful of countries, men have a lower life expectancy at birth and higher death rates during adulthood than women. But boys Page 2 who are brought up to believe that "real men don't get sick" often see themselves as invulnerable to illness or risk. This is reflected in the under-use of health services by men. Greater attention must be given to the health needs of men, including those living with HIV and AIDS. There are sound reasons why men should become more fully involved in the fight against AIDS. All over the world, men tend to have more sex partners than women, including more extramarital partners, thereby increasing their own and their primary partners' risk of contracting HIV. More men than women inject drugs and are therefore more likely to infect themselves and others through the use of unsterilized equipment. And many men who have sex with other men do not know how to protect themselves or their partners. Secrecy, stigma and shame surrounding HIV compound the effects of all these risk behaviours. The stigma surrounding HIV may prevent many men and women from acknowledging that they have become infected. A number of special circumstances place men at particularly high risk of contracting HIV. Men, who migrate for work and live away from their families may pay for sex and use substances, including alcohol, as a way to cope with the stress and loneliness of living far from home. Men in ail-male environments such as the military may be strongly influenced by a culture that reinforces risk-taking including unsafe sex. And in some all-male institutions such as prisons, men who normally prefer women as sex partners may have unsafe sex with other men. Male violence further drives the spread of HIV through wars and the migration they cause, as well as through forced sex. Millions of men a year are sexually violent towards women, girls, and other men sometimes in their own family or household. Worldwide, a recent report states that at least one woman in three has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime. Volume 13, issue 3 �At the same time, a balance needs to be struck between recognizing how men's behaviour contributes to the epidemic and recognizing their potential to make a difference. As politicians, as front-line workers, as fathers, as sons, as brothers and friends, men have much to give. Men need to be encouraged to adopt positive behaviours, and to play a much greater part in caring for their partners and families. Studies worldwide show that men generally participate less than women in caring for their children. In terms of the AIDS epidemic, which has left over 13 million children orphaned, there is an urgency for both men and women to provide the love and practical needs such as food, housing, clothing and education for children who have lost their parents. All this does not mean an end to prevention programmes for women and girls. Rather, the Campaign aims to complement such programmes. Work that enhances gender awareness and sensitivity should focus on the needs of both sexes. The Campaign is designed to provide material for national and local organizations to create their own campaign based on Men Make a Difference but responding to local priorities. ACT-B to Advertise on the Big Screen!! You've all probably sat through those obnoxious ads at the movie theatre while waiting for the film to 1 start. Weil, starting on November 30, 2000, ACT-B will have two ads running at Famous Players Silver City Theatre as part of the annual Injection Drug Use Outreach Advertising Campaign. This campaign has ;two goals: to raise public awareness and to target substance users directly. The idea was dreamed up by David Belrose while sitting in the theatre trying to ignore the ads flashing on the screen. David suddenly had the brainstorm realization that our bus ads are the same dimensions as the ads on the movie screen. iThus was hatched a truly inspired idea. A captive audience and a really big screen. Hopefully this ‘campaign will get some attention and raise some awareness at the same time. Thanks to David... an idea we all wish we had been the mother (or father) of!! Two ads will be running on all twelve screens at Silver City from November 30, 2000 to January 4, 2001. The "Party Animal" and "Bedroom Eyes" posters were selected to be shown at Silver City as they address the issues of HIV, Sex and Substance Use. So look for our ads, and let us know what you think, when you head out to see a movie over the holiday season. i ' Janet Northern Pride A support and education group for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, two-spirited and questioning youth. New participants are always welcome to a safe, confidential and fun setting. Sessions involve group discussion, videos, guest speakers, and social activities. Some of the issues that can be explored include: What does sexual orientation mean?, Re-act believe The coming out process, Surviving at school, Dating and meeting people. Healthy choices, Spirituality and sexuality, Dealing with family, Homophobia, stigma, and selfimage. The group meets every second Tuesday at 7:00PM. For details, call David at 345-1516 or Barbara at 684-1887. Page 3 �iTflteliA,g c,ovttrol of your health with covu'plziAA.tviturij therapies Highlights of fliA,dlwgs from the flrstphase of oate Tree clime research Article Authored by TAm.ll k.end All in the September / October 2000 edition of Living + Com.plem.etA.tAry therAples Are An ImportAnt pArt of heAlthcAre for rnAny PWAs. ReseArch In British Colum-blA from, the lAte 'j?£>s puts complementAru therApy use amonc) different populAtlons of PWAs At 3j)-4£^o. yet mAny Individuals do iA«ot tell their primary cAre physlclAn or other heAlthcAre providers whAt com.plem.eiA.tAry therAples they Are usln0. This lActe of communication mAy prevent PWAs from, fully benefiting from their com.plemeiA.tAry therAples, And could expose them to heAlth rlstes, such as herb7 drug InterActlon. BCPWA, with fi.iA.AiA.clAl support from HeAlth CAmAdA, Is conducting reseAv ch with PWAs aia,d cowveiA.tloiA.AL heAlthcAre providers such as doctors And phArmAclsts. The Aim of the reseArch Is to find About the rlstes And benefits of complem.etA.tAry therAples. And how these opinions contribute to communlcAtlon. The first phAse of the research conducted Amon0 HIV+ women And heAlthcAre providers At oa\< Tree, A multldlsclpllnAry HIV clinic In Vancouver for women And their fAmllles. we focused on women becAuse corn-pared to men, little Is fenown About women’s use of complementary therAples In Hlv care. These results Are bAsed on comprehensive Interviews with five heAlthcAre providers And focus 0roups of thirteen HIV + women. The heAlthcAre providers And PWAs we spotee with agreed thAt one of the bl00est benefits of complementAry therAples Is empowerment. Choosln0 And usln0 complementAry therAples cAn help people tAfee more control of their heAlth, feel better. And live better. PWAs And providers At this clinic reported success with manaalnq symptoms And side effects. There was Also A0reement on the vAlue of the complementary therAples for heAlth mAlntenAnce, And how the mind, body And spirit connection Is ImportAnt for well-beln0. HeAlthcAre providers SAld then hAd not seen Any complementary therAples thAt directly lower vlrAl loAd of IncreAse CD4 counts, yet, Amon0 the HIV + women pArtlclpAtln0 In the study, y-i'jf reported usln0 these therAples to lower viral LoAd And 5y-°f to prevent Infections. Trying to be eAsy on the liver, whether becAuse of hepAtltls or dru0 relAted toxicity or both. Is Another reason people Are choosln0 complementary therAples. in mAny cases, this choice maizes a lot of sense. However, the liver processes herbs And vltAmlns, And some cAn be toxic to the liver. The IdeA thAt 'nAturAl" Is SAfe WAS common Amon0 the women.. Therefore, PWAs And heAlthcAre providers need to be AwAre of the power And potentlAl rlstes of complementary therAples. if a therApy hAs the power to heAl, It may Also b.Ave the power to hArm. C-ost And information 0Aps Are reasons PWAs mAy not be 0ettln0 the most out of their complementary therAples. Cost restricts access. For some women, "Anything thAt costs money Is out of the question." For others, costs meAn chocsln0 between And rotAtln0 the therAples used. ’One month It will be creAtlne. Another month It will be no mA0neslum, * one women sAld. women Also reported llmltln0 the food they eAt to buy complementary therAples, And not beln0 Able to afford therapeutic food choices, such as sugAr-free diet or juice therApy. Page 4 Volume 13, Issue 3 �Are you or someone you know interested in sitting on a very dynamic committee? \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ s S s s S If you are, I would like to encourage you to join ACT-B’s ^Fundraising Committee. We are currently looking for S energetic, enthusiastic people to join our team. Meetings ^ are held on a monthly basis. The Committee works with S the Fundraising Coordinator and the Executive Director in ^developing the annual fundraising plan and goals. For ^more information, please give Jodi a call at 345-1516. S �Womb's inability to go to complementary practitioners was Another example of how money limits access to Information. c>nly_9^o of the women sAld complementAry petitioners were a major source of Information About complementAry therApt.es, whereAs £>4^6 reported heAlth food stores as a mAjorsource of LiAform.Att.oiA,. tteAlth food stores may hAve knowledgeAble stAff, but they may a Iso subject pwas to storm, of guestlonAble marketing. seventy -three percent SAld populAr media- tv, radio, and newspApers- were a major source of lwform.Ati.oiA, on complementary therAples. This Info may be flAwed, a And Is usuAlly not Hiv specific. Hiv + wovntn Identified lAck of knowledge, both their own And thAt of the heAlthcAre providers, as a bArrlerto com.rn.unlcAtlng About complementary therAples And mAklng Informed treAtment decisions,. LAck of good Information Is relAted to lAck of resources. Research funding, or rAther the lAck of It, Is a major reason for knowledge gAps About complementary therAples. Healthcare providers and pwAs At OAk Tree sAld they wAnt more scientific research on the sAfety And efficacy of natural products. They Also WAnt more reseArch on Interactions between conventlonAl And natural medicines. The good news Is all of the women said the IocaI aids organization was a major source of Information on complementary therAples. HeAlthcAre providers At OAk Tree Clinic Also rAted very high, with upwards to 20°(o Identifying the doctors, pharmacist, nurses And dletlclAns At OAk Tree as Important Information sources. open communication between PWAs And conventlonAl healthcare providers cAn rn.Axlm.lze the benefits And rn.lnlm.lze the risks of complementary therAples. An example of maximizing benefit was the dletlclAn’s tips to streamline vitamin therApy, cutting down on cost And pill burden but Including everything the wom.An wAnted. When HIV + women made a hAblt to tAlk to their physlclAn or pharmacist before stArtlng herbs, supplements, or vitamins, the risks of Interactions were minimized. This reseArch suggests conventlonAl heAlthcAre providers need to InltlAte the discussion of complementary therAples. PAst experiences and stereotypes caused the Hiv + women we Interviewed to expect conventlonAl heAlthcAre providers to be opposed to complementary therAples, so they did not rAlse the topic, so... • stArt tAlklng. open communication between pwas And heAlthcAre providers Is beneficial. • increAse knowledge. More educAtlon About complementary therAples And more reseArch Is needed. • Conquer cost. In short term, AIDS WAlk dollars go to the Complementary HeAlth Fund And Into the pockets of PWAs, so partlclpAte Actively And give generously. In the longer term., we need more funding for IntegrAtlve cAre. Tamil HSendAll Is Coordinator of the Complementary Alternative Medicines Project for the BCPWA Treatment Information Program. Reprinted from. Living + Magazine, vol. £ sept/oct. 2.000. A publlcAtlon of the P>C Persons with aids society, www.bcpwa.com. Re-act believe Page 5 �The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Home Entertainment Raffle Tickets are only $2.00 each. All the money raised from this Raffle stays in Thunder Bay to support programs for people infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. 1st Prize - a complete home entertainment centre including a 32" JVC TV, VCR, CD Player, Receiver, 6 Paradigm Plus two early bird draws of $250.00 each to be held on December 21,2000. Just in time for Christmas Speakers and cabinets to make it complete. Valued at approx. $4,000.00 Grand Prize Draw to take place Saturday, February 10,2001 at tbe Outpost at the Lakehead University benefit concert for ACT-B by in the Rough 2nd Prize — A Home Computer System. Valued at approx. 52,100.00 3rd Prize - Uniden Cordless Phone. Valued at approx. S350.00 For more information or tickets, please call the AIDS Committee at 345-1516 Generously Supported by the Power Centre �Thank You! Vo- the/ ’Routes—The- Reds R Cbbons Walks AIVS Walks2000 The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay would like to thank all of the Walkers (including dogs), volunteers and sponsors for making this year’s Walk such a huge success. Over $25, OOO. OO was raised by over200 IVa/kers. All of this money raised stays in Thunder Bay to support programs forpeople infected or affectedby HiV/AiDS. Walk Sponsors: WEST JET AIRLINES Downtown Volkswagen Bowater Grand Portage Lodge and Casino Janzen’s Pharmacy �A1EXS (Z-omm|ttee of Thunder 2000 (Charitable [Conations $100.00-$249.00 Cross, Marge Davis, Dr. Geoff Ferenczy, John Foldy, Elizabeth Fricot, Mandy Hilton, Janice Holmes, Hugh Houston, Daniel Kennelly, Pat Korhonen, Lawrence Korteweg, Janice Kruzik, Betty Matijek, Sonya Matyuska, Lee Parr, Lynn Prinselaar, Ed Pulo, Greg Reszitnyk, Mark Richardson, April Roberts, David Rose, Helen and Reg Schaefer, Ursala Swerda, Darren Triskle, Carl Veltri, Mary Watkins, Charlotte Williams, C.D. Williams, Dave ACE Music Services Inc. Canadian Union of Postal Workers Cook Engineering Keating Insulation Lakehead District School Board Norway Timber Ontario Power Generation Company Sears Employees Charitable Fund Superior Trailers Wal Mart Canada $250.00 - $499.00 Amos, Martin Gustafson, Eric Morrison, William and Bonnie Rooney, Karen Shepherd, Robert Vezeau, Fern Bay Credit Union Bell Canada Bowater GAP Inc. Grand Portage Lodge and Casino Janzen’s Pharmacy $500.00 - $999.00 Pruys, Joe Ryan, Max Sobota, Michael Bombardier Employees 4C Fund Molson Companies Donation Fund United Way of Thunder Bay $1,000.00 -$2,499.00 Dr. Greg Gamble Thunder Bay Foundation Over $2,500.00 John Andrew’s Foundation MAC AIDS Fund Rotary Club of Thunder Bay (Fort William) Thank-you for your g^n^rous support � 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 13 Issue 3 - Winter 2000/2001 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 2000 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/17/2699/2001_reACT-Believe_vol14no1.pdf 3b21dafbd961e8d2f9809dffa6f203b9 PDF Text Text I t ’ s t h a t t i m e a g a i n ! G e t y o u r s h o e s l a c e d u p a n d i f y o u ‘ d l i k e , g e t a t e a m t o g e t h e r f o r t h i s y e a r ’ s A I D S W a l k ! S u n d a y , S e p t e m b e r 2 4 , 2 0 0 0 . re-ACT Believe Volume 14, Issue 1 Spring 2001 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: A Letter from the Executive Director Fundraising News 2 AIDS Walk 2001 Do the Route—the Red Ribbon Route 3 Education Update 4 Health Promotion insert The Extra Mile—An Update from the Volunteer Dept. 5 News from the Support Services Department 6 Here and There 7 Parting Glance 8 300 bingos—that’s incredible!!! Thank you very much for all your years of volunteering, Michael. Thank you also to all our other bingo volunteers. We couldn’t do it without you! I have been back in my seat as Executive Director at ACT-B since the beginning of April. My re-entry to this heavy responsibility has been relatively smooth. I credit this to the fine and professional work of our board, to the staff of ACT-B, and in particular to the mature and hard-working leadership of Lawrence Korhonen, who sat in this seat and shouldered the burdens and challenges and rewards of being an Executive Director. I am grateful to you all. But what I really want to talk about is something I have been doing for close to 15 years. It is something I do as a volunteer. It immerses me in an unhealthy atmosphere. I don’t do it alone; indeed the activity depends on group involvement. What is this activity? Sometime in June or July, I will celebrate having worked my 300th bingo for ACT-B! It has taken more than a decade to reach this milestone because, in the early years of our bingo involvement, ACT-B only hosted one per month. And, though they accumulated over time, I wasn’t able to attend every one. So, I can’t pin down my exact anniversary, but it probably will occur in either June or July 2001. Over the passage of 300 bingos, there are many, many stories to tell. I celebrate some of them here, in honour of the Year of the Volunteer, as well as my fellow bingo volunteers who have toiled in those smoke-filled denizens of gambling for the betterment of our cause. Bingo is both a community and an individual activity simultaneously. The atmosphere inside a bingo hall has its own colours, its own culture. Veteran players are greeted with smiles and recognition. Newcomers want to know if we have “random” or “perfect” game cards. I always thought the cards were all imperfect. On the floor, at times the atmosphere resembles last call in a busy bar. Hands are up all over the room, signaling they want to buy something. Workers are selling and moving fast (well, some workers move fast!) to get to the next needy set of hands. All of the room is immersed in noise: friendly conversation, sales requests, and laughter. The hall is also immersed in smoke. My guess is that bingo halls are one of the few remaining unrestricted refuges for nicotine bingeing. A couple of hours after the start of the games, you don’t need to light up—just inhale the room! At a recent bingo, this was augmented by one of our workers who was emptying ashtrays directly into waste barrels. The waste barrels are, of course, filled with the pages of completed and discarded games—a perfect kindling bin waiting for ignition. As our worker moved down an aisle, smoke started to rise from one of the barrels! To be fair, our hall—the Diamond—has a separate enclosed smoke-free room, where players can breath regular oxygen. This room is never full—though it frequently has many winners. Winning is not what it’s all about. Most players will go home losers (as is the case participating in any form of gambling). The prospect of winning is the attraction, plus the familiarity of the hall and the camaraderie of your companions. Why have I chosen to be part of this culture? Generally, the people who spend these hours together are having a good time. It is genuinely nice to be around happy people. The revenues that ACT-B earns from hosting bingos is critical to our annual fundraising efforts— raising more than our annual walk or any other special event. I also want to do this so that I don’t feel above it. I can comment and criticize the adventure because I’ve earned the right to do so; I’m in it. I salute our hardy band of regular bingo volunteers—they mean a great deal to ACT-B. And finally, in my life experience, this is the only place I ever see $100 bills! �Fundraising News From Crystal Porteous, Fundraising Coordinator This is a warm hello to everyone I have met and to those I will meet along the fundraising path. I joined the ranks of the friendly staff and volunteers at ACT-B in April as the new Fundraising Coordinator. It has been just over two months and already things are starting to roll. As many of you may be aware, our local AIDS Walk, DO THE ROUTE: THE RED RIBBON WALK is quickly approaching on Sunday, September 23. Planning for this event has kept me very busy! I am very excited to announce that the Walk location is returning to The Outpost at Lakehead University, but a new, more visible route will be chosen! Many people are more familiar with me as Magnus Theatre’s Publicist. I was with the company for three and a half years up until last year when I was the Volunteer Coordinator/ Gift Shop Manager of the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. Now, I am