977 10 13078 https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/17/2690/1998_reACT-Believe_vol11no1_2.pdf 45607e51982c6aa975a4b9039bb174f5 PDF Text Text reACT-Believe The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Spring, 1998 Volume 11, Issue 1 Spring/Summer Issue Outreach to Injection Drug Using Community In 1996, ACT-B created a Substance Use Outreach Program (SUOP). Health Canada (ACAP) funded SUOP. This program piloted a number of approaches to reaching Thunder Bay’s substance using community, including using peer ambassadors to do outreach, an advertising campaign to raise the profile of HIV and substance using issues, and a bar outreach campaign. During the past year, together with representatives of sister agencies from across Ontario, we were consulted by the Ministry of Health’s AIDS Bureau, about how to address the growing front of HIV infections coming from injection drug use (IDU). The AIDS Bureau decided to fund outreach workers strategically placed around the province where there was a high rate of HIV transmission from IDU and a high rate of drug use. Using the experience gained from our SUOP activities, we developed a proposal and secured funding for a new, full time prevention, education and support outreach worker to the injection drug using community. This position will carry forward some of the essential components of SUOP but have a critically necessary addition: support. ACT-B is pleased to announce that Janet Adams has been hired for this position. Janet has a long history of working in the addictions and substance use field, with previous counseling experience at the Smith Centre (Adolescence Residential Program), coordinating The Exchange (Thunder Bay’s needle exchange service) and coordinating ACT-B’s SUOP. We are proud to have Janet join our education and support team on a full time basis. Replacing Janet as our SUOP coordinator is Stuart Boland. Stuart, ACT-B’s newest employee, will coordinate the SUOP activities on contract until December 31, when SUOP funding expires. Stuart comes to us with experience as a staff member at Shelter House and training with The Exchange. Please welcome Janet Adams and Stuart Boland. If you have any issues or questions relating to HIV, injection drug use or substance use, give them a call at 345-1516. Michael Sobota, Executive Director SUOP Peer Ambassador Update The SUOP Peer Ambassador Program has been running since December 1996. In that time, we have had eight people working as peer ambassadors: Ryan Bureyko, Jodi Maguda, Michael Poulin, Anna Grizans, Erik Collings, Kylie Hancock, Tyler Tebbenham and Ross Filice. As the coordinator of this program (until April 13, 1998), I would like to thank all the peers for their hard work, creative ideas, enthusiasm and dedication to this work. Without their help, this program would not be the success that it is. I feel blessed to have been given the opportunity to work with these individuals on this important and exciting project. It was with regret that I said goodbye to Ryan, Jodi, Kylie and Ross. Jodi and Kylie have both moved to Ottawa and hope to continue with this type of work. (Check out Jodi’s poem in this issue of reACT-Believe). Ryan left the program at the end of April to pursue his education in Toronto. I wish Ryan, Jodi, Kylie and Ross the best of luck in their endeavours and know they will be an asset to any­ thing they undertake. Janet Adams, IDU Outreach Worker Under Our Cover ... Volunteer News Fundraising News ACT-B Resource Library Health Promotion Insert For Your Information Agency Activities Here and There Parting Glance 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ! 1 �oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 1? t VoCnntccr News t <g» 6y SoCCy Pafama^i - VoCuntoor Coordinator <g> *w* V OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO National Volunteer Week Salute to Volunteers April 19th to 25th was National Volunteer Week in Canada. Here at ACT-B we celebrated our volunteers at our annual Volunteer Appreciation Night on April 2nd. The evening began with volunteer Derek Buttars playing the piano. A message from Deborah Emery, President and Chair of ACT-B was read. We were then entertained by local singers Michelle Lenardon and Nancy St. Jarre. Both were great and everyone enjoyed their performances. Michael Sobota and David Belrose, as two of the original volunteers at ACT-B, cut the special cake that had been made for the occasion by Harri Bakery. 181 volunteers gave 7,245 hours of service to the agency in 1997. All volunteers received a certificate of appreciation, red ribbon pin, “thank you for volunteering” pen, and a special commemorative button (recognizing 13 years of volunteering at ACT-B). Those who contributed over 50 hours also received ACT-B Volunteer t-shirts. Volunteers who gave over 200 hours received Magnus Theatre passes as well - these people are: Anne Ciemny, Sandy Johnston, Linda MacKay, Michael Sobota and Pius White. Two volunteers were given special mention, Bob Baskerville, our regular driver, and Marge Cross, our Christmas elf and regular bingo office worker. Thirty long-time volunteers were also recognized with special certificates and lapel pins. These are people who have been volunteering at ACT-B on an ongoing, continuous basis for several years. The final event of the evening was the naming of the ACT-B 1998 Volunteer of the Year. Sandy Johnston received this award. Sandy is a regular receptionist, a regular bingo worker, and also does a lot of public speaking for us. She is very dependable and willing to try out any task we ask of her. She’s always available, has a great sense of humour and is a wonderful ambassador for our agency. She is also very committed to the fight against HIV/AIDS. Sandy received a “wolf’ t-shirt and an eagle candle, as well as a volunteer t-shirt, pass to Magnus Theatre, pen, pin and button. She also received a framed “Volunteer of the year” certificate and her name is engraved on the “Volunteers Extraordinaire” plaque that