changing hats and ready to plunge into the world of fundraising. There will be many fun and exciting events over the next year. I hope to meet you at one or all of them. If you have any questions about the up-coming Walk, please feel free to call me. If you happen to be in the agency, pop in my office and say hello! WANTED Your clean, reusable, re-sellable ale S d Yar m s Ite ATTENTION VOLUNTEERS ACT-B is having a Fundraising Yard Sale. Your donated household or other items can help us raise funds for our programs and services. Donations will be accepted until July 10th. Please call Crystal at 345-1516 to arrange for drop off or pick up of items. We appreciate the items that you are able to donate but reserve the right to not accept items we feel will not sell. The yard sale will take place on July 14 at St. John’s Anglican Church, 228 Pearl St. beside the casino. -2- We will be looking for people to help with the Yard Sale. If you are available and would like to work at the Yard Sale, please call Selly at 345-1516. We will also be asking people to donate baking so that we can have a bake sale at the same time. Any type of cookies, muffins, cakes, or other baked goods would be appreciated. You can drop them off at the ACT-B office on July 13, the day before the yard sale. Call Selly and let her know if you can bake for us. �Gather friends & form a team for the... Do the Route The Red Ribbon Walk Sunday, September 23, 2001 at The Outpost (Lakehead University Campus) Lace up those shoes!! Every year the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay (ACT-B) takes part in the AIDS WALK CANADA by hosting a local walk. Last year our walk raised $22,000 all of which stayed in Thunder Bay to provide for the programs and services of ACT-B. Hot from the press, a pledge form can be mailed to you!! To register or inquire about the walk call Crystal at 345-1516 ! Back! s ’ e h S Cindi challenged all canines last year & she is doing it again! Put that leash in your owners hand and join the walk!! BE TWO STEPS AHEAD & YOU COULD WIN!!! Start collecting pledges early. There are many prizes and incentives for those who collect the most pledges . Don’t forget about our CANINE CHALLENGE. Prizes are also awarded to the dog that raises the most pledges, is the best dressed, the biggest and the smallest. A project of the Canadian AIDS Society in partnership with community AIDS organizations across Canada. Local Sponsors to Date: Janzen’s Pharmacy, The Royal Bank, Grand Portage Lodge & Casino, The Investors Group �EDUCATION UPDATE By David Belrose, Education Coordinator Community Based Research and the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay The Image Project Program Evaluation & Revitalized Social Marketing Campaign The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay is currently in the midst of a major community-based research project. The Image Project is designed to assess our position in the community, and use the results to enhance our community profile, develop more effective social marketing campaigns, renew our prevention programming, and encourage support for people living with, or affected by, HIV or AIDS. The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay was first established in January 1986. The face of HIV/ AIDS has changed dramatically since then, and with it the programs of the organization. It was decided by the agency that a review was needed that would include: an evaluation of the agency’s programs and services, strengthening of community partnerships and an understanding and reshaping of community perceptions of the agency’s programs and services. It was expected that an end product would be a social marketing campaign to deliver revitalized messages into the community that are clear and accurate. The main components of the project are surveys, one outreach survey targeting potentially atrisk populations, one random telephone survey of Thunder Bay residents, and a client feedback survey. At this point in time, the outreach survey has been completed and data entered, the telephone survey is underway, and the client survey remains to be done. This project has been an important step for the agency in community-based research. Involved in the project are the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay, Community Linked Evaluation AIDS Resources (CLEAR) - MacMaster University, MacEachern Marketing, Lakehead University Social Work department, and PUSH Northwest. Look for developments as the project proceeds. NEWSLETTER MAILING LIST In order to take advantage of technology, and also in order to reduce our costs, we are looking at providing our newsletter in electronic format for those who wish to receive it that way. If you are interested, send us an e-mail at: actb@tbaytel.net With Subject line: Newsletter Mailing List We will notify you by e-mail when the next newsletter is produced. This e-mail list will be used only to send you information about the newsletter, or other information about ACT-B. The information is confidential and will not be provided to outside parties. -4- �Health Promotion By Charlene Burford, Health Promoter There are constant updates and new findings in the area of HIV and health. Studies, proposals, suggestions and general information can be found in the library at ACT-B or on the Internet. I will include more HIV specific information in the upcoming articles. Please note that what is presented here does not necessarily reflect ACT-B's opinion or philosophy, rather, I am passing on information so people may become more informed about the happenings in medical, alternative health, research and ethical areas of HIV. In the past month, I have read a multitude of articles. Perhaps people will find the following write-up interesting. It was taken from "Treatment Update #114" produced by the Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (catie), their internet address is: http://www.catie.ca Treatment Update 114 - Some women may be at high risk for anal cancer Hosein SR, 2001 Winter, Volume 12 Issue 10 Although cases of anal cancer are increasing in both men and women in the U.S., anal cancer is twice as common in women than in men, according to researchers in that country. Researchers in San Francisco conducted a study among women with HIV and women who were at high risk for HIV infection to find out about their risk of anal cancer. Study Details The profile of women in this study was as follows: • average age - 40 years • 251 women were HIV positive • 68 were HIV negative In addition to all the usual tests, women in this study also had cells from their anus removed for analysis. Testing to detect human papillomavirus (HPV) - the cause of cervical and some anal cancers - was done with PCR . To measure the amount of HPV, technicians used another test called a "hybrid capture" assay. Results Technicians analysing cell samples found the following: • 75% of HIV positive women had HPV infection • 42% of HIV negative women had HPV infection Although there are many types of HPV, some types such as HPV 16 are highly associated with the development of cervical and anal cancers. Among HIV positive women, the most commonly detected type was HPV 16, found in 15% of the women. As many as 35% of the women had HPV of an "unknown" type. Anal HPV infection The researchers found that the following factors were involved with the detection of HPV in samples of anal cells: • fewer than 200 CD4+ cells • HPV infection of the cervix �Health Promotion (continued) Anal vs. cervical samples Among HIV positive women who had samples taken from both their cervix and anus, technicians found the following: • 75% of the women had anal HPV • 53% of the women had cervical HPV Among HIV negative women the results were as follows: • 43% of the women had anal HPV • 24% of the women had cervical HPV In general, technicians found different types of HPV in the cervix compared to samples from the anus. The findings from this relatively large study confirm those from two relatively smaller studies - that anal HPV infection is common in women at high risk for or who have HIV infection. High levels of HPV were found in women who were HIV positive and who also had low CD4+ cell counts. Women with anal HPV were also likely to have abnormal and precancerous cells in the anus. Researchers could not measure the impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on their ability to detect HPV. Further work on anal HPV in women needs to be conducted. Since the women in this study largely denied having anal sex, the researchers are not sure how HPV entered their anus. The results from this study suggest that HIV positive women may benefit from regular anal Pap smears, but this needs to be confirmed in studies. REFERENCES: 1. Olofinlade O, Adeonigbagbe O, Gualtieri N, et al. Anal carcinoma: a 15-year retrospective analysis. Scandanavian Journal of Gastroenterology 2000 35(11):1194-1199. 2. Human papillomavirus-associated cancers in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 2000;92(18):1500-1510. 3. Palefsky JM, Holly EA, Ralston ML, et al. Prevalence and Risk Factors for Anal Human Papillomavirus Infection in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Positive and High-Risk HIV-Negative Women. Journal of Infectious Diseases 2001;183(3):383-39. This information was provided by the Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE). For more information, contact CATIE at 1-800-263-1638, or visit the web site at www.catie.ca. Tid Bits: The government chose to spell "marihuana" with an "H" rather than with a "J" in their "Marihuana Medical Access Regulations" Impact Analysis Statement. The Criminal Code of Canada spells it as "marijuana". Hmmm, interesting. Do you keep your doctor informed about supplements and/or vitamins you are taking? What about keeping a log or journal to track the changes in your day to day feeling of health (emotional, mental, physical) re: new medication or supplements? �The Extra Mile Goodbye Carri, Welcome Back Selly Here’s what happening in the coming months: ♦ Yard Sale/Bake Sale/Hot Dog Sale Saturday, July 14, 2001 ♦ Summer Tag Day Saturday, Aug 25 Carri Whidden completed her contract position as Volunteer Coordinator here at ACT-B on March 31. We thank her for a job well done-she will be missed. But, she has told us she will still be volunteering with us and that was great news to receive. I, Selly Pajamaki, returned to my position as Volunteer Coordinator on April 1. It’s good to be back. The 22 months as Administration Coordinator were busy, busy, busy and I learned a lot. I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to use my accounting training and experience. Thank you Michael and Lawrence for having the faith in my abilities and giving me the chance to live up to it. Also, many thanks to Lawrence for all his help while I was in his former position. I could never have done it without his help. ♦ AIDS Walk 2001 ♦ Sunday, Sept 23 It has been a busy time since I returned to Winter Tag Days being Volunteer Coordinator. The annual Volunteer Appreciation Event was held on May 24. Many of our volunteers came out and Sunday, Nov 17 & enjoyed a light meal and some entertainment. The 2001 Volunteer of the Year is Helen Rose. See page 7 for more information on the 18, 2001 event. This newsletter is also my responsibility and I apologize for it being a little later than usual. I am planning orientation and training sessions and will be calling you soon about these activities. Regular Volunteer Receptionist meetings will be taking place on a quarterly basis. Saturday & Now, here’s what’s coming up! On Saturday, July 14, we are having a Yard Sale combined with a bake sale and hot dog sale. We will need from 6-10 volunteers to work at tables. If you’d like to help, call me (Selly) at 345-1516. This event will be held at St. John’s Anglican Church, in the basement, so we won’t have to worry about canceling due to bad weather. If you have any items you would like to donate to the yard sale, or if you can donate some baking, we would really appreciate it. Again, just call Selly. On Saturday, August 25 we will be having our first summer Tag Day. We hope to have 9 locations (7 are already booked) and will have three two hour shifts at each location that day. We will need about 54 volunteers, so I’m hoping many of you will be able to give us a couple of hours on the 25. If you’d like to work one or even two shifts at Tag Day, please call me at 345-1516. I will be calling volunteers soon about this, but it would help me out if you could call me first. Thanks! AIDS Walk 2001: DO THE ROUTE! The Red Ribbon Route. (Do the route, do the route, do the route…) We are going to need approximately 80 volunteers this year so I’ll be calling all of you! The Walk takes place on Sunday, September 23. We are returning to the Outpost at Lakehead University, but will be walking on the streets rather than the bike paths. Again, please call and let me know if you’d like to volunteer at the Walk. You can register now if you would like to take part as a walker—you can walk and also volunteer. There are some volunteer positions that take place before and after the actual Walk, so it is possible to get out there and walk your feet off to raise money for this important cause as well as volunteering. Call me for information on Volunteer positions for the Walk. If you have family members or friends who would be interested in volunteering too, let me know. We have all kinds of jobs that need doing. We will be having our regular winter Tag Day on Saturday and Sunday, November 17 and 18. Because we are having shifts on both days, we will need even more volunteers than for the summer Tag Day. I will be calling people in September about this, so please think about it. Watch future issues of this newsletter for more volunteering opportunities. �News from Support Services EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT! NEW SUPPORT WORKER/HEALTH PROMOTER AT ACT-B MOTHER’S CUPBOARD Mother’s Cupboard is looking for new ways to generate donations. We will try setting up a food donation box at ACT-B special events and see how this works. Anyone wishing to donate items, they can be dropped off at the office (217 S. Algoma St.-at the corner of Algoma and Cornwall streets). We are in need of canned meats, peanut butter, jam, stews, juice crystals (e. g. Tang) and canned or powdered milk. Call if you have any suggestions or questions and ask for Charlene. The following is a message from the new worker. Hi! Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Charlene Burford and I am the new Health Promoter and Support Worker at the AIDS Committee. I have been in the position since April 11. A bit about myself: I am a graduate of Lakehead University with a Social Work degree. I’ve volunteered at ACT-B and sat on the Board of Directors. I also volunteered with Superior Points Needle Exchange and I have a history of eight years of working with young offenders. On a personal level, I believe in maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle (this coming from a smoker and coffee drinker!). Seriously, I’ve had an interest in and accessed various forms of alternative health in conjunction with western medical assistance. I am straight-forward (which can lead to problems at times) and I am open to suggestions and learning. I am currently working on a pet project at home— suffice to say if you see me drive by, you won’t miss “The Lamborgini”… INFORMATION SESSION On May 10, ACT-B hosted an introduction to Advanced Health Care Directive — Living Wills for clients and staff. Lawyer Jocelyn Huculak presented information during the 1.5 hour session. ACT-B plans to have a follow-up workshop for clients to thoroughly go over the forms and complete the paperwork. IN RECOGNITION We would like to thank Lisa Kachkowski for volunteering her time and expertise Tuesday mornings. She provides interested clients with Healing Touch using the Cranial Sacral technique. COMMUNITY GARDEN County Fair Community Garden has given ACT-B a plot of land to grow fresh vegetables to help stock Mother’s Cupboard. We’re looking for volunteers to work the land, plant and maintain the garden throughout the summer. If you have a green thumb or just want to get into gardening, please call Charlene at 3451516. Editor’s note: Be sure and say hello to Charlene if you happen to be in the agency office and welcome her to our ‘family’. We’re glad to have you aboard, Charlene. -6- �Here and There . . . For Information - Thank You Volunteers!!! About AIDS or HIV Infection: Call the AIDS Hotline at 1-800-668-2437 Or The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Information Line 345-SAFE (7233) About The Needle Exchange: Call 625-9767 345-7233 or 345-1516 About Anonymous HIV Testing in Thunder Bay Call 625-5981 About Regular HIV Testing Call the STD Clinics 625-5944 or 622-7585 About Counselling or Referrals Call the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay 345-7233 About HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Call Catie (Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange) 1-800-263-1638 ACT-B recently held our annual Volunteer Appreciation Event. In this, the United Nations International Year of Volunteers, we were very happy to invite our volunteers to a special evening with a meal and entertainment. ACT-B had 174 registered volunteers in the year 2000. Certificates and gifts were given to everyone who worked anywhere from 2 to over 200 hours. In total, our volunteers gave us 6,190 hours of their time. We truly appreciate this generous gift. Special mentions went to our volunteer receptionists, drivers and bakers. Two of our volunteers will be honoured at the upcoming “Salute to Volunteers”. They are Darlene Miller and Ruth Racic. They will receive special certificates at a ceremony at Old Fort William in June. The crowning event of the evening was the naming of the ACT-B 2001 Volunteer of the Year. This special person has put in many hours for the AIDS Committee. She is a regular receptionist; helps out in fundraising by working Tag Day, selling raffle tickets, and organizing teams for the AIDS Walk; does telephone surveys,; sits at information tables; and also bakes for our bingo volunteers regularly. She has a great sense of humour and is a lot of fun to be around. She is also committed to the fight against HIV/ AIDS. The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay is proud to name as the 2001 Volunteer of the Year—Helen Rose. Helen’s name has been entered onto our “Volunteers Extraordinaire” plaque that hangs in the reception area. Service bilingue disponible 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 Network 1-800-263-1638 HIV/AIDS Treatment Information email: info@catie.ca catie internet: www.catie.ca Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange UPCOMING EVENTS Saturday, July 14—Yard Sale, St. John’s Anglican Church, 228 Pearl St. Sunday, September 23—AIDS Walk 2001—Do the Route, the Red Ribbon Route, The Outpost, Lakehead University October 24-25—Opening Doors Counselling Conference, Victoria Inn, 555 Arthur St. West For more information on any of these events, call the AIDS Committee at 345-1516 -7- �Parting Glance 2001 Opening More Doors Counseling Conference The 10th Annual NW Ontario Regional HIV/AIDS Counseling Conference will take place on October 24 and 25 at the Victoria Inn in Thunder Bay. To order your registration package, contact the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay. The registration deadline is September 20. This annual conference focuses on counseling issues relating to HIV/AIDS. The AIDS Committee welcomes health care workers, counselors, clergy, people living with HIV/AIDS (PHAs), and their family and friends to attend. This event is funded by the Ministry of Health—AIDS Bureau. For more information, please contact: Joanne Books, Conference Coordinator at 807-346-9388 or 807-345-1516. 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. The opinions and medical information offered by “êÉ^`q J _ÉäáÉîÉ” 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: êÉ^`q J_ÉäáÉîÉ P.O. Box 24025 RPO Downtown North Or, e-mail us at: actb@tbaytel.net Visit us on the internet at: www.tbaytel.net/actb vÉë>==f=ï~åí=íç=ÄÉÅçãÉ=~=ãÉãÄÉê=çÑ=^`qJ_>==f=âåçï=íÜ~í=ãó= ÅçåíêáÄìíáçå=ïáää=êÉ~ääó=Åçìåí>==eÉêÉ=áë=ãó=Ççå~íáçå= ANMKMM|||I=AOMKMM|||I=ARMKMM|||I=çíÜÉê=|||= === Name: ____________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________ City, Province & P.C: _______________________________ Telephone: ________________________________________ Bring in or mail to: ACT-B Box 24025 Thunder Bay, ON P7A 8A6 ACT-B Advisory Council Richard Atkinson Kinna-Aweya Legal Clinic Fred Ball Director, Regional Public Health Laboratory Patti Cole ACT-B Board of Directors Nicole Hotson TB Indian Friendship Centre Gail Linklater Crossroads Centre Dr. Gordon Milne Family Physician Karen O’Gorman HIV Program Consultant ARF Pat Piaskowski Infection Control, TB Regional Hospital Diana Smith Public Health Nurse, Thunder Bay District Health Unit Richard Thompson Superior Points Harm Reduction Nicky Tittley Safety Coordinator, Thunder Bay Regional Hospital Carl Triskle ACT-B Board of Directors Rev. Don Uhryniw Current River United Church, Council of Clergy ACT-B Board of Directors Sherry Britton Patti Cole Michael Croft Pam Delgaty Heather Graham Paul Kerber Jennifer LaVoie Linda MacKay Rob MacKay Carl Triskle Kate E. White Pius White, President ACT-B Staff Christa Alsch Secretary David Belrose Education Coordinator Sheila Berry Support Services Coordinator Stuart Boland IDU Outreach Worker Joanne Books Counselling Conference Coordinator Charlene Burford Support Worker/Health Promoter Heather Cameron Targeted Prevention Worker Lawrence Korhonen Administration Coordinator Selly Pajamaki Volunteer Coordinator Crystal Porteous Fundraising Coordinator Michael Sobota Executive Director reACT-Believe Contributors Selly Pajamaki Editor ACT-B staff & volunteers -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 14 Issue 1 - Spring 2001 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 2001 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/17/2700/2001_reACT-Believe_vol14no2.pdf dea791c01b4b7ac38e9a3d02d55e7198 PDF Text Text T h e Ne w sle tte r o f T he A I DS C o m mi t t ee o f T hun d er B a y re-ACT Believe Volume 14, Issue 2 Summer 2001 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Fundraising News 2 AIDS Walk 2001 Do the Route—the Red Ribbon Walk 3 Education Update 4 The Extra Mile— News from the Volunteer Dept. 5 News from the Support Services Department 6 Here and There 7 Parting Glance 8 2001 Opening More Doors NWO Regional HIV/AIDS Counselling Conference And Hepatitis C Community Forum The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay (ACT -B) is celebrating it's 10th Annual Opening More Doors, NWO Regional HIV/AIDS Counselling Conference on October 25 th and 26 th , 2001, at the Victoria Inn in Thunder Bay. This year, ACT-B is partnering with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit who will present a Hepatitis C Community Forum on Thursday, October 25 th from 9:30 to 12:30. Dr. Kaita, a hepatologist from Winnipeg, will be featured as the key note speaker. At 1:00 p.m., that same day, the HIV/AIDS Counselling Conference begins . This two-day event will offer 8 workshops focussing on counselling issues related to HIV/AIDS. The AIDS Committee welcomes health care workers, counsellors, clergy, people living with HIV/AIDS, and their family and friends to attend. Topics for this year's conference include: ACT-B w ould li ke to extend si ncere thanks to Joanne Books, Counselli ng Conference Coordi nator, for her excellent w ork once agai n i n planni ng and coordi nati ng thi s annual conference. • • • • • • • • Case Studie s: Stories From the Front Line HIV/AIDS in Aboriginal Communities Women, Pregnancy and HIV HIV/AIDS and ST D's: the Basics PHA Panel: Stories from Within Service Providers: Perspectives from the Substance Using Population Harm Reduction Strategies Treatment Information Night Conference Registration Fees: $20.00 for the Hepatitis C Forum $40.00 for HIV/AIDS Counselling Conference $60.00 for both the Hepatitis C Forum and the HIV/AIDS Counselling Conference This conference is a vital professional development experience for those who work in the field of HIV/AIDS. Over the last 10 years it has developed an excellent reputation in our region. Early registration is recommended! For more information, contact Joanne Books, Conference Coordinator, at 807-345-1516. �Fundraising News From Crystal Porteous, Fundraising Coordinator While you are out enjoying a hot cup of coffee at Seattle Coffee House, you will be supporting ACT-B. On World AIDS Day, a portion of the coffee sales will be donated to our agency. This is a wonderful community partnership that we have developed with Seattle Coffee House. Visit at any one of their four locations—Red River Road, Cumberland St, Memorial Ave. at Dunlop St., and Arthur St. A very special thank you goes out to all the volunteers who laboured in setting up the yard sale and to those who gave up the morning or day to make this event a success. We raised over $1000! The community response to our donation request was incredible. We had tons of books and more than enough clothing, but the yard salers got excellent bargains. Special thanks to St. John’s Anglican Church for all their support and assistance. The church loaned us storage space and allowed us the use of the hall for the day of the event. From coffee day to an evening of dinner, ACT-B is cooking up a meal that will melt your taste buds. On December 1, WORLD AIDS DAY we will be holding a spaghetti dinner fundraiser. The dinner will be held at St. John’s Anglican Church, 226 Pearl Street in the parish hall. The evening is split into two time periods, one for take out and the other for a sit down dinner. Bring your appetites and enjoy an evening with ACT-B ! Marge Cross is not only a dedicated volunteer operating our bingos and organizing the Secret Santa project, she is also a talented artist who works with stained glass. AIDS Ribbon She has created an original Design by Marge Cross stain glass design of a red Copyright 2001 ribbon. ACT-B will be selling these exquisite designs as a fundraiser for the agency. The ribbons sell for $45.00, with $20.00 of every sale going to ACT-B. These make excellent gifts for birthdays, holidays or special occasions! If you would like to purchase one please call Crystal at 345-1516, extension 15. - 2- �Sunday, September 23 At The Outpost, Lakehead University Registration: 12:00 noon Walk Starts: 2:00 p.m. Note: Due to construction, please use the Balmoral and Beverly Streets Entrance to L.U. DO THE ROUTE!! This year the route has changed with our return to the Outpost. Focusing on highly visible streets, the Walk starts at the Outpost, leading down Oliver Road to High Street, connecting onto Memorial Avenue and up Beverly Street back to the Outpost for a total of 5.6 km. REMEMBER, YOUR DOG CAN WALK TOO! A project of National Founding Sponsor In partnership with community AIDS organizations across Canada Special thanks to our generous local sponsors Downtown Volkswagen, Westjet Airlines Janzen’s Pharmacy, Bowater, The Royal Bank, Grand Portage Lodge & Casino Media Sponsors: The Chronicle Journal, CJSD Incorp. (KIXX, ROCK 94, CKPR) Thunder Bay Post -3- �EDUCATION UPDATE David Belrose, Education Coordinator ACT-B Online www.tbaytel.net/actb Check out our “new look” at our redesigned and revitalized web site at www.tbaytel.net/actb. Thanks to the Youth Services Canada "Youth Providing for Our Community" project, and the efforts of Ryan Halstead, we now have a new design and new features on our web site. Check us out and see the changes. Find our publications and an order form on the site. Get information about HIV testing in Thunder Bay. Link to a series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) at the Canadian HIV/AIDS Clearinghouse. Link to the Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE) which is an excellent source for treatment information. See the stained glass red ribbon advertised elsewhere in this newsletter. We will work to keep the site up to date in the future, so come back often. reACT-Believe Newsletter In order to cut production and mailing costs, as well as adding content to the web site, we are now posting our newsletter online. It is in Adobe PDF format, so it can be read on line or printed out in hard copy. You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is free, to view and print the files. For anyone who does not have the program, we have included a link to the free download site. You will be able to receive the newsletter by e-mail, by accessing it on our web site (notification of new issues will be by e-mail), or by mail if you do not have Internet or e-mail access. Please complete the enclosed survey to let us know whether you want to continue to get the newsletter, and how you would like to get it delivered. Did You Know? Lubricants and HIV Research has shown that some lubricants may kill HIV. Researchers at the University of Texas have show n that three lubricants - Astroglide, Silken Secret, and Vagisil Intimate M oisture have been able to kill HIV in the laboratory. This is a laboratory result only, and research still needs to be done to see the effects in real life use. Lubricant by itself is not an effective safer sex measure, and condoms must be used with a water-based lubricant for protection against HIV. Human tests will show the real value of the lubricants as an anti-HIV agent, and may well not bear out the laboratory results. This study was reported in the July 2001 issue of “AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses.” Oral Transmission of HIV A new study reported in the Globe and M ail August 15, 2001, suggests that the risk of contracting HIV through oral sex is very, very low. The Center for AIDS Prevention studies in San Francisco looked at a group of 198 gay men who practise oral sex exclusively. Some 20% had performed oral sex on a partner who was HIV positive. No one contracted HIV during the study period. According to Prof. Kimberley Page-Shafer “...the probability of acquiring HIV through that specific sexual activity [exclusive receptive oral intercourse with a male partner] is very, very low.” However she emphasized that oral sex is safer sex, not safe sex. - 4- �The Extra Mile News from the Volunteer Department Selly Pajamaki, Volunteer Coordinator Here’s what’s happening in the coming months: *AIDS Walk 2001 Sunday, Sept. 23 *Coffee Day on World AIDS Day, Dec. 1 *Opening Doors Counselling Conference October 25 & 26 *Winter Tag Days Sat & Sun, Nov 17 & 18 *AIDS Awareness Week Nov 25-Dec 1 *Spaghetti Dinner Sat, Dec 1st, World AIDS Day Our first Yard Sale in several years was held on Satur day, July 14th, along with a bake sale and hot dog sale at the same location. It was a roaring success!!! Many volunteers were called into service and everyone did a fantastic job—thank you all very much. Thanks also to those volunteers who helped with the organizing of the zillions of items donated. We woul d have been buried under mounds of donations without you. Due to the success of this yard sale, we are looking to hol d anot her one next year. Please keep it in mind and come back and help us again. Our first Summer Tag Day will have taken place by the time you read this newsletter. I would like to extend sincer e thanks to all those people who gave up a summer Saturday to work at this event. Your generous gift of time is really appreciated. We will be having our annual Winter Tag Days on November 17 & 18, so I will we calling you about those as soon as the AIDS Walk is over. AIDS Walk 2001 will be taking place very soon. It is on Sunday, Sept ember 23 at the OutPost at Lakehead University. We need several volunteers for the day—if you haven’t already hear d from me, I will be calling you soon. Take part in the Walk as a volunteer or as a walker, or as both. Coffee Day will take place on December 1, World AIDS Day. Support the AIDS Committee by enjoying a cup of coffee at any of the Seattle Coffee House locations—Red River Road, Cumberland St., Memorial Ave. at Dunlop St., and Arthur St. A portion of their coffee sales that day will be donated to ACT-B.. No volunteers are needed for these days, but we would appreciate you going out and buying a coffee or two. On World AIDS Day, Saturday, December 1, we will be having a spaghetti supper at St. John’s Anglican Church. Volunteers will be required to cook and serve for bot h take-out and a sit-down dinner. Please consider giving us some of your time that day. - 5- �News from Support Services HIV: Women and Pregnancy As we prepare for the transition of late summer into slightly cooler temperatures that lead to the colourful tapestry of fall, the AIDS Committee and community partners have been meeting since M ay to organize the upcoming 11th annual Regional HIV Counselling Conference. Where has the summer gone? How could it have been here and gone so quickly? And so with the theme of transition, we are aware that HIV and AIDS have presented many challenges to people living with HIV and/or AIDS, their families and health care supporters. As helpers, we have seen the changing face of HIV and AIDS over the past almost 20 years. In 1994 we noticed a rapidly growing number of heterosexual men seroconverting ( becoming HIV positive). Slowly since that time, the number of women testing positive for the HIV virus has risen substantially. Quoting from an article in the National Post, “women account for almost one out of four new infections”, at 23.9%. These statistics are born out in both the Ontario M inistry of Health and Health Canada reports. Our local picture in Northwestern Ontario in the past two years reveals the seroconversion rate for women to be approximately 40% of new infections. M any women who are becoming infected, are of childbearing age, therefore we are seeing more pregnancies. Some women may only discover their HIV status through more stringent screening by their physicians. As a health issue, doctors are obligated to do risk assessment and offer HIV testing to pregnant women. The primary reasons for this are twofold; one, to be able to offer optimum treatment to the woman during her pregnancy, and to reduce the risk of HIV transmission from mother to fetus (vertical transmission). Research indicates that without treatment for HIV, the risk of HIV transmission to the fetus is about 2530%. That is, a 70 to 75% chance of the baby remaining negative. With anti-viral treatment, starting in the second trimester (after the first three months of pregnancy), the risk of HIV transmission to the fetus can be reduced to 5-8% or a 92 – 95% chance of remaining HIV negative. Transmission from mother to child, according to current information, occurs this way: slightly less than one third while the baby is in the womb (in utero), two thirds during the delivery or birthing process, and a small percentage may be transmitted through breast milk. At this point in time, there is limited knowledge of the long term affects of antiretrovirals on the newborn. We do know that if the baby is HIV positive, early treatment can prolong life and prevent some of the opportunistic infections such as recurring thrush and yeast infections in the rectum, anus and vagina that are very common, as well as lung infections. As health-care practitioners, there is always so much more that we are required to know and learn about new treatment options, information sharing, legal rights of our clients, and legal rights of the children. As fellow human beings we can be compassionate, caring and non-judgmental in our support for our clients. The most that we can do sometimes is make sure that we remain up-to date on our information or at least where to access the information. We need to be careful about assuming decisions for our clients, as we do not have to face the consequences of those decisions – they do! Web sites, 1-800 phone lines, and networking give us lots of avenues to gather information and support for our clients and ourselves. To explore this topic and many other leading edge subjects related to health and HIV and/or AIDS, check out the upcoming conference. Visit our web site, or simply call us. Walk softly in the forest, see the colours, hear the sounds of fall and the crunch of the leaves under your feet. Sheila Berry/Coordinator of Support Services for people living with HIV and/or AIDS. - 6- �Here and There... Natural and Holistic Approaches to the Treatment of HIV/AIDS November 17-18, 2001 Toronto, Ontario The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine ( CCNM) and Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange ( CATIE) are proud to present Natural and Holistic Approaches to the Treatment of HIV/ AIDS, a tw o-day national conference providing the most practical, cutting edge information about HIV/AIDS and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). People living w ith HIV/AIDS from diverse communities, CAM practitioners, health-care practitioners, and service providers within community-based AIDS organizations and other community health organizations w ill benefit from more than 30 w orkshop sessions and hands-on demonstrations. The conference w ill be preceded by CATIE’s Annual General Meeting on Friday, November 16, 2001. Visit www .catie.ca/events.htm l or call 1 800-263-1638, ext. 291 (english) or ext. 390 (french) for program, registration and scholarship information. Are you or is someone you know interested in sitting on a very dynamic committee? If you are, please consider joining ACTB’s Fundraising Committee. We are currently looking for energetic, enthusiastic people to join our team. Meetings are held once a month. The Committee works with the Fund raising Coordinator and the Executive Director in developing the annual fundraising plan and goals. For more information, please call Crystal at 345- 1516. For Information - About AIDS or HIV Infection: Call the AIDS Hotline at 1-800-668-2437 About Superior Points: Call 624-2005, 625-8830 or 625-8831 About Anonymous HIV Testing in Thunder Bay Call 625-5981 About Regular HIV Testing Call the STD Clinics 625-5944 or 622-7585 About Counselling or Referrals Call the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay 345-7233 About HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Call Catie (Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange) 1-800-263-1638 Service bilingue disponible ALL CALLS CONFIDENTIAL Monday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eas tern Time) Tuesday to T hursday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Eastern Time) Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) The Network 1-800-263-1638 HIV/AIDS Treatment Information email: info@catie.ca catie internet: www.cati e.ca Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange Once there was darkness all around I couldn’t feel my feet on the ground Never wanted to drink or eat Just wishing that I could sleep No matter what I tried I was afraid to go outside Wouldn’t even answer the phone All I wanted was to be left alone When I remembered why I felt like I wanted to die HIV/AIDS were words that I couldn’t say I just wanted it to go away My friends that seen me when I had to go out They would say you’re getting so skinny what’s this all about I wanted to commit suicide as I saw it as my only solution So, I went to the L.P.H. without any resolution Terror and anger was all I knew So how do you tell anyone what’s wrong with you Through all this I gave my word Didn’t quit counseling because there I could be heard Now I stand before you cheery and bright Out of the darkness into the light By Sandy, a mother who has a s on w ho has HIV/AID S -7- �Parting Glance ACT-B Advisory Council IMPORTANT LIST FOR 2001 This personal. Present. Random: not in priority. What I am thinking about this fall, that emerges as important to pay attention to. • Contribute to the AIDS Walk. Collect pledges. Or walk. At least make a real, direct contribution. Why? Every dollar collected stays here. The event is critical—the most important fundraising event in our calendar. Help make it a success. • Fall is so busy! ACT-B has four major events within 3 months: the Walk, our Counseling Conference, our Annual General Meeting, AIDS Awareness Week. What is important about this short list? To thank anyone who helps make them happen. To give thanks and appreciation. • Pay attention to what’s happening in front of you. Slow down...and pay better attention. • Find some room for the larger view. Both at work [we are connected to so many vital partnerships and supports in the HIV/AIDS field] and within my own life. Don’t be a yo-yo about this, bouncing internally/externally, banging what’s in front of me with what’s