hangs in the reception area of the ACT-B office. On behalf of the agency, the staff, the clients and the board, I would like to say to the volunteers THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!! Your gift of time which you give us as volunteers is truly appreciated. You gave us an incredible number of hours (7,245) and you should be very proud of the work you have done. Thanks again. The Thunder Bay Association of Volunteer Administrators held their 4th annual Salute to Volunteers at Intercity Mall on Wednesday, April 22nd. Over 60 volunteers were honoured by 33 member agencies. The 2 ACT-B volunteers who received special certificates are Sandy Johnston, our 1998 Volunteer of the Year, and Tara Kormish. Tara began volunteering last fall and quickly became a regular. She is enthusiastic and willing to try almost anything, and (this is a bonus for us), she is usually available at the last minute. Tara is friendly and sociable and a joy to be around. Congratulations to both of you for a well-deserved award. With Our Thanks The AIDS Committee would like to extend a special thank you to Marge Cross. Marge is our Christmas Elf/ Santa’s Helper. With the help of Liisa Clarke, she coordinated the Christmas baskets and stockings this past year. It takes a lot of organization and time to find sponsors and donors to put together a large project like this, but Marge excels at it. Our clients were very thankful for the wonderful baskets and stockings donated by both corporations and private citizens. Many expressed amazement and tearful thanks at the generosity of their community. Thanks again to Marge and Liisa and also to all the people who shared their Christmas with others. We would also like to say thank you to Shaun and Gerry Friesen at Shoppers Drug Mart on Memorial Ave. for their recent contribution of diapers to our agency. The diapers were well received by a local family. An appreciation is extended to Thunder Bay Cellular for supplying a unit for use over the winter holiday/new year’s break to Support Services. It was well used and provided a comforting link to clients who needed some assistance. 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) service bilingue disponible The Network 1-800-263-1638 HIV/AIDS Treatment Information email: info@catie.ca catie internet: www.catie.ca Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange 2- - �fundraising News Gy Jofin Booths - fundraising Coordinator - The Thunder Bay Rotary Club, Fort William The winter was mild and this beautiful spring - The Senator Norman G. Patterson Foundation - The Thunder Bay Foundation weather has many of us Northerners feeling - The United Way of Thunder Bay “New Initiatives uncharacteristically expansive. The fundraising Fund” campaigns of the last fiscal year were very successful. I would like to thank all those who contributed to them. AIDS Walk 98 on September 27th There will be many challenges this year: This is the easiest and most popular way to sup­ - several very large campaigns, especially the one for port the fight against HIV/AIDS in Thunder Bay. the new hospital in Thunder Bay, threaten to over­ Join us at the AIDS Walk. shadow other charitable causes. Over 500 people met the challenge last year. - more and more people are accessing the services of Put on your walking shoes and come on out! ACT-B - and, our local economy continues to shrink, unlike the provincial trend. We begin the new fiscal year with enthusiasm and hope, we will meet the challenges. We will fulfil our We need a few more people on our Walk Com­ mandate to provide prevention programs for this mittee. If you are interested, call John at 345-1516. community and support those affected in our region. Fundraising Notes The most important campaign of the year is the AIDS Walk on September 27th. If anyone would like to serve on a small Walk Committee, please call John at 345-1516. Last year the AIDS Walk was a great deal of fun and brought in over $25,000 to the AIDS Committee. The 98 AIDS Walk will be even more successful. Pledge forms will be available in the early summer if you wish to begin collecting pledges. Once again there will be some great prizes and incentives for those who qualify. The leading pledge collector last year brought in $1,710. AIDS Walk Thunder Bay Sunday, September 17, 1998 Lakehead University Outpost § □ NEW VEHICLE SOON Soon the AIDS Committee will have a new vehicle to replace our aged van. The first van was purchased in 1989 with funds ^ from the Trillium Foundation. It served the AIDS Committee well for almost 10 years. However, as it aged, maintenance costs kept escalating. Awhile ago, we began seeking funds for a new vehicle. Over the years, we have been searching for funds from a variety of sources to help us replace the van. At last we have secured enough funds to proceed with a new purchase. We would like to acknowledge the following for their generous support: - The Life and Health Insurance Companies of Canada -3 Supporting the Services provided by The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay in the fight against AIDS Yes, I want to participate. Please send me more information. Name: _ Address: Postal Code: □ - Yes, I want to help as a volunteer. Telephone:___________________ Return to: AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay P.O. Box 24025 RPO Downtown North Thunder Bay, ON P7A 8A9 �A07-ff /legotiftf //tfraty By David Belrose - Education Coordinator Gay Men and HIV/AIDS It’s not over yet Much emphasis has been focused in recent months on the changing face of HIV/AIDS, and we have noted that new HIV positive clients have been largely heterosexual. However, this does not mean that gay and bisexual men can quit thinking about HIV/AIDS, safer sex and healthy choices. Young gay men, in particular, need to realize that they are very much at risk for HIV infection if they fail to take appropriate measures to protect their health. “Homophobia Hurts Us All.” Youth have spoken at regional HIV/AIDS counselling conferences held by