outside of me. Do this with balance, and practice better balance. • HIV and AIDS are still expanding. No let down, no respite, no plateau. What does this mean about needs? What does this mean about me? • Remember why I am here. Pause occasionally and remember. Michael Sobota The opinions and medical information offered by “ reA CT-B e lieve ” 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. P lease consult your doctor. P lease address any comments or concerns to: reA CT-B e lieve P .O. Box 24025 RP O Downtown North Thunder Bay, ON P 7A 8A9 Richard Atkinson Fred Ball Patti Cole Gail Linklater Dr. Gordon Milne Karen O’Gorman Pat Piaskowski Diana Smith Richard Thompson Nicky Tittley Carl Triskle Rev. Don Uhryniw ACT-B Board of Directors Sherry Britton Michael Croft Heather Graham Jennifer LaVoi e Rob MacKay, President Patti Cole Pam Delgaty Paul Kerber Linda MacKay Carl Triskle ACT-B Staff Christa Alsch David Belrose Sheila Berry Stuart Boland Joanne Books Charlene Burford Heather Cameron Lawrence Korhonen Selly Pajamaki Crystal Porteous Michael Sobota Or, e-mail us at: actb@tbaytel.net Kinna-Aweya Legal Clinic Director, Regional Public Health Laboratory ACT-B Board of Directors Crossroads Centre Family Physician HIV Program Consultant ARF Infection Control, TB Regional Hospital Public Health Nurse, Thunder Bay District Health Unit Superior Points Harm Reduction Safety Coordinator, Thunder Bay Regional Hospital ACT-B Board of Directors Current River United Church, Council of Clergy Secretary Education Coordinator Support Services Coordinator IDU Outreach Worker Counselling Conference Coordinator Support Worker/Health Promoter Targeted Prevention Worker Administration Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator Fundraising Coordinator Executive Director Re-ACT-Believe Contributors Y es! I want to become a member ofA CT-B ! I k now that my c ontribution will really c ount! He re is my donation Selly Pajamaki Editor ACT-B staff & volunteers $10.00___, $20.00___, $50.00___, other ___= === Name_________________________________________ 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. Address________________________________________ City, Province & P.C._____________________________ Telephone______________________________________ Bring in or mail to: ACT-B Box 24025 RPO Downtown North, Thunder Bay, ON P7A 8A9 - 8- �A word or two from the Health Promoter (Charlene Burford) I hav e been in this position for a few months now. The medical and natural healing communities continue to prov ide information related to medicines, alternativ e therapies, lifesty le and future directions of health care. Most of us k now that a balanced diet and regular exercise is considered "healthy ". Many people hav e eliminated the use of drugs -- be it caffeine, nicotine, heroine or speed -- and there are some that av oid pesticides and food additiv es as much as possible in our conv enient-focused world. Health conscious indiv iduals hav e turned to supplements, herbs and homeopathic remedies to help improv e the quality of their health. Caution must be exercised. Become an informed consumer -- research the product, educate yourself to recognize natural v s adv ertising hy pe, consult your phy sician and ask questions. How will it interact with existing medication or supplements? When is the best time to tak e the remedy , on a full or empty stomach? What are the side effects? What is the ideal dosage? Is it stored in the body that can lead to toxic lev els? What foods, drink s or supplements interfere with it's purpose? The following two articles may be of interest. 12 June 2001 A warning about milk thistle and drug interactions The seeds of the milk thistle plant are commonly used to protect the liver from damage caused by hepatitis viruses as well as alcohol and other substances. Compounds found in milk thistle - sylibin, sylimarin - act as antioxidants and also stimulate the repair of the liver. But now it appears that these and possibly other compounds in milk thistle can have other effects. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have suspected that milk thistle can slow down or reduce the activity of enzymes in the liver. What does this have to do with HIV? you might ask. Well, enzymes in the liver break down many of the substances that we eat and drink, including medications. If the activity of these enzymes are reduced, then drugs remain in the blood longer than they otherwise might. This could lead to having higher-than-expected levels of drugs in the body, causing side effects or intensifying already-existing side effects. Indeed, in recent experiments using milk thistle and human liver cells, the researchers found that relatively small concentrations of milk thistle did significantly slow down the activity of the liver enzyme CYP3A4 by 50% to 100%. Many medications taken by people with HIV/AIDS (PHAs) - such as protease inhibitors and non-nukes - are processed by this liver enzyme. If milk thistle is taken by someone using protease inhibitors or non-nukes, it has the potential to raise levels of these drugs, causing unpleasant or even dangerous side effects. Below is a short list of some other medications that are processed through the CYP3A4 enzyme. Levels of these medications may increase if taken by people who are also using milk thistle. This list is not exhaustive: - methadone - heart drugs - Tambocor (flecainide), Rythmol (propafenone) - antibiotics - erythromycin, rifampin - anti-seizure drugs - carbamazepine (Tegretol) - antidepressants - St. John’s wort, Zyban/Wellbutrin (bupropion), Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), Luvox (fluvoxetine) Serzone (nefazodone), Zoloft (sertraline), Effexor (venlafaxine) - antihistamines - Hismanal (astemizole), Seldane (terfenadine) - antifungals - itraconazole (Sporanox), Ketoconazole (Nizoral) - gastrointestinal motility agents - Prepulsid (Cisapride) - ergot drugs - Ergonovine, Ergomar (ergotamine) - anti_psychotics - Clozaril (clozapine), Orap (pimozide) �- sedatives/sleeping pills - Ambien (zolpidem), Halcion (triazolam), Versed (midazolam) - lipid-lowering drugs (statins) - Lescol (fluvastatin), Mevacor (lovastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin) and Zocor (simvastatin), Baycol (cerivastatin) - transplant drugs - cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), ProGraf (tacrolimus) Milk thistle also has the potential to lower levels of the following drugs: - anti-parasite drugs - Mepron (atovaquone) - sedatives/sleeping pills - Ativan (lorazepam) - hormones - estrogen The research by the scientists in Pittsburgh should emphasize to readers that simply because a product is “natural” it does not mean it is safe when taken with other substances. This research also shows the need to conduct further research on herb-drug interactions on liver cells as well as in people. Such studies may find combinations of herbs and drugs that can be safely used together. The Pittsburgh researchers noted that “patients and health care professionals must be encouraged to discuss the use of herbs and be educated about the potential interactions between herbs and drugs.” This cannot be stressed enough. REFERENCE Venkataramanan R, Ramachandran V, Komoroski BJ, et al. Milk thistle, a herbal supplement, decreases the activity of CYP3A4 and uridine diphosphoglucuronosyl transferase in human hepatocyte cultures. Drug Metabolism and Disposition 2000;28(11):1270-1273. This information was provided by the Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE). For more information, contact CATIE at 1-800-263-1638. 23 July 2001 Pesticides found in many ginseng supplements in the U.S. The organization ConsumerLab in the U.S. conducts independent testing of supplements sold in that country. The purpose of the testing is to find out if the ingredients listed on the label match those found in the capsules, tablets or liquids that accompany the label. The company produces reports which are available on its website at www. consumerlab.com. In a recent study, ConsumerLab tested 22 brands of ginseng supplements sold in the U.S. and found that only nine passed its review. Unfortunately, the company only lists the brands that pass its testing. They found that eight of 12 products that were labelled to contain “Korean ginseng” were contaminated with pesticides (hexachlorobenzene and/or quintozene). These compounds may damage the liver and kidneys and have the potential to cause cancer in people. In some cases the level of contamination by pesticides was 20 times higher than allowed under U.S. and European guidelines. For further details about the review of ginseng supplements readers can visit www.consumerlab.com/results/ginseng.asp. General safety information about ginseng is also available from the site. These results on contamination point to the need for similar research on products available in Canada. REFERENCE Anonymous. Pesticide contamination found in many ginseng supplements tested by consumerlab.com: only 9 of 22 products pass product review published online today. Press release 11 July, 2001. From Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE). For more information visit CATIE's Information Network at http://www.catie.ca �AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay (ACT-B) - Newsletter Survey Thank you for your help! If you do not respond to this survey, we will take that to mean that you do not wish to receive our newsletter in the future. The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay produces the reACT-Believe Newsletter three times a year. Current HIV/AIDS issues, and activities of ACT-B are highlighted. We have limited funds for printing and distribution, and are looking for alternative means of making the newsletter available to a broader audience, such as sending it by e-mail, and posting it on our web site. . We appreciate you taking the time to complete this short survey and return it either by fa x to (807) 345-2505, or by mail to: AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay, PO Box 24025, Thunder Bay, ON P7 A 8A9 If you prefer to reply b y e-mail, please e-mail actb@tbaytel.net and include "NEWSLETTER SURVEY" in the subject line. The survey can be sent to you by e-mail for completion and return. Your name _____________________________________________________________ Organization (if any) ______________________________________________________ Address _______________________________________________________________ City, Pro vince, Postal code _________________________________________________ E-mail (if any) ___________________________________________________________ Phone number __________________________________________________________ Fax number (if any) _______________________________________________________ 1. Do you want to continue receiving the reACT-Believe Newsletter? Yes No If no, why not? ____________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 2. For those who have Internet access, we intend to place the newsletters on our web site in Adobe PDF format, and notify people of new issues by e-mail. We can also send the newsletter by email in Adobe PDF format. The Adobe Acrobat Reader needed to view and/or print the newsletter is available free, and can be accessed through a link on our web site. If you have Internet and e-mail access, please provide your e-mail address (and web site address if you have one). [Please note that this will be used only to send you information from ACT-B, and will not be provided to any other agency or individual.] E-mail address: _______________________________________________________ Web site: ____________________________________________________________ Please place check beside your choice for getting the newsletter: Send me the newsletter by e-mail in PDF format ! Send me notification by e-mail and I’ll access it on the web site ! 3. For individuals or agencies without Internet or e-mail access, we can produce a limited number of print copies of the newsletter. Do you need to receive the newsletter in this format? If yes be sure to include your mailing address in the section provided earlier in the survey. Yes No � 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 14 Issue 2 - Summer 2001 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 2001 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/17/2701/2001_reACT-Believe_vol14no3.pdf 8786870ac8993bf449b19e8f449748c6 PDF Text Text REACT-BELIEVE Volume 1 4 , Issue 3 The Newsletter of The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Fall/Winte r 2001-2002 National and World AIDS Awareness Campaign AIDS Awareness Week Nov. 26 to Dec. 1, 2001 World AIDS Day, December 1 "I care ... Do you?" is the slogan for the second year of a two-year international AIDS Awareness campaign intended to create a sustained focus on the role of men in the AIDS epidemic. This slogan was chosen since it is capable of including discussions about the role of leaders and the needs of young men while being broad enough to discuss other issues relevant to prevention and care, to both genders, and to different age groups. The new campaign aims to involve men, particularly young men, more fully in the effort against AIDS; to bring about a much-needed focus on men in national responses to the epidemic and to involve leaders both as politicians and in their personal lives in the response to the HIV epidemic. Resource s The Canadian HIV/AIDS Clearinghouse in cooperation with the Canadian AIDS Society is distributing resource materials for AIDS Awareness Week 2001. A number of new resources have been developed and can be viewed, downloaded as a PDF document or ordered in quantity by completing an online order form at http://www.clearinghouse.cpha.ca/ english/news/AAW_e.htm. Orders will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Quantities may be limited. The AIDS Awareness Campaign is being coordinated by the Canadian AIDS Society. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to call 1-800-499-1986. Some of the e vents in Thunde r Bay this year will include: T ag Day on November 17 at various city locations. Distribution of litter bags, containing a prevention message, by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit and ACT -B. Annual General Meeting of ACT -B on Nov. 28. Candlelight Vigil T hursday, November 29 at 7:30 p.m. Coffee Day at Seattle Coffeehouses on December 1 Spaghetti Supper on December 1 at St. John’s Anglican Church at 226 Pearl St. Inside this issue: Fundraising News News from the Route Education Update The Extra Mile-Vol. Dept. News Support Services News Advocacy Parting Glance 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Annual General Meeting The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay will be held on Wednesday, November 28, 2001. Our guest speaker this year will be Dr. Fred Ball, Manager, Thunder Bay Public Health Laboratory. His topic will be “ Viruses, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly”. We will also hold our popular Silent Auction, so you can do some early Christmas shopping. The AGM will be held at the Port Arthur Ukrainian Prosvita Society at 540 South High St.. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with the meeting starting at 7:00 p.m. On behalf of the staff and volunteers of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay, I would like to wish you all the happiest of Holiday Seasons! The Editor �Fundraising News From Crystal Porteous, Fundraising Coordinator WORLD AIDS DAY FUNDRAISING EVENTS! ACT-B is holding a fundraising spaghetti dinner on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2001. The dinner will be held at St. John’s Anglican Church, 226 Pearl Street with three dining choices to choose from: Take out Sit down dinner 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. & Cost $7.00 adult $6.00 student/senior 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Children under 4 free We are promoting recycling so if you are taking out food please bring a container. Our incredible recipe for spaghetti sauce is available free! We need volunteers to cook spaghetti sauce. ACT-B pro vides the recipe and you cook the sauce in your home and deliver it to us before the event. In return for your donation you receive a free dinner ticket to enjoy the fruits of your labour. We also need numerous volunteers to cook meatballs, make salad and work the day of the event. To prepare for the dinner we will be holding a meatball & salad making party in the kitchen of the church. If you would like to join our crew of cooks, please call Crystal or Selly at 345-1516. If you are unable to attend but would like to support the event, you can purchase a ticket for someone who could not otherwise afford to come. Please see Crystal for further information about this aspect of the fundraiser. Seattle Coffee House Day On December 1st enjoy a warm cup of coffee at any one of Seattle Coffee House’s five locations and help support the AIDS Committee! Seattle Coffee House is joining ACT-B in promoting WORLD AIDS Day by partnering with our agency in this new fundraising event. A portion of all coffee sales will be donated to the agency to support our programs and services. You can also take part in this event by treating yourself or enjoying a special coffee hour with friends or family. For further information, please call Crystal at 345-1516. SEATTLE COFFEE HOUSE LOCATIONS 820 Red River Rd 588 Arthur St. The new kiosk at George’s M arket 190 Cumberland St. (corner of River & Cumberland) M emorial Ave. at Dunlop reACT-Be lieve Page 2 �News from the Route—The Red Ribbon Walk ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL WALK! The AIDS Walk Fundraiser, the biggest of all of the events planned for the agency, this year was a huge success, raising over $21,000.00. The day was a bit chilly, but everyone was energetic and ready for the brisk 5.6 km. walk. The Walk was held at Lakehead University’s Outpost with 150 people taking part in the day’s activities. We would like to thank everyone who helped make this day the success it was. It took a lot of work and time to make this event possible. Special thanks to all of our walkers and dogs for collecting pledges and sharing in this exciting event, our wonderful volunteers who helped in the preparation and day of events, our sponsors for investing in this annual event, Downtown Volkswagen, WestJet Airlines, Janzen’s Pharmacy, Bowater, The Royal Bank and Grand Portage Lodge & Casino, the many local businesses that donated prizes, and the staff and Fundraising Committee for the many evening meetings preparing and guiding the Walk’s development. Thank You! Top Five Walkers Selly Pajamaki Carl Triskle Helen Rose Dennis Eeles Scott Gale $4922.21 $1585.00 $945.00 $716.51 $647.00 Top Church Team: First Church United $4535.51 Top School Team: Westgate High School $260.00 reACT-Be lieve A project of the Canadian AIDS Society in partnership with community AIDS organizations across Canada. Page 3 �EDUCATION UPDATE David Belrose, Education Coordinator låí~êáç=jÉåD ë=pìêî Éó= An important new research project will be taking place across the province over the next few months. A survey will be conducted of men who have sex with men. The Ontario Men's Survey is a venue-based study including a self-report survey questionnaire and an optional HIV antibody testing of saliva. T his 24-month study will be carried out across Ontario. The study will be conducted in eight languages and will seek a sample of 5,000 men who have sex with men. Recent Ontario data suggest a significant increase in HIV incidence among men who have sex with men (Calzavara et al, 2000; Remis et al, 2000). This pattern is reflected elsewhere in the world, including San Francisco and New York (Coates et al, 2000). The current study was developed through an extensive consultation with service providers and AIDS Service Organizations in twelve Ontario cities, including T hunder Bay. The major goal of the study is to conduct a cross-sectional, comprehensive socio-behavioural and HIV prevalence study among self-identified gay and bisexual men in Ontario. Specific objectives include: • to provide an understanding of current issues related to behaviour and HIV infection for Ontario gay/bisexual men and particularly to further the understanding of factors that are contributing to the increase in HIV incidence among this population; • to develop an understanding of variations between regions of the province in behaviours, HIV