the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay, and a World AIDS Day event in Dryden.. A regional newsletter called Northern Connection has been produced with the second issue due out in May 1998. There is a real need for support for lesbian, gay and bisexual adults and also for parents, families, and friends. In small communities it will be essential for everyone to work together to help improve the environment of tolerance and acceptance. Anyone working in social service or health agencies, or in schools should be looking at ways they can help make their community more accepting of diversity. Through the development of a more supportive social environment, young people will be able to enhance self-esteem, and hopefully make healthy choices about their behaviour. As part of our prevention effort, our Substance Use Outreach Project has utilized a peer ambassador targeting gay males. We also continue to provide information displays at community dances. However, we recognize that part of the risk for gay, bisexual and lesbian youth stems from the systemic barriers and discrimination they face. Therefore, effort has been directed to addressing some of these We are prepared to offer workshops to interested concerns. groups, schools, churches, or agencies on request. We can also assist people in setting up support Northern Pride, the support and education group groups. Please call for further information. for lesbian, gay and bisexual youth continues to meet biweekly. We encourage young people to Our Best Kept Secret make use of this free service. Over the past The Act-B Resource Library is the best kept secret number of months, we have been involved in a in town, but we want to get the word out - we have an excellent collection of materials (books, magazines, number of workshops and presentations dealing videos) that includes information on a broad range of with sexual orientation and discrimination. The issues related to HIV/AIDS. We encourage everyone Children’s Aid Society, Lakehead Regional to make use of this valuable resource. Family Centre, and Catholic Family Our staff will be glad to help you find the materials you need. The library is open Monday to Friday from Development Centre have all held workshops 9:30 to 5:00 p.m. for staff on working with lesbian, gay and bisexual youth. David Belrose and Barbara Spencer presented a workshop in the fall of 1997 at the national suicide prevention conference titled “Dying In The Closet: Sexual orientation as an often-overlooked factor in youth suicide.” Fort Frances held a community workshop on sexual orientation called 4- - �Pills, Pills, Pills by Ken Fowler, reprinted from “STEP, your hiv/aids treatment resource Winter 1998 ” Ken Fowler is a computer consultant and member of STEP's Scientific Review Committee Yes, they've changed my life, and they aren’t easy, but I've gotten into a routine with them. I was on monotherapy for some years and about last November my doc recommended 3TC, ddl, and Crixivan. I knew the scheduling would be tricky so 1 spent some time thinking about how I would do it. As you may well know, the ddl and Crixivan have to be taken on an empty stomach and not together. (That's at least two hours after eating and at least an hour before.) The Crixivan I took every eight hours and the other two, twice a day. 1 finally decided 7am, 3pm. and 11pm might work for the Crixivan. If I then did the ddl at 6am and 5pm that could fit, I thought. The 3TC was easy because it didn’t matter what my stomach status was. The implications were that I'd have to get started at 6am so I nowhave my radio set for that. I get up and take the ddl and go back to bed and listen to the news til 7. Then I get up, take the Crixivan and shower, shave, etc. From Sam to 1pm I can eat breakfast, lunch, brunch or whatever. From 1pm to 6pm I can’t. I’ve set my watch for 3pm as without it I'd certainly often find myself involved in something and forget. Five pm isn’t much of a problem as I’m usually ending something about then and if I forget. I’m usually thinking about eating pretty soon thereafter. If I haven’t taken the ddl yet, I do so and wait an hour before eating - that’s easy as it takes that long to get something ready or go somewhere. As long as I’m done by 9pm, I’ll be ready for the 11pm dose of Crixivan. I take the 3TC during or after dinner and again aim for when I first eat for the day. Once I had all this figured out and before actually starting, I took the list to my pharmacist - along with the other things I take and I started using my vitamins as “test pills” to get into the schedule. I put all the pills out each morning so the piles can always tell me whether I’ve already taken the pills or forgotten them. (Besides these I take 3 vitamins. Bactrim, and some Prazosin.) Well, as I’ve said, it works for the most part. When it doesn’t I'm guided by that schedule's philosophy. My system’s Crixivan levels will be best if regenerated about every 8 hours but if I mess up. 10 is better than 16. So, I take it as soon after 8 as I can and try to get back to the schedule (w'ith maybe a subsequent adjustment or so to equalize the intervals). On Christmas, when others had scheduled dinner for 3:00pm, I fudged the 8 to 7's and 9's for a day or two to make it work. I try very hard to watch the empty' stomach part of the routine because if the drugs aren’t being absorbed as best they can be the w'hole effort is probably not worth much. I carry my two afternoon shots around in an old Anacin box about an inch square and a little more than a quarter inch thick - it’s great. One afternoon when downtown my watch w'ent off and 1 realized I’d left the little yellow box at home. My philosophy is that probably the most important thing for me to do these days is these pills - so I left work early, got home about 4:00pm and took my Crixivan. In the old days I’d have stayed at work and at 5:00pm remembered it was time for pills. The pile had the next Crixivan so I took two more and then realized what I’d done. I thought I might not feel very' well that night but I -was fine. I didn’t know what to do next but since 1 felt fme decided that 8 hours after the second I should take some more so I did. Don’t remember now w'hat I did about the ddl but if it happened today, I’d wait an hour and then take the ddl and hope for the best. It isn’t just the pills, of course. With Crixivan I have to drink gallons of water or risk kidney stones which I’ve been told I definitely want to avoid. Drinking the water with the pills seems to work well - I’m sure I’d otherwise be likely to drink half as much. So it’s two glasses of water every time I take pills - except the ddl - the pharmacist thought they might be best with a limited amount of water. So, with the Crixivan and the others I get about 10 glasses a day. The worst part was adding the two before going to bed. But I’ve gotten to the age I guess one has to expect some nighttime bathroom interruptions. I can now, most often, sleepwalk through those and get back to sleep. It’s annoying but it didn’t all start last November. Normally I don’t have to be at work at 8:00am so I can fmd a convenient time in the morning to eat. Recently though, I’ve been commuting one day a week - leaving at 6:45am and returning home about 6:00 pm. If I happen to wake up about 5:30am 1 take the ddl and then the Crixivan just before running out the door. Otherwise 1 take the Crixivan enroute and get by with a little less water than usual. Then I snack from arrival through lunch. It works. My toes are numb all the time, I think from ddl neuropathy. But it doesn’t seem to be getting any worse and isn’t painful. (I try to walk a fair amount hoping the exercise will help and maybe it does - who knows?) I think the Crixivan sometimes makes me a little nauseous - especially if I have some phlegm in my throat. In the morning another half-hour back to bed can help - if there’s time. Some little breath mints or hard candy seems to help too. I don’t know what they do to my stomach status but pills won’t do me any good if I barf them up so I use the mints when the urge hits me. (The pharmacist had said that a cracker or something with the Crixivan could be ok, but the nausea isn’t necessarily right with the pills.) Anyway, the nauseous feeling still makes me cringe a little when I think of Crixivan or look at the pills or bottle. After reading Kabat-Zinn’s Full Catastrophe Living, it seemed wise to make a conscious effort to counter this reaction. I’m making progress but still have a way to go on this. I'm pleased that all the effort is so far productive. My viral load has dropped to and remained “non-detectable.” My life is certainly quite a bit more complex. And those warm summer afternoons when I see others walking down Broadway with fine ice cream cones my mouth waters. I also used to enjoy those occasional mid-aftemoon office birthday cake breaks more when I could partake. In short, being very “compliant” isn't a piece of cake but I sure feel a whole lot better than I did a couple of years ago. �HaaCtk Promotion by Daryle Cano - ACT-B Support Worker/Health Promoter How To Get Treatment Information From Home Are you aware that you can access HIV treatment information from the comfort of your home? If you own a telephone, you can call CATIE, the Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange, at 1-800-263-1638. There is no charge for this call. CATIE is an independent, non-profit community-based organization that helps people living with HIV and AIDS make informed health care decisions. The calls are confidential, and the trained consultants can provide information on medication, nutrition, complementary therapy and medical conditions. You can also reach CATIE via the internet, if you are able to use a friend’s computer that has internet access. General E-Mail inquiries should be sent to: info@catie.ca and you can reach their World Wide Web Site at www.catie.ca. Their mailing address is #420 - 517 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M6G 4A2. If you have any further questions about CATIE, please ask your counsellor. CATIE is available to anyone, free of charge. Food For Thought - Submitted by Ingrid Buahene, Nutritionist The buzz word in the Health and Nutrition field is “organic” foods. The latest research shows that 60% of North America is interested in buying organic foods. But, do we actually get what we are pay­ ing for? Here are some tips on what the label tells us: 1) If it is on raw products - the food is grown and manufactured without hormones, pesticides or synthetic fertilizer. 2) On processed foods - the product contains at least 95% organic ingredients. 3) Made with certain organic ingredients - the food contains 50% to 90% organic ingredients. 4) Organic ingredients list means that it contains less than 50% organic ingredients. We have to take the time to read the information label to know what we are paying for. Stouffers published this recipe in a newsletter - try it and see how you like it: Alfredo a la Genovese (a main dish for one) 1 pkg. of frozen Pastaria Fettucine Alfredo 2 tbsp. chopped Genoa salami (about 2 slices) 2 tbsp. thawed green peas Microwave pasta according to package directions. Stir in salami and peas. Cover loosely with plastic wrap; microwave on high for one minute or until hot. Nutrition per serving: 435 calories, 15 gm protein, 23 gm fat, 42 gm carbohydrate Excellent source of vitamin B12. Next time we will talk about vitamins. �A Little Prevention Is Worth ... A Refresher on Preventing HIV Infections From: Hemophilia Ontario News Winter 1997 Vol. 29 No. 3 When someone in the household is HIV+ everyone needs to use their own razors, toothbrushes, towels, and washcloths. When handling needles, always: Intimacy & Protection • • • No risk: • Abstinence • If you and your partner are not infected and you only have sex with each other. • • • • Hold the sharp end away from yourself. Put used needles in a sturdy, plastic jar with a lid. Give the jar to your health care professional for safe disposal. Never