prevalence and factors that contribute to these variations; • to compare study data with other data bases and previously conducted study data; • to provide community-level data to help shape future prevention programming and other services. Specific issues to be examined include: issues related to testing behaviours (including testing outside of community), sexual risk in the context of monogamous and non-monogamous relationships, sexual risk in the context of either casual or regular relationships, episode and context-specific aspects of risk, issues specific to ethno-cultural, and younger gay and bisexual men, understanding how gay/bisexual men access information about HIV, and theoretical explanations for HIV risk-taking -treatment and vaccine "optimism", and safer sex burnout. The survey data collection will be taking place largely from January-March, 2002, and we will be looking for a large sample from Thunder Bay and region. You may have questions about the survey, particularly about the antibody testing of saliva, or about how you can become involved. For more regional information contact: David Belrose , Provincial Advisory Committee , at 345-1516, 1-800-488-5840 (807 area code ) or actb@tbaytel.ne t. For provincial information contact: Dan Allman at (416) 978-1830 or dan.allman@utoronto.ca World AIDS Campaign: Men key to reducing HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS media release) 7 October 2001 - This year's World AIDS Campaign will chip away at masculine behaviours and attitudes that contribute to the spread of HIV, according to Dr Peter Piot, UNAIDS Executive Director. "Part of the effort to curb the AIDS epidemic must include challenging negative beliefs and behaviours, including the way men view risk and how boys are socialized to become men," said Dr Piot. "Men are expected to be strong, robust and virile - but these very expectations may translate into behaviours that can endanger both men and their partners." The World AIDS Campaign 2001 aims to involve men, particularly young men, more fully in the effort against AIDS. It also aims to bring about a much-needed focus on men in national responses to the epidemic and to involve leaders both as politicians and as individuals in taking action against AIDS. For more information check out the UNAIDS site: http://www.unaids.org/wac/2001/index.html reACT-Be lieve Page 4 �The Extra Mile News from the Volunteer Department Selly Pajamaki, Volunteer Coordinator Here’s what’s happening in the coming months: Fall Tag Day—Sat. Nov. 17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. • AIDS Awareness Week— Nov. 25 to Dec. 1 • Annual General Meeting— Wed. Nov. 28, 7 p.m. Port Arthur Ukrainian Prosvita Society small hall, High St. • Candlelight Vigil—Thurs. Nov. 29, 7:30 p.m. • Seattle Coffee House Coffee Day—Sat. Dec. 1 all day at all locations • Spaghetti Dinner—Sat. Dec. 1 St. John’s Anglican Church on Pearl St., takeout 3:30-4:30; sit down meal 5-6 & 6:30-7:30 Please support the AIDS Committee by attending these events. For more information, call ACT-B at 345-1516. • Thank you to all our many dedicated volunteers. The time and talent you give to us is truly appreciated. We couldn’t do what we do without your help and support. reACT-Be lieve Our first Summer Tag Day went well, bringing in just over $800. Thank you to all those volunteers who gave up part of their summer Satur day to help with this event. The next Tag Day takes place on Saturday, November 17. Please come out and support ACT-B and our volunteers who are willingly standing out in the cold that day to promote the Red Ribbon Campaign. AIDS Walk 2001 was a great success and a large part of the success was due to the work of many volunteers. Thank you all for showing up on time and doing your jobs so well. It is through the coor dinated efforts of the group (staff and volunteers) that we are able to have such a smoothly-run event each year. Thanks also to the staff at the L.U. Outpost, they were very helpful. And, many thanks to the counters who came in the next day and spent hours checking and verifying pledge sheets and dollar amounts. We raised over $21,000! The Walk Committee also deserves a big thank you for their many hours of planning. Please remember our first Coffee Day will take place on Saturday, December 1—World AIDS Day. A portion of the price of every cup of coffee sol d that day will be donated to ACT-B. We don’t need you to volunteer, but would appreciate you going out and buying a cup or two of coffee. And, tell your family and friends about this event, too. Saturday, December 1 is also when our first Spaghetti Dinner will be happening. It will be at St. John’s Anglican Church on Pearl St. Take-out is available from 3:30 to 4:30 and a sit-down meal will be available from 5-6 and 6:30-7:30. Bring your family and friends for a spaghetti and salad dinner. We are in the process of calling volunteers to make spaghetti sauce and/or to help at the dinner. Please call Selly at 345-1516 if you would like to volunteer for this delicious event. Page 5 �News from Support Services Santa’s Elves Need Your Help! Dear Friends of ACT-B Providing something special for Christmas for our clients has become an ongoing tradition which we invite you to participate in. We are seeking individuals and families who would like to be Secret Santa's. Each year, the AIDS Committee purchases turkeys, oranges and candies and puts together Holiday Baskets. But, we need your help to complete the baskets. You or your family, or a group of friends or workmates can adopt a family or individual for this pro ject. Your task is to provide something special for Christmas to fill the basket. We are asking you to take on the role of a “Secret Santa” by filling either a large stocking for an individual or a basket for a family. We will pro vide specific information, e.g. gender, age and interests, to make each basket/stocking meaningful. Should your schedule not permit the actual shopping, we will gladly accept a cash donation and complete your “Santa” commitment for you. To register or find out more about this project, please contact M arge Cross at 622-0462. Thank you in advance for your caring and gracious support. For Information About AIDS or HIV Infe ction: Call the AIDS Hotline at 1-800-668-2437 About Supe rior Points: Call 624-2005, 625-8830 or 625-8831 About Anonymous HIV Testing in Thunde r Bay Call 625-5981 About Regular HIV Te sting Call the ST D Clinics 625-5944 or 622-7585 About Counselling or Refe rrals Call the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay 3451516 Service bilingue disponible ALL CALLS CONFIDENTIAL Monday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eas tern Time) Tuesday to T hursday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Eastern Time) Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) The Network 1-800-263-1638 HIV/AIDS Treatment Information email: info@catie.ca catie internet: www.cati e.ca Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange The opinions and medical information offered by “ êÉ^ `qJ_ ÉäáÉîÉ” are those of the About HIV/AIDS Tre atment Information individual authors and not necessarily those of the staff and Board of Directors of Call Catie (Community AIDS T reatment the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay. Medical information offered should be used at your own discretion. P lease consult your doctor. Information Exchange) 1-800-263-1638 Attention all clients, volunteers and visitors to the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay. We are a ‘scentfree’ building. Please do not wear colognes, perfumes, aftershave, or scented makeup or hairspray when visiting our premises. They have been known to cause allergic reactions for staff, clients and volunteers. reACT-Be lieve P lease address any comments or concerns to: êÉ^ `qJ_ ÉäáÉîÉ P .O. Box 24025 RP O Downtown North Thunder Bay, ON P 7A 8A9 Or, e-mail us at: actb@tbaytel.net Page 6 �Advocacy ACT-B Advocacy - a small victory Last month Tony Clement, Minister of Health, announced changes to the Northern Health Travel Grant [NHTG] program and for related areas of health care. The principle announcement - and the piece perhaps most important to our clients, ourselves and the people of Northern Ontario - is a basic increase in the NHTG compensation. The announcement states that "medical referrals from Thunder Bay to Toronto would be compensated up to $941.88." This is an increase from the old maximum of $419.38. It is a significant increase and a major improvement by the Provincial government. It is not enough and will not allow for full recovery of travel costs associated with medical travel, particularly when someone needs another person to travel with them. I am writing about this because it is an example of advocacy-over-time. ACT-B has to be engaged in this principle. The improvement to the NHTG caps approximately a three-year effort. The effort had many, many partners. Our local MPP's lead a petition campaign that garnered something around 40,000 signatures to have the plan improved. The Ontario Advisory Committee on HIV/AIDS [OACHA] has had the NHTG program as a priority on our list of items that we pressure the Minister about. Our board - like many other ASO boards - endorsed OACHA's advocacy position on the NHTG program. I have sat in direct personal meetings with Clement's predecessor - Elizabeth Witmer - with Mark Bulbrook at my side [then Executive Director of the OAN - now Co-Chair of OACHA] and argued about the inadequacy of the NHTG for our clients. Pius White, while he was still President of our Board, and myself, again pressured the Minister directly in a meeting of the full OACHA committee. We pressured Minister Witmer to release an internal report about the NHTG, which she had commissioned. She told us she would [but, more than a year later, it has yet to be released]. Many families and private individuals wrote, complained and communicated with the government about the NHTG program. And finally, last month, change occurred. It is important for you to know that ACT-B has to be part of this - has to play an energetic, active role on advocacy issues we believe impact our work. The increase [now 2 years ago] to our core operating funds from the AIDS Bureau was the result of another three year effort of direct advocacy and pressure. These are examples of how ACT-B must keep the big picture in focus while simu ltaneously doing our day-to-day and month-to-month work. This is seldom easy. It is often time consuming and thankless. As I write this, I pause to note this small victory and the progress achieved. And I am full of gratitude toward Pius Whit e, Mark Bulbrook, our board of directors, OACHA and our MPPs. This is not Minister Clement's generosity. He simply arrived to head his Ministry [he has been Minister of Health for less than a year] at a time when all this effort to affect change rolled onto his desk and made him take notice. We have done something good for our clients. Michael Sobota, Executive Director reACT-Be lieve Page 7 �Parting Glance The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay would like to acknowledge the United Way of Thunder Bay for supporting our Emergency Financial Assistance Program. ACT-B applied for and received funding for this unique program through the United Way’s Community Response Grants. This is a wonderful community partnership that in turn will directly help people with HIV/AIDS and their families. MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL Hav e y ou renew ed y our membership for 2002? It’s not too late! Fill out the membership form below and mail it to the ACT-B office. As a member you hav e a voice in the future direction of the agency by supporting the aims, goals and objectiv es of ACT-B. If y ou w ould lik e to take an activ e role in the agency ’s grow th, y ou are eligible to stand for nomination to the Board of Directors, as w ell as hav ing the option of nominating and elec ting others. As a special bonus, all members receiv e our ReACT Believe newsletter prov iding up-to-date information on HIV/AIDS, treatment and notices about fundraising and special ev ents. Yes, I want to be a member of ACT-B Basic M embership Supporting M embership I would also like to donate: $10.00 $25.00 ______ Name: __________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________ City: __________________________ PC:_____________ Phone: _________________________________________ Email address: ___________________________________ When calling, do you prefer we use discretion? Would you like to receive information by email? Please make your cheque payable to: AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay P.O. Box 24025, Thunder Bay, ON P7A 8A9 Phone: 807-345-1516 Fax: 807-345-2505 reACT-Be lieve Y N Y N ACT-B Advisory Council Richard Atkinson Fred Ball Kinna-Aweya Legal Clinic Director, Regional Public Health Laboratory Crossroads Centre Family Physician HIV Program Consultant ARF Infection Control, TB Regional Hospital Public Health Nurse, Thunder Bay District Health Unit Superior Points Harm Reduction Coordinator Infection Control/ Safety, St. Joseph’s Care Group ACT-B Board of Directors Current River United Church, Council of Clergy Gail Linklater Dr. Gordon Milne Karen O’Gorman Pat Piaskowski Diana Smith Richard Thompson Nicky Tittley Carl Triskle Rev. Don Uhryniw ACT-B Board of Directors Sherry Britton Pam Delgaty Paul Kerber Rob MacKay, President Michael Croft Heather Graham Linda MacKay Carl Triskle ACT-B Staff Christa Alsch David Belrose Sheila Berry Stuart Boland Joanne Books Charlene Burford Heather Cameron Lawrence Korhonen Selly Pajamaki Crystal Porteous Michael Sobota Secretary Education Coordinator Support Services Coordinator IDU Outreach Worker Counselling Conference Coordinator Support Worker/Health Promoter Targeted Prevention Worker Administration Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator Fundraising Coordinator Executive Director Re-ACT-Believe Contributors Selly Pajamaki Editor ACT-B staff & volunteers The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay acknowledges and thanks our various funders: ¾ Ontario Ministry of Health - AIDS Bureau ¾ Health Promotion and Programs Branch, Ontario Region, Health Canada (ACAP) ¾ All of the people involved in general fundraising and the support of many local businesses and individuals. Page 8 �From the Health Promoter… Charlene Burford I have included a general interest article about water intake and a brief report about our Community Garden. We are looking for dirt diggers and fresh air worshippers (volunteers) for out next garden season, give me a call (345-1516). Also, Mothe r’s Cupboard is in need of PEANUT BUTT ER for those of you who want to donate but can’t figure out what to drop off at our office. Feel free to call and I will give you more food suggestions. Community Garden 2001 Report Background: Fresh produce grown in a garden by and for clients has been a project idea for a number of years. I was given a brief history of ideas for the project. In June, a me mber of the Mother's Cupboard Committee announced that County Fair Community Garden would a llow us to join them regardless that we were not located in the neighbourhood. The Process: An "Interest Survey" was created and ma iled out to all PHAs involved with ACT-B; three (3) surveys were completed and returned to me. Fourteen (14) people expressed an interest in being involved in the garden; four (4) were PHAs the re maining ten (10) were volunteers with the agency. I met with the County Fair Community Garden ma nager and identified a plot of land approximately 20' x 30' as manageable for our first year. We had to weed and turn the overgrown area prior to planting. It took two separate work parties to prepare the earth, the seeds and bedding-out plants were in the ground June 25th with the help of seven (7) people. Bedding-out plants included tomato (48), cauliflower, squash and lettuce. The following seeds were planted: carrot, pea, green onion, red pepper, zucchini, and radish. We received donations from Creekside Nursery (seeds and bedding-out plants), Canadian Tire (support cages for tomato plants), garden me mbership fee of $5.00 and $10.00 toward purchasing seeds. A daily watering schedule was created for the first month; subsequent months re lied on the weather and people tending the garden informa lly. Garden fresh produce was distributed to clients on a few occasions, people thoroughly enjoyed receiving the food knowing it had come from "The Garden". Recommendations: The Garden is a great project and we will need at least another year to imple ment some of the learning from this year. I plan to be a part of the Community Garden Guidelines Committee that will provide the opportunity to link with other garden me mbers and increase my general gardening knowledge that I can then apply to the plot next year. I have been invited to a workshop directed at "organiz ing your voluntee rs" to be presented by Eco Superior in the upcoming months; my involvement will teach me skills to more efficiently recruit and schedule garden helpers. Initially, we thought this would be a client driven project, however, it is not feasible to be lieve the clients will be responsible for tending the garden as their health and energy levels fluctuate drastically. The following suggestions can be applied to next year's garden project: • Start ground preparation in May; plant at the start of June (rather than July). • We will need a larger volunteer base of dedicated people for next year. Organizing each work party was time consuming, often those who committed to helping were not at home when it was time to pick up the helpers. • More weeding and plant thinning needed. Much of the garden was over-grown strangling out the planted vegetables. • Cauliflower not needed. reACT-Be lieve Insert 1 �Drink Yourself Fit! Foods geared tow ards athletes, low-fat cuisine, v egetarian dis hes and diets…. Wherev er you go, you’ll find sports fans making conscious decisions about what they ear. How ev er, many fail to realize the importance of finding the right drink to provide all the necessary nutrients to im prov e their performance. An athlete sw eats a lot. This process depletes enormous amounts of water, minerals and electroly tes from the body. This liquid loss rapidly reduces stamina and can quickly turn hazardous, since w ater is an indispensable coolant for the body and also transports v ital elements throughout the system. Therefore it is of greatest importance that athletes learn to control and monitor their fluid-intake. Once y our body registers the lack of water, and sends y ou a signal—thirst—y our athletic capabilities hav e already been reduced. Athletes should therefore consume sufficient liquid before and during physic al activ ity . Each athletic or sports activ ity exerts different demands on the body, hence the difficulty in formulating an ideal ingredient for the ultimate sports drink. Athletes debate the benefits of plain water, is otopic drinks, so-called energy drinks and protein shakes. First of all, how ever, w e need to differentiate betw een drinks that are meant to replace body fluids in endurance sports, and those that promise to enhance the muscle building process in strength-oriented sports. For endurance sports, water or even tea is sufficient to replenish lost boy fluid in activ ities not exceeding 60 minutes. In longer competitions, howev er, these cannot deliv er the necessary energy replenis hment. In these cases y ou should drink a fruit juice/mineral w ater mix , which contains the needed carbohy drates, in the form of fruit sugars, for energy. Non-carbonated mineral water is recommended for y our w ater/juic e mix , since carbonated drinks increase carbon diox ide levels in the digestiv e tract, thereby reducing the body ’s urge to take in additional fluids. The mineral water should contain sufficient magnesium (approx 100 mg/l) and potassium traces to immediately replenis h any loss. Sw eat als o depletes natrium reserv es in the system, but a regular daily diet sufficiently replaces any losses. Carbonated soft drinks are not recommended because of their high sugar and/or caffeine content and concentrated fruit juices are discouraged as w ell. These juices have high carbohy drate levels that tend to inhibit the body ’s metabolism. Energy drinks don’t necessarily giv e you wings, as advertised, but they cause your kidneys to work ov ertime due to their high caffeine content. Also their lack of mineral content makes them unsuitable for athletes. Hy po– or isotonic drinks, on the other hand, are similar to the body ’s own fluid consistency and tend to be absorbed easier than, for ex ample, concentrated fruit juices. These are essentially carefully formulated carbohy drate cocktails, consisting of fructose, maltodex trine, and soluble starches, as w ell as numerous vitamins, co-enzymes and minerals. These drinks quench thirst while replenishing lost body fluids and maintaining energy levels. Isotonic pow ders should therefore be diluted carefully to enable the body to absorb their ingredients quic kly . Many athletes who participate in sporting activ ities demanding a lot of muscle pow er swear by their protein shakes. These formulas are adv ertised in practically every fitness facility — but is the additional protein intake really necessary? Of course, muscle strength sports require additional proteins; howev er, the recommended daily intake of approx im ately 1.6g/kg body weight can easily be achiev ed through a balanced diet. In addition to protein, these shakes contain a lot of sugar, w hic h may actually be detrimental in w eight training. It is much better to meet the protein needs by eating anim al or plant proteins, such as fresh dairy products, on a daily basis. Like other sports, weight training requires sufficient carbohy drate intake for energy . Again, a fruit juice/mineral w ater-mix offers the ideal combination of energy-producing carbohy drates, water, and minerals . Just make sure the fructose content does not exceed 60g/ l, to ensure optimal absorption, and alw ays drink highly diluted fruit juices. Tip Drink 300-500 ml at least two hours prior to physical activit y, to equaliz e the body’s liquid and energy levels , and an additional 130-300 ml shortly before beginning your sports activit y for extra fluids and energy. During the activ ity, you should replenish your body wit h an additional 130-300 ml every 15-20 minutes, to maintain your levels. As soon as you are finished, you should replenish your fluid and carbohydrate levels with an additional 300-500 ml. You can produce your own refreshing sports drink! Mix approximately 100 ml of fresh lemon juic e with one litre of black tea, and sw eeten the mix with some honey or unrefined sugar for carbohy drates. This article was taken from the web site ‘fitness.com (the global fitness community)’ and was written by Benjamin Goddel reACT-Be lieve Insert 2 �LAST CHANCE TO RECEIVE NEWSLETTER AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay (ACT-B) - Newsletter Survey ***Thank you for your help! If you do not respond to this survey, we will take that to mean that you do not wish to receive our newsletter in the future.*** The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay produces the reACT-Believe Newsletter three times a year. Current HIV/AIDS issues, and activities of ACT-B are highlighted. We have limited funds for printing and distribution, and are looking for alternative means of making the newsletter available to a broader audience, such as sending it by e-mail, and posting it on our web site. We appreciate you taking the time to complete this short survey. Please return it either by fa x to (807) 345-2505, or by mail to: AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay, PO Box 24025, Thunder Bay, ON P7 A 8A9 If you prefer to reply b y e-mail, please e-mail actb@tbaytel.net and include "NEWSLETTER SURVEY" in the subject line. The survey can be sent to you by e-mail for completion and return. Your name _____________________________________________________________ Organization (if any) ______________________________________________________ Address _______________________________________________________________ City, Pro vince, Postal code _________________________________________________ E-mail (if any) ___________________________________________________________ Phone number __________________________________________________________ Fax number (if any) _______________________________________________________ 1. Do you want to continue receiving the reACT-Believe Newsletter? Yes No If no, why not? ____________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 2. For those who have Internet access, we intend to place the newsletters on our web site in Adobe PDF format, and notify people of new issues by e-mail. We can also send the newsletter by e-mail in Adobe PDF format. The Adobe Acrobat Reader needed to view and/or print the newsletter is available free, and can be accessed through a link on our web site. If you have Internet and e-mail access, please provide your e-mail address (and web site address if you ha ve one). [Please note that this will be used only to send you information from ACT-B, and will not be provided to any other agency or individual.] E-mail address: _______________________________________________________ Web site: ____________________________________________________________ Please place check beside your choice for getting the newsletter: Send me the newsletter by e-mail in PDF format Send me notification by e-mail and I’ll access it on the web site 3. For individuals or agencies without Internet or e-mail access, we can produce a limited number of print copies of the newsletter. Do you need to receive the newsletter in this format? If yes, be sure to include your mailing address in the section provided earlier in the survey. Yes No � 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 14 Issue 3 - Fall/Winter 2001/2002 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 2001 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/17/2702/2002_reACT-Believe_vol15no1.pdf 561357af624527f4428c7d7c20adfa3c PDF Text Text The New sletter of The A IDS Committee o f Thunder Bay re-ACT Believe Volume 15, Issue 1 Spring 2002 Fighting for More Funds: CCORA INSIDE THIS ISSUE: On January 30, 2002 the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay [ACT-B] took part in the launch of a new national network - the Canadian Coalition of Organizations Responding to AIDS [CCORA]. ACT-B is a founding member of CCORA. Fundraising News 2 Fundraising continued 3 Education Update 4 Education continued 5 The Extra Mile—News from the Volunteer Department 6 Here and There 7 Parting glance Have You Signed the Petition? Please come into the ACT-B office and sign the petition asking the federal government to increase funding for the Canadian AIDS Strategy to fight HIV/ AIDS. We need your signature. Petition forms are at the reception desk. 8 CCORA has one goal: to pressure the Federal Government to increase funding for HIV/AIDS. Federal financial support flows through the Canadian Strategy on HIV/AIDS. The Canadian Strategy funds everything the Federal government does in response to AIDS: research, national partnerships - like the Canadian AIDS Society - the Federal bureaucracy responding to AIDS and community based work through its AIDS Community Action Program [ACAP]. The amount is $42.2 million dollars. The Federal funding has not changed since 1994 - when Brian Mulroney was still Prime Minister. The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Canada [and the world] is, however, unstable and constantly changing. In 1990 there were approximately 30,000 Canadians living with HIV/AIDS. Today there are 50,000. There are approximately 11 new cases of HIV transmission each day in Canada. HIV has moved rapidly into some of the most vulnerable groups in our communities - many struggling to meet the basic needs of daily living, let alone the added challenges and costs of living with HIV. CCORA has attracted broad-based membership from across the country. It includes community-based groups like ACT-B, as well as researchers, professional organizations and people living with HIV/AIDS. CCORA has developed an advocacy strategy. Locally, this includes making our case to our two Federal MP's Stan Dromisky and Joe Comuzzi, as well as collecting signatures on a public petition. To date, we have collected more than 1,500 names and we want more. If you have not signed one of our petitions, please call our office or drop in and add your name to a petition at our front desk. While there is no cure for HIV/AIDS, it remains 100% treatable and 100% preventable. The Federal government must increase its support, so that all of us can do the work that needs to be done. �May to September 2002 Spring Cleaning means...... Time to get rid of odds & ends Your donated household and other items can help us raise funds for our programs and services. All types of donations accepted such as dishes, knickknacks, crafts supplies, vintage coats, games, movies, books, etc. We appreciate the items that you are able to donate but reserve the right to not accept items we feel will not sell. Donations will be accepted until May 27th. To arrange for a pickup or drop-off of items please call Crystal at 345-1516 Yard Sale Dates: June 1st & August 17th St. John's Anglican Church, 226 Pearl St. Cash Register Receipts AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay is collecting A&P cash register receipts as a new fundraising initiative. ACT-B will receive $1.00 for every $450.00 in cash register tapes collected. Start collecting receipts & help raise funds for ACT-B! Tapes can be dropped off at the office, 217 S. Algoma St. Taking steps across Thunder Bay... AIDS Walk Canada Sunday, September 22, 2002 Join us in making our local Walk another success! Pledge forms and team packages are available at the office. The behind the scenes crew needs YOU! If you have a few hours of spare time & would like to help organize this annual event... Join the Walk Committee. Call Crystal at 345-1516 for further information. �VOLUME 15, ISSUE 1 Page 3 Membership - Supporting our programs and services Our membership symbolises the support and strength ACT-B has in the community. As a member, you have shared in our growth and many accomplishments. We want to continue to growth and share our success by encouraging others to join the team. Your membership fee contributes to the Emergency Financial Assistance Program. Every dollar that is contributed to this fund goes directly to helping people with HIV/AIDS and their families. As a member you have a voice in the future direction of the agency by supporting the aims, goals and objectives of ACT-B. If you would like to take an active role in the agency's growth, you are eligible to stand for nomination to the Board of Directors, as well as the option of nominating and electing others. As a special bonus, all members receive our reACT-Believe newsletter providing up-to-date information on HIV/AIDS, treatment and notices about fundraising and special events. With your assistance, we can help our membership grow. Share with others what it means to be a member of ACT-B and how your membership directly helps people in our community with HIV/AIDS. For further information, please call Crystal at 345-1516. Yes, I want to be a member of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Name: Address: Please make your cheque payable to: AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Mailing Address: P.O. Box 24025 Thunder Bay ON P7A 8A9 Phone: 345-1516 Fax: 345-2505 Charitable Registration # 106689847 RR001 City: Postal Code: Phone: (Work) (Home) E-mail address: Basic Membership: Supporting Membership: I would also like to donate: $ When calling, do you prefer we use discretion? Would you like to receive information by e-mail? Would like to become a volunteer of ACT-B? Yes Yes Yes No No No �EDUCATION UPDATE David Belrose. Education Coordinator FINDINGS FROM THE IMAGE PROJECT In our newsletter of June 2001, I reported on the Image Project that was underway. Since then, the surveys were completed, data has been analyzed, and steps have been taken to follow through on the project. Some of the developments that have resulted from the project are as follows: • We used survey results in the creating of a prevention project funding proposal. • A new agency name and logo are undergoing focus testing at this time. • We have developed a communication plan for the agency. • A marketing strategy will feature messages influenced by the results of the surveys; for example, correct information on disease and modes of transmission, social attitudes, and agency services. • Education and training sessions will emphasize some of the areas highlighted by the survey results, as above. • This project was a good example of collaborative community-based research in action, with the involvement of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay, CLEAR (Community-Linked Evaluation AIDS Research) at McMaster University, Lakehead University Social Work Department, and McEachern Marketing. • The project was selected for a poster presentation at the Canadian Association for HIV/AIDS Research (CAHR) Conference in Winnipeg, April 24-28, 2002. Here are some of the highlights and results from the surveys. Purpose of the study To use an outreach/needs assessment approach to determine community perceptions and needs, and to determine community knowledge about the agency and its services. Specific study questions were: 1. What are the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about HIV/AIDS in the general community and high-risk groups (youth, bar frequenters, aboriginal youth)? 2. What is the knowledge about ACTB and the services it provides and its importance to the community? Methods This was a survey that was conducted in two parts: over a five week period by outreach (going into bars, bus stations, malls, campuses), and by telephone. Results Characteristics of the Sample: • a total of 467 participants completed the survey (397 by outreach, 70 by telephone) • no statistically significant differences in responses to the knowledge and attitude questionnaires, the groups were collapsed and analyzed together • participants in the outreach survey had fewer males, were younger; fewer working full-time, and lower educational levels -to be expected as aimed at a younger population Page 4 R E - AC T B E L I E V E �VOLUME 15, ISSUE 1 • the majority of the sample were young (49% age 14-24, 21% age 25-34); and more females (273) participated compared to males (192) Knowledge of HIV/AIDS • • • • • • • • • basic transmission was well understood (99% for unprotected sexual intercourse and 98% for sharing needles) 68% did not know that AIDS can damage the brain 36.8% did not know that AIDS is a collection of diseases that happen after a person has been infected with HIV 19.1% did not know that there are medications available that can lengthen the life of a person infected with HIV 24.2% thought that there is currently a vaccine available to the public to protect against infection with HIV 22.9% thought HIV could be passed by sharing plates, forks, and glasses with some one with HIV 49.7% thought HIV could be transmitted by mosquitoes and other insects 36.4% thought HIV could be passed by kissing someone with HIV on the mouth 28.3% felt that they could get HIV by being cared for by a nurse, doctor, dentist and other healthcare worker with HIV. Attitudes and beliefs • • • • • most respondents indicated positive attitudes and beliefs 44.5% indicated everyone should be forced to be tested for HIV 29.8% indicated persons with HIV should be reported to the authorities 26.2% felt that needle/syringe exchanges should not be promoted to reduce the risk of HIV transmission. When asked whether they thought they were at risk of becoming infected with HIV, the greatest number of those indicating yes or not sure is in the younger age groups, with the exception of the 55-64 year olds with 20% indicating being unsure. Knowledge about AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay • • • • • • 67.5% of the total interviewed indicated knew of the agency youth (ages 14-24) have less knowledge about the agency 82% indicated it was very important, 17% some what important and only 1% indicating it is not at all important to have an ASO in the community Knowledge of services with counselling and the HIV/AIDS hot line being the best known and the financial and food bank services being the least well known. posters, flyers, newspaper and TV were the most frequently reported methods of hearing about the agency (of the 67.5% who knew of the agency) TV, magazines, newspapers and displays in bus shelters were the most frequently reported way of receiving messages about HIV/AIDS Page 5 �The Extra Mile News from the Volunteer Department Selly Pajamaki, Volunteer Coordinator Here’s what’s happening in the coming months: *NOSFA Film Night— May 16 *Yard Sale—June 1 *Tag Day—June 29 *Yard Sale—Aug 17 *AIDS Walk—Sept 22 *Opening Doors Conference—Oct *Visions & Lights Film Festival—Oct 11-13 *Tag Day—Nov 16 *AIDS Awareness Week—Nov 24-30 *World AIDS Day/ Seattle Coffee Day— Dec 1 If you would like to volunteer for any of these events, please call Selly at 345-1516. Thank you to all our volunteers! Page 6 ACT-B Names 2002 Volunteer of the Year On Wednesday, April 24, ACT-B held their annual Volunteer Appreciation Event at the Port Arthur Ukrainian Prosvita Hall. Entertainment included “Getting to Know You” bingo, improv comedy by the Wayward Clams, and music and song by Sheila Berry. Certificates and pins were presented to many long-time volunteers who have volunteered with ACT-B on a continuous basis since first signing up. These included: 10 years—Marge Cross, Marla Hollingsworth, Rob Shepherd; 11 years—Brad Hetsler; 12 years—Sheila Berry, Joanne Books, Anne Ciemny, Denyse Culligan, Mary Lang-Atkinson, Gail Linklater, Sonya Matijek; 13 years—Rick Atkinson, Ida Korhonen; 15 years—Lawrence Korhonen; 16 years— Fred Ball; and 17 years—David Belrose, Michael Sobota. 