put the cap back on the needle. Never bend or cut needles. Never remove the sharp needle from the plastic part. Never put the used needle jar in the garbage. Some risk: • Safer sex activities. • Safer needle use. What are safer sex activities? • Safer sex activities prevent contact with semen, vaginal fluids or blood. • Talk to your partner about safer sex before having sex. Make it your responsibility. • Use a latex condom correctly every time you have sex. • Use only water-based lubricants. Oil-based lubri­ cants such as petroleum jelly must never be used because they may weaken the condom and cause it to break. What if there’s an accidental needle stick? • • • • • • Don’t panic. Put the needle in the used needle jar. Wash where you stuck yourself using warm, soapy water for at least 15 seconds. Call your doctor or nurse and tell them what hap­ pened. Follow their instructions. Read the following “needle stick” article. Home Infusions & Accidental Needle Sticks Home infusions have meant greater freedom for children and adults with hemophilia. Any attempt to go into a vein with a needle carries with it the possibility of an accidental needle stick even when one knows all of the “right ways” and takes appropriate precautions. Kids can wiggle when you least expect it or the dog can bump into you sending the needle you've just removed from an HIV infected person right into your hand or the I.V. line discon­ nects suddenly and squirts you in the eye. Many accidental exposures carry little or no risk of infection such as when infected blood gets on a skin sur­ face that is intact. Even some needle sticks carry very little risk. If any of these happen to you contact an emergency room, clinic or your doctor, as there is a prophylactic treatment, which if begun soon after the needle stick, may increase your chances of not becoming infected with HIV. You can be treated following the same guide­ lines as are used when medical personnel experience an accidental exposure to HIV. Depending on the exposure experienced you may be given a 30-day cocktail made up from the same antivirals used to treat people diagnosed with AIDS. If “post exposure prophylaxis” (PEP) is to be implemented, it needs to be started as soon as possible. It is thought to be less effective the longer it is delayed, but there are no data to indicate if there is a specific time after which it is ineffective. Long term effects of this therapy are not yet known. In an editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine, Dr. David K. Henderson of the National Institutes of Health, writes that the decision to support the use of postexposure chemoprophylaxis for [those] accidentally exposed to HIV is warranted, despite the short- and long term risks of such treatments. This information is based on the contents of these two documents found on the web site of the Canadian Public Health Association: Basic Facts About HIV/AIDS & Caring Safelyfor People with HIV or AIDS www.cpha.ca 5- - �Notes from our Placement Students What’s Happening in Support Services these days? My Placement at ACT-B By Sheila Berry, Support Services Coordinator by Me! Wiegand Recreation & Leisure Services Student Working at ACT-B over the last four months has been quite an experience. I have had no previous experience work­ ing in the field of HIV/AIDS. But what I have learned will be invaluable to me in the future. During the past few months I have worked with Fund-raising and with Support Services and I have performed all other duties as required. Some of my duties included helping with the Direct Mail Cam­ paign, The Healthy Sex Cabaret, and Bingos. I also helped in getting the Activities Program started. See you all at the next event. As my placement comes to its conclusion, I would like to thank everyone on staff for their friendship, support, their humour, and most of all their knowl­ edge. You have made this experience truly a re­ warding one. Meegwech. Thanks for the Memories by Colleen Miller Masters of Social Work Student #ijt% A Hello readers! I have had the awe- \ some opportunity of doing my university placement at ACT-B since the beginning of March and will continue until mid-June. Although I am working in the Support Services Department, I have enjoyed inter­ action with all staff at ACT-B. So far, my experience has included coordinating and implementing the Annual Health Agenda Re­ view - surveys and focus groups, support work and I will be co-facilitating a support group for Affected Persons. I must tell you that working at ACT-B with staff, clients and volunteers has been a tremendous ex­ posure to sincere caring and support for people liv­ ing with HIV/AIDS. I also want to plug the library at ACT-B, the resources have made a good contribu­ tion to my research project on the psychosocial is­ sues of women and HIV. My stay at ACT-B has been a pleasant personal experience and I appreciate the opportunity to en­ hance my professional social work skills. Thanks to everyone - it’s been great! 6- - In the past several months, the Support Services Committee has been working with the board, staff, volunteers and interested clients to bring people with HIV/AIDS together for support. Sandy, Mel and Clement have done the organizing and invite other ACT-B clients to join them. In their own words, “We are having lots of fun and laughter.” Activities such as bowling, mini­ putt and movie night have been planned and future events such as picnics, laser-tag, frisbee-golf, and much more will happen. This group is for friends, family and partners. Confidentiality is respected. Kids are welcome! To find out more about this pro­ gram, call 345-1516 HIV Positive Support Group will be meeting every Tuesday evening for the next six weeks, commencing May 5th. The group is for HIV positive people who are looking for friendship and mu­ tual support, and will be facilitated by Greg Adams and Judy Cameron. Confidentiality will be respected. Times for the meet­ ings are 7-9 p.m. For location and more information, contact Sheila