171 volunteers gave 6,896 hours to ACT-B in 2001. We are proud and happy to have so many wonderful, dedicated people sharing their time and talents with us! Our sincerest thanks to all of you! Special gifts were presented to groups of volunteers, including receptionists, drivers, bingo workers and bingo bakers. The highlight of the evening was the naming of the 2002 Volunteer of the Year. That honour was given to Sherry Britton. Sherry has given many hours to the AIDS Committee. She is a board member and serves on committees. She also helps out in Fundraising by working Tag Day, the Yard Sale, the Spaghetti Supper, the AIDS Walk, and at bingo. She also works at display and information tables for us. She is willing to try out just about any task we ask of her. She has a great sense of humour and is a lot of fun to be around. She is also dedicated to the fight against HIV/AIDS. The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay is very proud to name Sherry Britton as the 2002 Volunteer of the Year! R E - AC T B E L I E V E �VOLUME 15, ISSUE 1 Page 7 Here and There... Our world at a glance If we could shrink the earth’s population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all the existing human ratios remaining the same, it would look something like the following: There would be: 57 Asians 21 Europeans 14 from the Western Hemisphere, both north and south 8 Africans 52 would be female 48 would be male 70 would be non-white 30 would be white 70 would be non-Christian 30 would be Christian 89 would be heterosexual 11 would be homosexual 6 people would possess 59% of the entire world’s wealth and all 6 would be from the United States 80 would be living in substandard housing 70 would be unable to read 50 would suffer from malnutrition 1 would be near death 1 would be near birth 1 would have a college education 1 would own a computer The above is taken from the January/February 2002 Transition magazine of the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities 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 RPO Downtown North Thunder Bay, ON P7A 8A9 Or, e-mail us at: actb@tbaytel.net Visit us on the internet at: www.tbaytel.net/actb reACT-Believe Newsletter In order to cut production and mailing costs, we are now posting our newsletter online. It is in Adobe PDF format so it can be read online or printed out in hard copy. If you are now receiving our newsletter by snail mail and you have an email address, PLEASE send us your email address so we can add you to the email newsletter list. This will help reduce costs and allow us to keep producing the newsletter. Send it to actb@tbaytel.net For Information About AIDS or HIV Infection: Call the AIDS Hotline at 1-800-668-2437 About Superior Points: Call 624-2005, 625-8830 or 625-8831 About Anonymous HIV Testing in Thunder Bay Call 625-5981 About Regular HIV Testing Call the STD Clinics 625-5944 or 622-7585 About Counselling or Referrals Call the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay 345-1516 About HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Call Catie (Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange) 1-800-263-1638 Service bilingue disponible 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 Network 1-800-263-1638 HIV/AIDS Treatment Information email: info@catie.ca catie internet: www.catie.ca Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange Attention all clients, volunteers and visitors to the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay. We are a ‘scent-free’ building. Please do not wear colognes, perfumes, aftershave, or scented makeup or hairspray when visiting our premises. They have been known to cause allergic reactions for staff, clients and volunteers. �Parting Glance The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay would like to acknowledge the United Way of Thunder Bay for supporting our Emergency Financial Assistance Program. ACT-B applied for and received funding for this unique program through the United Way’s Community Response Grants. This is a wonderful community partnership that in turn will directly help people with HIV/AIDS and their families. Frequently Asked Questions About HIV/AIDS Question #1 The difference between HIV and AIDS AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. AIDS is the advanced stage of the disease caused by HIV. HIV attacks the body’s immune system. Over time the immune system is weakened and an HIV-infected person can become sick with different illnesses. The HIV-positive person is then diagnosed with AIDS. How many AIDS cases? Up to December 1998, 16,236 people in Canada have been diagnosed with AIDS. This number doesn’t include people who are infected with HIV but have not yet become sick. There have been 11,525 reported deaths attributed to AIDS in Canada. According to the statistics for AIDS in Canada, fewer people are being diagnosed with AIDS each year. This is probably due to better treatment for HIV-positive people which delays the onset of AIDS. The number of people dying each year from AIDS-related illnesses is also declining. There has been a 90% drop in the number of reported AIDS-related deaths from 1995 to 1998. Again, this decline is probably due to better treatments. New HIV infections It is difficult to know the exact number of Canadians infected with HIV because many people have not been tested for HIV or have been tested anonymously. The latest research suggests that, up to the end of 1996, there were approximately 40,100 people living with HIV in Canada. Of this number, an estimated 15,000 did not know that they were HIV positive. Each year in Canada, there are an estimated 4,200 new infections. The nature of the epidemic is changing dramatically. Prior to 1986, 90% of all infections occurred among men who have sex with men. In 1996, new transmissions among men who have sex with men declined to 30% of all new infections. Transmission via injection drug use has increased from 24% in 1986 to 47% in 1996. Prior to 1986, women accounted for only 10% of new transmissions. In 1996, women accounted for 23% of all new infections. In addition more heterosexual males and young people are becoming infected with HIV than ever before. Page 8 ACT-B Advisory Council Richard Atkinson Fred Ball Gail Linklater Dr. Gordon Milne Karen O’Gorman Pat Piaskowski Diana Smith Richard Thompson Nicky Tittley Carl Triskle Rev. Don Uhryniw Kinna-Aweya Legal Clinic Director, Regional Public Health Laboratory Crossroads Centre Family Physician HIV Program Consultant ARF Infection Control, TB Regional Hospital Public Health Nurse, Thunder Bay District Health Unit Superior Points Harm Reduction Coordinator Infection Control/ Safety, St. Joseph’s Care Group ACT-B Board of Directors Current River United Church, Council of Clergy ACT-B Board of Directors Sherry Britton Pam Delgaty Heather Graham Sarah Perreault Carl Triskle Carri-Anne Whidden Michael Croft Dennis Eeles Rob MacKay, President Ruth Racic Don Uhryniw Don Young ACT-B Staff Christa Alsch David Belrose Sheila Berry Stuart Boland Joanne Books Charlene Burford Lawrence Korhonen Selly Pajamaki Crystal Porteous Michael Sobota Secretary Education Coordinator Support Services Coordinator IDU Outreach Worker Counselling Conference Coordinator Support Worker/Health Promoter Administration Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator Fundraising Coordinator Executive Director Re-ACT-Believe Contributors Selly Pajamaki Editor ACT-B staff & volunteers 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. R E - AC T B E L I E V E �A Word or Two from the Health Promoter (Charlene Burford) Spring is in the air, then it isn't, then it is again -- ahh, the beauty of the North. The warmer weather brings about plans for the Community Garden. Last year Mother's Cupboard -- the Emergency Food Bank for HIV positive service users -- Committee decided to venture into the earth and grow fresh produce for clients; we used a 15x20 foot plot at the County Park "Our Kids Count" Community Garden. Plenty was learned about gardening and organizing; the people who received the vegetables were ecstatic (no exaggeration -- they were seriously delighted). We have decided to repeat the Garden project this year! So there's the pitch. And here's the plea. I could use all the help I can get! Anything from seeds to bedding plants, fertilizer to watering cans, gardening wisdom and physical bodies. You got it! I'm looking for volunteers. There will be two "soil prepping" work parties -- Sat., May 11 from 11:00-2:00 and Wed., May 15 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. (if needed); planting will follow the full moon, Mon., May 27 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Wed., May 29 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. (if needed). Once the seeds and plants are in the ground, there will be one day a week (later once every second week) that a volunteer is responsible for watering and weeding (1 hr. commitment each day). Children are welcome to accompany and help out. Daytime tending visits to the Garden are totally acceptable. In fact, the County Park "Our Kids Count" Community Garden creates a summer schedule to notify other members of weekly tending days (i.e. last year, Tuesdays 9:00-12:00). This gives members an opportunity to meet each other and share garden wisdom and experience; people will help each other out in the plots and kids play together. The scheduled meeting days are identified as a courtesy, there is no requirement to attend. I am very excited to begin the Garden. I hope others will become excited and join this totally satisfying project. Not only do you get to play in the dirt, watch the wee seeds grow into plants, you also get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing how much the fresh vegetables are appreciated. It is difficult to articulate the moment when tomatoes, lettuce or carrots are handed over -- genuine giving. If you are interested in gardening to help people who are HIV positive (and their family), give Selly (volunteer coordinator) or myself a call at the office (345-1516). reACT-Believe Insert 1 �A Word or Two from the Health Promoter Con’t. (Charlene Burford) Qualifier: The information presented is not necessarily the opinions of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay, rather, the article is meant to inform and provoke thought of it's readers. As I was preparing to write this article, I visited many websites related to alternate health and medical practises. I have come to the conclusion that there are a bazillion sites! Y'all are welcome to forward me the names of reputable “health” related Internet sites that I can use and pass on to the readers. The flu, the common cold, allergies – these ailments have smacked people of our region. I’m guessing many were given antibiotic or other prescriptions to help them get through or overcome the illness. This got me thinking about western medicine and how quick some doctors are to prescribe a pill or liquid to "get rid of" sniffles, congestion, abdominal discomfort and lethargy. This is not an attack on medical doctors, just my inquisitive nature at work. A health article entitled: "Doctors: Strep bacteria suddenly resisting common antibiotic" caught my attention (website: canada.com/health/fromthewires - Apr 18, '02 by Linda A. Johnson). Rather than quoting the majority of the article, you can cruise to the site using your own, a friend's or a library computer. In a nutshell, the article referred to an outbreak in the U.S. of antibiotic-resistant strep throat. It concerned doctors because "Until now, antibiotics have easily killed group A streptococcus, the bacteria that cause strep throat and life-threatening septic infections, so doctors at the hospital were startled by its sudden, widespread resistance to widely used erythromycin. The drug is commonly given to people allergic to penicillin." In her article, Johnson went on to state how there has been an increase of resistance to other forms of antibiotics due to heartier strep bacteria. "Doctors have long warned that overuse of antibiotics is making some germs immune." For years, the medical field has known about "drug resistant "superbugs", bacteria that defy all known antibiotics… Bacteria are very smart--they learn to develop resistance" (website: all-natural.com/news). I wonder how many of us common folk may have missed this antibiotic vs. superbug concern. Yes, it has appeared in the media, but it is easy to brush off the information presented claiming rare cases or geographically too far away to be a threat. As stated in the articles I read, there is no safety in distance since we have a very mobile society (i.e. Africa one day, Canada the next -- basically sharing the recycled breathing space of many countries). The medical profession has taken steps to reduce antibiotic resistance by imposing regulations limiting the use of extra strong antibiotics (i.e. macrolide, Finland 1990) to ensure it is effective when absolutely needed. In 1998, U.S. researchers were looking for a more effective antibiotic -- one that doesn't kill off your helpful bacteria before attacking the harmful bacteria --I am uncertain of the progress. Alternative or complementary health approaches have also been incorporated into some medical doctor's practise. So you see, I am not suggesting people suddenly quit taking the antibiotics prescribed by their doctors, just be informed and seek out what you don't know. Ask your doctor, talk to your friends, search the Internet, stop in at health food or nutritional supplement stores, visit the library and believe you are worth protecting. reACT-Believe Insert 2 � 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 15 Issue 1 - Spring 2002 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 2002 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/17/2703/2002_reACT-Believe_vol15no2.pdf 10d0c2c01a9e2ac044ec7dc4be58dc0b PDF Text Text Re-ACT Believe Volume 15 Issue 2 AIDS THUNDER BAY is Part Of The Answer Summer 2002 In late May, 1999, at a Board and Staff retreat, the idea came forward that ACTB needed a fresh look. It was suggested that we consider changing our logo. This simple suggestion launched what became The Image Project. It would last for the next three years and involve us in much more than a simple logo change, though that is one of the outcomes. INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Fundraising News 2 Fundraising continued 3 Education Update 4 Education continued 5 The Extra Mile—News from the Volunteer Department 6 Here and There 7 Parting glance 8 Have You Sent In Your Email Address? Our newsletter is now available on-line. Please send us your email address so we can let you know when the next issue comes out. Unless you notify us that you do not have an email address, the next issue will be your last hard copy of our newsletter. Please call or email us your address, send it to: actb@tbaytel.net The Image Project engaged partners in community research to find out what people in Thunder Bay knew about HIV/AIDS and about us. Those partners were Lakehead University, a research investigator from The CLEAR Unit at McMaster University in Hamilton, and McEachern Marketing. Together with a small army of volunteers, broad surveying was done of people living in Thunder Bay. The results showed us that, in general, people had correct information about the “basics” of HIV/AIDS, how it was transmitted and ways to prevent getting it. However, they were less aware of our agency and what we do. This information was provided in a report to our members at our Annual General Meeting in November, 2001. We then set out to improve on our image. We know we are an important source for HIV/AIDS information and services—and we wanted others to recognize that. We struck a small committee to develop possible names and suggestions for images that would make us easier to identify and remember. Options for names and possible logos were developed by McEachern Marketing and another round of consultations began. This process involved meetings of staff, our board, focus-group sessions with partners and other local health care professionals as well as two meetings “AIDS continues to pose with clients. These results were reported to our complex questions to our board of directors who made the final approval. community. AIDS The results you see on this newsletter. Thunder Bay is part of the answer.” Michael Sobota We wanted a name that was simple, clean easy to Executive Director understand and to find in the phone book. Though HIV is causal to AIDS, we knew that people identify AIDS as the term for what has become a global epidemic. We wanted the red ribbon to be part of our logo. The red ribbon has become the most immediately recognizable symbol in the struggle against AIDS. We chose AIDS Thunder Bay with an active red ribbon as our visual identity to lead us into the future in this work. We thank all of you who helped us during the past three years. We promise you more and better communications in the coming months to further assist you in knowing who we are and what we offer. AIDS continues to present complex questions to our community. AIDS Thunder Bay is part of the answer. �FUN-raising Events Cash Register Receipts We’ve had an incredible response to this new project. With your help we have collected close to $28,000 worth of receipts. Some of our members have placed envelopes at their workstations and are getting their co-workers to collect. This project runs with the calendar year so there is still time to collect more receipts. Just a reminder, the collection box is in our office lobby. Annual Silent Auction August to December Come & Get Lei-d! Just because summer is over doesn’t mean it’s time to stop having fun! Friday the 13th is our night at the Voo-Doo Lounge and the first 50 people in the door get leis! It’s a beach party! Get Wild & Funky… Dress in your summer duds one last time! Now’s your chance to show off that hard-earned tan as part of the Best Tan Contest. The winner will receive a rainbow beach towel! Runner-ups will get rainbow leis. There will also be other fun draws throughout the night. Friday, September 13th, 8:00 p.m.—2:00 p.m. Voodoo Lounge, 24 South Cumberland Street Cover Charge $3.00 At the Annual General Meeting in November it has become a tradition to hold a silent auction raising funds for the Emergency Financial Assistance Program. It has proven to be a great success each year with our attendees purchasing items for holiday gifts. Each year we receive a number of unique and wonderful donations that have included leather stockings, new books, pictures, prints, and movies! If you would like to donate something for the auction, please call Crystal at 345-1516 or drop it off at the office. Bowling Anyone? One strike! Two strikes! Three strikes in a row!! WOW! ...and you get a TURKEY?? That’s right! Now’s the time to begin thinking about our up-coming bowling tournament! We are thinking of planning a tournament in the new year and would love to hear from all of you. So, start practicing your stances and get those bowling balls all shined up, because there’s a turkey waiting for you! If you are interested in taking part in this fun-filled event or receiving information please call Crystal at 345-1516 or drop us a line at actb@tbaytel.net. Remember, the more people that sign up the betterRthe event! E - AC T B E L I E V E Page 2 R E - AC T B E L I E V E �Page 3 VOLUME 15, ISSUE 2 The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay has partnered with the Centre for Addictions & Mental Health and the Canadian Mental Health Association to create the first ever Visions & Light Film Festival. Held over October 4-6, 2002 the festival aims to Educate, Enlighten and Entertain about Mental Health, Addiction and HIV/AIDS, through the shared experience of provocative and celebratory films. For further Information about the Festival please call Margaret Frenette at 345-8110. IRIS (drama, Great Britain). An English philosopher and novelist struggles to cope with a hunger for experience. Embarking on numerous affairs with men and women, young Iris must cope with her elder’s Alzheimer’s Disease. (Kate Winslet, Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent) REQUIEM FOR A DREAM (drama, USA). The drug-induced utopias of four Coney Island individuals are shattered when their addictions become stronger. At the centre is “an operatic performance by Ellen Burstyn” (Liam Lacey, The Globe and Mail). PERFECT SON (drama, Canada) Two estranged brothers reach a reconciliation. Theo is a recovering drug addict and unpublished writer; his brother Ryan is a successful lawyer who is dying from AIDS. Colm Feore as Ryan is “the real strength of the movie” (Liam Lacey, The Globe and Mail). BEST IN SHOW (comedy, USA). The “tonic” for festivalgoers who may be wanting something light after emerging from troubling themes, this film recounts the story of a few eccentric dog-owners preparing their precious pure-bred pooches for a big show. (Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy) Ticket Prices: Gen. Admission - $7 NOSFA Members - $5 Four Pack - $15 Gold Passes - $30 Gala Reception - $10 (includes admission to IRIS) * Films among the ten to be screened are subject to availability Watch the Chronicle Journal for the festival guide and up-dates about the web site! AIDS Walk Sunday, September 22, 2002 Lakehead University, The Outpost (A reminder to use the Balmoral Street Entrance) Check-In: 12:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m Walk Starts: 2:00 p.m. Open Community Rhythm Circle by Sean Jesseau 12:30 pm - 1:30 p.m. 1st Prize: Trip for two on WestJet Airlines 2nd Prize: Hot tub rental - Hot Tub Express 3rd Prize: Gift package - Wabakimi Wild Waters Top Team: 2 hour Cruise for 12 with Sailing Thunder Bay Register Today! www.aidswalkcanada.org Call 345-1516 Special thanks to local sponsors: Grand Portage Lodge & Casino, Janzen’s Pharmacy, The Royal Bank , & WestJet Airlines. Media sponsors: The Chronicle Journal & Thunder Bay Post �EDUCATION UPDATE David Belrose - Education Coordinator Smart Choices Outreach Project and Evaluation (SCOPE) A new prevention project is underway at AIDS Thunder Bay. SCOPE is a three-year prevention project that will build on our previous outreach projects (Targeted Prevention Initiative and Substance Use Outreach Project). The project will target substance using men and women, primarily heterosexual, with a focus on marginalized populations (persons at risk). Based on our evaluation of the previous work, the project will incorporate peer outreach, a performance art outreach element, and a social marketing campaign. This project is funded by the AIDS Community Action Program, Health Canada for the three year period. We welcome Denise Olson as the SCOPE Outreach Worker who will coordinate the project. Denise has experience with a variety of community projects in Northwestern Ontario, and we look forward to her involvement with this project. What are the activities this project will undertake? A major component of this project will be the use of peers to conduct outreach in the community. By including a strong training element with the help of community partners, and recruiting new peers on an annual basis, we will develop a network of knowledgeable peers in the community. The performance art component is subject to modification annually, and may include production and presentation of a short video, development and presentation of a short theatre piece, or other elements based on consultations with the affected populations. The social marketing component will be developed in concert with our Injection Drug Use Outreach campaigns and may include transit ads, posters, bus shelter ads, radio ads, and other elements as appropriate. SCOPE NEWS From Denise Olson Thank you staff and volunteers for your patience and support during my first weeks as SCOPE coordinator. Indeed I feel very fortunate to work alongside such inspired and inspiring individuals. IRIS the Virus Our peer outreach group will soon be visiting local bars and is presently Condom developing two characters, Iris the HIV Virus & Condom Man, our very Man own super hero. I am thrilled to announce that I will be working with the second year film students at Confederation College on a video for the SCOPE program. Professor Dennis Austin states that this group of students is especially bright and innovative. This will be a wonderful journey with much fun and excitement. The SCOPE project will evolve and take shape and I am sure transform along the way, we may ruffle a few feathers, but then we will know we have caught someone’s attention. 