Berry at 345-1516. Still life in the hearts ofstrangers by Jodi Maguda former Peer Ambassador, SUOP W W W w w w w w w w w w w w Once there was a leafofmy life, fallen from my tree of knowledge. Parts of my soul travel each vein. Parts of me not yet slain. Most of my purity is gone. Yet lstill live on? This leaf holds many secrets. This leaf holds many tears. This leaf holds a lot of laughter. To you I'm a stranger, nothing in your eyes. I’ve livedsooo long. I've lived so hard. My knowledge is extensive. Yet I'm so eagerfor more. You, you hold the knowledge. that I seek, that I want. Take then this leaf, this leaffrom my life, and ponder. What do you want? Take this leafand know there is still hope. Take this leafand know, that there is till so much more. Each person you lay your eyes on, Holds something inside of them, something so deep something so intimate something so.......... Necessary. ?? �Here and There... ATTENTION VOLUNTEERS For Information - We want to know how to contact you. If you are a volunteer who has not been contacted recently, or who has had a change in address, phone number, time of availability, or area of interest, please call in your current information so we can keep in touch with you. Call Selly at 345-1516. Now that the university and college school year is over and our student volunteers have returned home for the summer, we are looking for more bingo volunteers. Bingos are the 4th Tuesday of every month. It you would like to work at a bingo or you know someone who would, call Selly. Please keep in mind that the AIDS Walk and AIDS Awareness Week are coming up in the fall. If you would like to volunteer for these events, call ACT-B. Anyone interested in walking can call for a pledge form in early summer. 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 AIDS (HIV Antibody) Testing: Call the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay 345-7233 or 345-1516 Anonymous Testing in Thunder Bay Call 625-5981 Regular HIV Testing Call the STD Clinic 625-9544 About Counselling or Referrals Call the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay 345-7233 Aboriginal Healing and Science, can they co-exist? Why, naturally. by Gabriel Kakeeway, Aboriginal AIDS Educator, Northwestern Ontario After a few years of relating the principles of genetics and Aboriginal Medicine, I have come to a belief that they can co-exist. After this research the conclusion has been to nullify homophobia, AIDS phobia and HIV. The history of Canada will dictate that HIV reminds me of Christopher Columbus coming upon beautiful people which he termed “Indeo.” Some historical documentation was brought forth by Walter L. Williams who authored “the Spirt and the Flesh”, the sexual diversity of the North American Indian. His actual research lessened my own fears in regards to working with Gay and Lesbian people and therefore, enabled my logic to work with all people. HIV education concludes that all people’s hemoglobin is the same. Melanin, which dictates the shade of each person’s skin colour, is also consistent in that we are all created equal, so why the racist logic that is still prevalent in the aspirations of freedom for all. Anti-sexual logic may only work if a person wants to climb the political ladder, questioning sexual diversity has, however, become passe. In genetics we start out as female for the first 6-9 weeks while in utero. DNA or our genetic code then mixes in with testosterone, which creates a male person and a female default remains so that the fetus remains female. As basic as this information may seem, a blueprint is created. In current research, men and women are given personalities and certain individuals achieve feminine and masculine qualities. Therefore, genetics dictates it is okay to be diverse or different from heterosexual principles. In many societies, some of these people were hidden, and in earlier history practically “fed to the dogs.” This forced many North American Tribes to go underground with their roles as Medicine People, healers, crafts people and yes, even, warriors and peacekeepers. If people had warriors, common sense would let me know that I shouldn’t ask what people do in their bedrooms. Ask Bill Clinton. During the Residential School era in this region of the Northwest, open sexuality was then considered perverse. Perhaps this is one of the reasons some people have problems in finding out who they really are. As Native People have gone from dodem to modem in their teachings, we must remember that judgment of others is questioned by any religion. Hopefully we can establish healing centers that will assist in this endeavour. As I said, HIV reminds me of the current government system, the moment you get anywhere with it, it changes. 7- - �Parting Glance AG7-B Advisory GouhcIB Director, Regional Public Health Laboratory The following symptoms can be signs of many different health Mary Lee Barry Ogden East End CHC problems. However, many women who have the AIDS virus Karen 0'Gorman Addiction Research Foundation (HIV) have one or more of these. If you have any of them, you Richard Atkinson Co-Chair should have them checked out. Gail Linklater Crossroads Centre Vaginal Yeast Infection - (Especially if it comes back a lot or Dr. Gordon Milne Family Physician is hard to get rid of.) Discharge from a yeast infection is white or Carmen Blais Thunder Bay Indian Friendship cream-coloured. It often looks like cottage cheese. You may feel Centre burning or itching. Your outer vaginal lips may be swollen and Diana Smith Public Health Nurse, Thunder red and sore to touch. Sex may be painful. Yeast infections are Bay District Health Unit very common. Nicky Tittley Safety Coordinator, Thrush - This is caused by another kind of yeast infection. It Thunder Bay Regional Hospital looks like creamy white patches in your mouth or on your tongue. Rev. Don Uhryniw Current River United Church, Changes in your periods - If your periods start to be really Council of Clergy painful or very irregular or you are missing your periods, and this Dawn Kannegiesser Co-Chair is different from your usual pattern, have it checked out. AG7-B Board of Directors Pelvic Inflammatory Disease - The signs of this can be pain in Rick Atkinson James Budd your abdomen (stomach), unusual discharge from your vagina Deborah Emery Dawn Kannegiesser (which may be thick or foul-smelling), painful sex, pain in your Carmen Klassen Brenda LeSage back or legs, pain when you pee, bleeding in between periods, Rob MacKay Bruno Valente fever, nausea and vomiting. If you have one or more of these Pius White Darryl Williams, Pres. symptoms, you may have P.I.D. It is very serious. Don Young Hormone Changes - The AIDS virus can cause hormone AG7-B Staff changes that cause hot flashes, mood changes and some kinds of Janet Adams IDU Outreach Worker vaginal infections (such as a yeast infection). Secretary Cervical Changes - The AIDS virus can cause changes in the Christa Alsch Belrose David Education Coordinator cells (skin) in a woman’s cervix. The only way to tell if you have Sheila Berry Support Services Coordinator these changes is to have an “internal” check-up (PAP test). Stuart Boland Substance Use Outreach Project John Books Fund Raising Coordinator Daryle Cano Support Worker/Health Promoter The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay acknowledges and thanks Lawrence Korhonen Administration Coordinator our various funders: Colleen Miller Placement Student > Ontario Ministry of Health - AIDS Bureau Selly Pajamaki Volunteer Coordinator > Health Promotion and Programs Branch, Ontario Michael Sobota Executive Director Region, Health Canada (ACAP) Mel Wiegand Placement Student > All of the people involved in general fundraising reAG7-Bo6ieve GontriOutors and the support of many local businesses and Selly Pajamaki Editor individuals. ACT-B staff & volunteers Women’s Symptoms For HIV Infection/AIDS Can Be Different From Men’s Symptoms 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 Fred Ball 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:_________________________________________ � 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 11 Issue 1 - Spring 1998 Subject The topic of the resource Organizations Health and Medicine Description An account of the resource Newsletter of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1998 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/17/2691/1998_reACT-Believe_vol11no2_2.pdf d5319a80246476e5a51451ecb0ac297b PDF Text Text reACT-Believe The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Fall 1998 Volume 11, Issue 2 TAe'WaCfl WitA Us" Issue A Message From Don Ferguson Royal Canadian Air Farce, CBC Television On Sunday, September 27, 1998, thousands of people just like you will lace up their sneakers and hit the streets to take part in one of Canada’s most important fundraisers - their local AIDS Walk. You already know what a devastating impact AIDS has had on Canadians. But did you know that Canada’s HIV infection rate has nearly doubled since the early 1990s? And, that at the end of 1996 as many as 42,000 Canadians were living with HIV/AIDS? Looking at these alarming numbers really makes us realize that the struggle against this disease is far from over. Local AIDS service organizations (ASO’s) are at the forefront in this battle. They provide essential support services for men, women and children who are affected or infected by HIV/AIDS. ASO’s also promote effective HIV education and prevention programs among people who are at the highest risk for infection. When you join the AIDS Walk in your community, the pledges you collect stay with your local AIDS service organization. This means that every dollar you raise helps someone in your community who is living with HIV/AIDS. We hope you will join thousands of other caring Canadians and lend your support to this important event. Please, register to walk today. Your help will really make a difference to people living with HIV/AIDS. Thank you. Sincerely, Don Ferguson P.S. The struggle against AIDS is far from over. We can’t continue the fight without the support of generous people like you. If you aren’t able to join this year’s AIDS Walk, please consider making a donation to your local ASO or pledging another Walker. Your active participation is appreciated! AIDS Walk 1998 On September 27th, the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay will hold its biggest fundraiser of the year. The AIDS Walk will be held on the campus of Lakehead University. With increasingly more people in the region at risk, the fight against AIDS is entering a new phase. Recent reports have focused on the rapid spread of the virus in the Aboriginal population, among people who use drugs, as well as among youth and women. Thunder Bay is not isolated from these trends. Our community, our families and our children are being affected. Data from recent statistics confirms that two to four new cases of HIV + status occur every month in the Thunder Bay region. Last year, over $23,000 was raised in Thunder Bay toward the fight against AIDS. The funds you collect for this year’s Walk are essential. The following are just a few examples of how they could make a difference: • $25 will pay for a treatment news mail out to local physicians • $50 will buy diapers for a month for a HTV+ mother’s child • $ 100 will stock two shelves of our food bank • $250 will send a HIV+ speaker to Dryden or other towns within the region On behalf of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay, I would like to invite you to sign up for the 98 AIDS Walk on September 27th at Lakehead University. Join us this year. Bring your pledges to the Outpost between noon and 1 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon of fun for the whole family, with entertainment, food, face painting, fish pond, and much more. Come out and enjoy yourself and make some new friends. Call 345-1516 to obtain your team registration kit or to sign up as an individual walker. Come out and have a great time. Together we can make a