11th Northwestern Ontario Regional HIV/AIDS Counselling Conference October 17th & 18th, 2002, Victoria Inn, Thunder Bay. Registration: $40.00 Fees waived for people living with HIV/AIDS. Registration Deadline: September 20th, 2002. For more information, please contact Daina Maslach, Counselling Conference Co-ordinator, at 345-1516. Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, AIDS Bureau. Page 4 R E - AC T B E L I E V E �Page 5 VOLUME 15, ISSUE 2 CCORA Re-energized, Ready for Fall Advocacy Steering Committee Plans Upcoming Activities The Canadian Coalition of Organizations Responding to AIDS (CCORA) has re-launched its advocacy campaign to urge the government to substantially increase funding for the Canadian Strategy on HIV/AIDS (CSHA). This will remain the singular goal of CCORA’s efforts, until the federal government responds in an appropriate way to Canadians living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. CCORA’s new Steering Committee met in Toronto on Friday, August 9th to plan advocacy activities for the upcoming months. The outcome of the meeting was a five-month time line of activities that marks major events such as AIDS Walk Canada and AIDS Awareness Week, but also incorporates possible scenarios, such as a Fall mini-budget from the federal government. Advocacy around the Romanow Commission Final Report, the results of two upcoming studies and a meeting between the Health Minister and representatives from the Canadian AIDS Society (CAS), is also planned. Drawing from the strong mandate provided by its members at the Annual General Meeting held in Ottawa in late June, CAS has moved forward as the Secretariat for CCORA by initiating and hosting the first meeting of the volunteer Steering Committee. This committee was developed after a call for volunteers was extended to all CCORA members. It will be responsible for planning advocacy activities and holding monthly teleconferences to evaluate the progress made. CAS will work closely with the Steering Committee and all other interested CCORA members to ensure that the government is hearing the message that current funding for HIV/AIDS is both inadequate and inappropriate. CCORA’s plan of action combines activities lead by CAS staff with ones that must be undertaken by the entire membership to have maximum impact. For example, the CSHA will be the primary focus of CAS’ message to Minister of Health, Anne McLellan when Board and staff representatives meet with her in September. However, the efforts of all CCORA members are needed to collect signatures on the Petition to Double the Strategy and meet with Members of Parliament. CCORA continues to be a collaborative effort on the part of a diverse number of HIV/AIDS stakeholders across the country. While different organizations can participate in a variety of ways, relative to their own time and resources, it is important the CCORA is as broad a coalition as possible, so that the government can see what a powerful constituency is represented. Please consider adding your organization’s name to the more than fifty groups demanding a better response from the government in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Contact Liz Scanlon, at lizs@cdnaids.ca for more information. A few parting words: Well, I just can’t leave the AIDS Committee, now AIDS Thunder Bay, without saying a few things. Foremost, I thank all of you who have been in my sphere for the last 12 plus years, for each of you has been important and meaningful. You have taught me so much that I’m ready to take on a bigger chunk of life. I take each of you in my heart with an enriched wisdom about life and relationships. The pictures and mementos that I have collected over the years will be carefully preserved in my photo album and shoe box so I can browse through them in those dreamy moments when I need a heart fix. When I began with ACT-B, I had no idea of the depth of learning and richness that was to come. Personally and professionally there have been many changes working within the HIV/AIDS community, locally and in a broader context. I am hoping for more positive changes in care and treatment of people who are living with this disease. As a society, there is still a long way to go to get rid of the stigmas and prejudice still prevalent two decades after AIDS emerged in North America. Life is precious, relationships are precious. Make each moment, each day count. I believe we are measured by our own actions. So, live life to the fullest with integrity and respect for yourselves and others. Thank you for the “opportunity”. I come from the city with a giant heart—I take that with me everywhere I journey. Be well —– Sheila �The Extra Mile News from the Volunteer Department Selly Pajamaki, Volunteer Coordinator Here’s what’s happening in the coming months: *AIDS Walk—Sept 22 *Opening Doors Conference—Oct 1718 *Visions & Lights Film Festival—Oct 4-6 *Tag Day—Nov 16 *AIDS Awareness Week—Nov 24-30 *World AIDS Day/ Seattle Coffee Day— Dec 1 If you would like to volunteer for any of these events, please call Selly at 345-1516. Thank you to all our volunteers! Page 6 Volunteer Activities It’s been a very busy summer with 2 Yard Sales, a Tag Day, a display at Summer in the Parks, a Car Wash, preparation for the upcoming AIDS Walk, the Bingo Volunteers Appreciation Event, Volunteer Orientation & AIDS 101, a drivers’ meeting, and all the regular volunteer happenings at AIDS Thunder Bay. This busyness will continue on into the fall with the AIDS Walk, the Visions & Lights Film Festival, the Opening Doors Counselling Conference, another Tag Day, the Annual General Meeting, AIDS Awareness Week and World AIDS Day. There will be volunteering opportunities as part of all of these events. If you’re interested in any, or all, of them, call Selly at 345-1516. Our second Yard Sale of the summer was another great success in spite of (or perhaps partly because of) the rain and windy conditions that day. Thank you to all our volunteers for helping to make this event fun and successful, we really appreciate your participation. We have openings for volunteers to staff our reception desk. This position is very important! Our receptionists are the first person seen when a visitor comes through our doors. We want you to be that smiling face. If you can’t take a permanent shift, don’t worry. How about training for this position and filling in where you can? Build your skills while spending time with us. No experience is necessary, we will train you. Regular shifts are 4 hours, morning or afternoon. If you would like to join the reception team, give Selly a call at 345-1516. We also have openings for volunteers at bingo, some shifts are only 2 1/2 hours. Bingos are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month beginning at 5 p.m. You can sign up for a regular shift or only work an occasional bingo. If you’d like to join a fun-loving group of people, give Selly a call . R E - AC T B E L I E V E �VOLUME 15, ISSUE 2 Page 7 Here and There... It’s Membership Time Again reACT-Believe Newsletter Is your membership up-to-date? This year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place in November. In order for you to vote at the meeting, your membership must be in good standing. Your application for membership has to be approved by the Board of Directors 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting. Therefore, you must become a member by the end of September to be eligible to vote. If you would like to become a member or renew your membership, please fill out the attached form and mail or fax it back to: AIDS Thunder Bay P.O. Box 24025 Thunder Bay, ON P7A 8A9 Phone #: 345-1516 Fax #: 345-2505 In order to cut production and mailing costs, we are now posting our newsletter online. It is in Adobe PDF format so it can be read online or printed out in hard copy. If you are now receiving our newsletter by snail mail and you have an email address, PLEASE send us your email address so we can add you to the email newsletter list. This will help reduce costs and allow us to keep producing the newsletter. Send it to actb@tbaytel.net Or, bring your completed form into the office at 217 S. Algoma St., Thunder Bay, Ontario About Anonymous HIV Testing in Thunder Bay Call 625-5981 or 624-2000 Name: ____________________________________ About Regular HIV Testing Call the Sexual Health Clinics 625-5976 or 624-2000 Address: __________________________________ __________________________________ Postal Code: _______________________________ Phone #: (Work)____________(Home)___________ When calling, would you prefer us to use discretion? Yes _____ No _____ Would you like to receive information by email? Yes _____ No _____ Basic membership $10.00 Supporting membership $25.00 I would also like to donate $_____ 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 AIDS 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 RPO Downtown North Thunder Bay, ON P7A 8A9 Or, e-mail us at: actb@tbaytel.net For Information About AIDS or HIV Infection: Call the AIDS Hotline at 1-800-668-2437 About Superior Points: Call 624-2005, 625-8830 or 625-8831 About Counselling or Referrals Call AIDS Thunder Bay 345-1516 About HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Call Catie (Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange) 1-800-263-1638 Service bilingue disponible 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 Network 1-800-263-1638 HIV/AIDS Treatment Information email: info@catie.ca catie internet: www.catie.ca Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange Attention all clients, volunteers and visitors to the AIDS Thunder Bay office. We are a ‘scentfree’ building. Please do not wear colognes, perfumes, aftershave, or scented makeup or hairspray when visiting our premises. They have been known to cause allergic reactions for staff, clients and volunteers. �Parting Glance AIDS Thunder Bay would like to acknowledge the United Way of Thunder Bay for supporting our Emergency Financial Assistance Program. ATB applied for and received funding for this unique program through the United Way’s Community Response Grants. This is a wonderful community partnership that in turn will directly help people with HIV/AIDS and their families. Frequently Asked Questions About HIV/AIDS Question #2 Who can get HIV or AIDS? Anyone who has unprotected sex or shares needles could become infected with HIV. If you think that HIV/AIDS only affects gay men or injection drug users, you’re wrong. You are not protected from HIV because you are straight, or young, or a woman, or living in a rural area. You don’t get HIV or AIDS because of who you are, or where you live. It is what you do. The three main ways you can contract HIV and AIDS are: 1. Having unprotected sex (especially having vaginal or anal intercourse without a condom). 2. Sharing needles or other drug equipment. 3. Receiving the virus as a baby. If a pregnant woman has HIV, her baby can get the virus during pregnancy, delivery, or breast feeding. In 1997, heterosexual sexual activity accounted for more than 20% of reported HIV-positive tests in Canada. Globally, heterosexual activity accounts for 75% of HIV infections. In Canada, 23% of all new HIV infections in 1996 were among women. Worldwide, 41% of all new HIV infections were among women. Young people in Canada are also increasingly being infected by HIV/AIDS. And HIV and AIDS are not just big-city problems. Many Canadians move back and forth between the city and the country to get jobs or go to school. Today, AIDS and HIV infection are found in every part of Canada. Anyone, anywhere who has unprotected sex or shares needles can become infected with HIV and develop AIDS. ——————————————————————————This is one of a series of fact sheets developed to answer frequently asked questions from clients of the Canadian HIV/ AIDS Clearinghouse in 1999. This material was originally produced for the Canadian Health Network AIDS Thunder Bay Advisory Council Richard Atkinson Fred Ball Gail Linklater Dr. Gordon Milne Karen O’Gorman Pat Piaskowski Diana Smith Richard Thompson Nicky Tittley Carl Triskle Rev. Don Uhryniw Kinna-Aweya Legal Clinic Director, Regional Public Health Laboratory Family Physician HIV Program Consultant ARF Infection Control, TB Regional Hospital Public Health Nurse, Thunder Bay District Health Unit Superior Points Harm Reduction Coordinator Infection Control/ Safety, St. Joseph’s Care Group ATB Board of Directors ATB Board of Directors AIDS Thunder Bay Board of Directors Sherry Britton Pam Delgaty Heather Graham Sarah Perreault Carl Triskle Carri-Anne Whidden Michael Croft Dennis Eeles Rob MacKay, President Ruth Racic Don Uhryniw Don Young AIDS Thunder Bay Staff Christa Alsch David Belrose Sheila Berry Stuart Boland Joanne Books Charlene Burford Lawrence Korhonen Daina Maslach Denise Olson Selly Pajamaki Crystal Porteous Michael Sobota Secretary Education Coordinator Support Services Coordinator IDU Outreach Worker Counselling Conference Coordinator Support Worker/Health Promoter Administration Coordinator Counselling Conference Coordinator SCOPE Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator Fundraising Coordinator Executive Director re-ACT-Believe Contributors Selly Pajamaki ATB staff & volunteers Editor AIDS Thunder Bay acknowledges and thanks our various funders: ¾ Ontario Ministry of Health - AIDS Bureau ¾ Health Promotion and Programs Branch, Ontario Region, Health Canada (ACAP) ¾ Ontario Trillium Foundation And all of the people involved in general fundraising and the support of many local businesses and individuals Page 8 R E - AC T B E L I E V E �A Word or Two … from the Health Promoter The Community Garden produce will continue to be distributed to clients. Unfortunately we planted just before the great rains of June and have now come to the conclusion that perhaps many of our seeds were washed away with the downpour. Lettuce and a few beets have been distributed to clients as of this writing. I would love to take credit for the garden's success; however, I've been very busy with office work and found very little time to play in the dirt. Dedicated volunteers, Heather Graham and her daughter, are the only reason we were able to provide fresh vegetables to people. Thank you beyond words. Mother's Cupboard Committee did not meet during the summer months. We will resume our one-hour bi-monthly meeting in September (10th at 12:00). Our shelves are rather bare currently. We need to find more effective ways of generating non-perishable food donations. Mother's Cupboard relies heavily on the generosity of the Thunder Bay community. At this point, there are three local churches that donate on a regular basis; without them, we would not have food to offer our clients and their families. I would like to acknowledge and send a huge thank you to Current River United, St. John's Anglican and First Presbyterian churches. Lakeview Presbyterian, Wesley United and First Church United have also given food from the heart. Various groups, organizations and individuals have supported Mother's Cupboard throughout the year; all is appreciated. If you would like to donate a can or box of something but not sure what we may need, give me a call or stop in at the office where you can pick-up a list of suggestions at the reception desk. If you have a spare lunch-hour and are interested in helping oversee the emergency food bank (Mother's Cupboard), contact Charlene. • • Things that make me go hmmmm… • Does your favourite colour really say something about your personality and outlook on life? • Why do we humans have such a hard time applying the advice / wisdom we give others to ourselves (re: healthy mind, body, spirit)? • (Borrowed from a co-worker) Is it the mind or body that dictates complacency? Same question applied to fatigue. Is it possible to be enchanted many times throughout an ordinary day? When's the last time you looked at a moment from the perspective? Why don't more people call others on their negativity and prejudices? Charlene Burford reACT-Believe Insert 1 �Two Strong Women — Transitions Sheila Berry came to our agency in the summer of 1990. She left a successful career in the business world to become our third Volunteer Coordinator. When Sheila came to us, she brought a vast network of connections into the community — and she used those connections over the next few years to expand and strengthen our volunteer base. After preparing herself through advanced education and on-the-job experience, in 1994 Sheila became our Support Services Coordinator. It was a position that had high turnover. Sheila brought stability and maturity to the department. She built internal procedures, assisted in hiring qualified and diverse Support staff and expanded services. Over her 8-year leadership, she built the department into one of the strongest of any AIDS service organization in the province. During Sheila’s 12-year history with us, she also helped develop and build the agency. She made significant and generous contributions to our annual fundraising efforts — purchasing art at our early Art Auctions, fielding a team (the Hungry Coyotes) for our annual AIDS Walk, performing in our Healthy Sex Cabarets. Throughout her time with us, she remained focused on service to our clients. She readily embraced the shifting demographics of the epidemic, as HIV shifted largely into being a heterosexual, drug-influenced disease in our region. She grew, expanded and blossomed as a person, entering new relationships and expanding and deepening her circle of friendships. For all of this and more, we salute Sheila and wish her the very best as she moves into new areas of adventure and excitement in her life. Gail Linklater becomes our new Support Services Coordinator on September 3, 2002. While new in the position, Gail is not new to our agency. Gail came to us as a volunteer when Sheila was our Volunteer Coordinator. Gail made significant contributions in committee work, including help in shaping our Emergency Financial Assistance program. She was elected to our Board of Directors where she served for six years — two of those as Board President. Her decision to return to school and new professional work took Gail away from our Board, but she shifted her skills to our Advisory Council where she has remained to the present time. In addition to her involvement with HIV/AIDS, Gail brings to our agency her accumulated skills as a teacher, leadership at Bereaved Families of Ontario, and her most recent experience as Program Coordinator/Program Manager at Crossroad’s Women’s Residence. Fare thee well — and welcome. HEPATITIS C — IT’S SERIOUS. YOU CAN HAVE IT AND NOT KNOW IT. Get the facts. For more information, visit www.healthcanada.ca/hepc reACT-Believe Insert 2 � 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 15 Issue 2 - Summer 2002 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 2002 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English