difference. John Books, Fundraising Coordinator Under Our Cover... Education Update Counselling Conference AIDS Walk Health Promotion Insert For Your Information/Social Letters Here and There Parting Glance 2 3 4 i 5 6 7 8 ! �education Update “AIDS.... We’re all affected99 AIDS Awareness Week 1998 Moves to the End of November In 1998, National AIDS Awareness Week will be held 23 to 30 November, followed by World AIDS Day on December 1. The 1998-1999 campaign will once again feature the theme. The Changing Face of AIDS, but with some new promotional materials, improvements and updates. This decision was made by the Canadian AIDS Society after a survey of member organizations. In the survey, a significant majority of respondents selected the last week of November as the best time to launch the year-long national AIDS Awareness campaign. HIV/AIDS is a risk-espedaUy if you drink before sex or use injec­ tion drugs. HIV/ AIDS can be prevented. Learn how to prated yourself. Call: The rationale for the change included the following: No AIDS Walk conflict: groups will find it easier to plan the week if it takes place after the Walk (see elsewhere in this newsletter for more information), with more time to organize and distribute materials, and more access to staff/ volunteer time. World AIDS Day tie-in: World AIDS Day gets more media attention, and is better known than AIDS Awareness Week, so it will be easier to get stories picked up by local press. Planners can take advantage of the attention surrounding World AIDS Day, but will be provided with original “made in Canada” materials; focus, fact sheets, etc. CAS will also continue to provide planners with information about the global epidemic and its links to the Canadian epidemic. Advance materials: With project funding tied to a fiscal year that begins in April, there will be more time to print, produce and distribute materials in advance. Students/Youth: schools will have more time to plan (and to build HIV/AIDS prevention into the curriculum). This change will impact significantly on planning and preparation in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario. We encourage everyone to make plans to hold events during AIDS Awareness Week. We especially urge students and teachers to plan classroom teaching and/or other school activities for this week. Please contact us for ideas or help in planning. Remember these dates: Nov. 23-30 National AIDS Awareness Week December 1 World AIDS Day 2- - ACT-B Enters Internet Age the We can now be reached by E-mail or via the World Wide Web. As of the beginning of August 1998, we now have a web site at the following address: http://www.tbavtel.net/ actb and we can be reached by E-mail at: actb@tbaytel.net. The web site features information about our services, upcoming events, such as the AIDS Walk, infomiation about how to contact us, and links to other sites. As the site develops, we hope to provide other news and information. We encourage you to check us out and let us know what you think. Our thanks to Paul Jasen, who developed the web site for us. Resource Update Library The ACT-B library continues to be an important source of information related to HIV/AIDS and related issues. The library has shifted location in the ACT-B Resource Centre. A number of new print items have been added recently. A TV and VCR are available to preview our video collection. A computer work station is now located in the library with access to HIV/ AIDS related software and internet capability. This will gradually be made available to clients, volunteers and other users. Come in, check us out and ask for help if you need to use the work station. Substance Use Outreach Project This project moves ahead under the direction of Stuart Boland. Two new transit ads have been developed and the first of these is now on city buses. The bar campaign continues with the safer sex puppet play updated and now called “Dick’s Night Out.” This project will close at the end of December. �"Opening More Doors" 7th ANNUAL NW ONTARIO REGIONAL HIV/AIDS COUNSELLING CONFERENCE Thursday, October 15th and Friday, October 16th, 1998 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 9 workshops and meals. There is no charge for PHAs. 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. The conference opens with "The 2nd Decade of HIV/ AIDS: A look at where we are at the end of the 90's." This workshop will set the tone for the conference, providing an overview of AIDS and how it has evolved since the early 1980's up to the present. That same evening, we will host “Treatment Information Night", a dinner and workshop focusing on current medical options for those living with HIV/AIDS. Our guest speakers for the evening are two HIV specialists, Dr. Cary Rubin and Dr. John Goodhew. Both doc­ tors attended the World AIDS Conference in Geneva, Switzerland and will share with participants the latest advances in HIV treatment and prevention. This workshop is spon­ sored by Merck Frosst, Glaxo Wellcome, Agouran, Brystol-Myers Squibb, and Abbott Laboratories Limited. Other workshop topics include: ♦ Counselling Aboriginal populations ♦ Issues relating to youth peer pressure, sexuality and STDs ♦ Counselling children and family members of someone living with HIV/AIDS ♦ HIV/AIDS and issues related to alcohol and other chemical dependencies including in­ jection drug use ♦ How to facilitate a support group ♦ Women and HIV/AIDS ♦ Issues related to HIV/AIDS, mental illness and mental health For more information, please contact: Joanne Books, Conference Coordinator At 807-346-9388 or 807-345-1516 3- - �AIDS WALK T&tihder Bay Have you registered for AIDS Walk Thunder Bay also be prizes for teams and for pets. There are also yet? It’s not too late! Form a team, encourage your incentive prizes - collect over $200 and receive an friends from work or school to join you. Support AIDS Walk key chain; collect over $300 and receive each other as you collect pledges. Bring a pet, wear an embroidered AIDS Walk windbreaker; collect a costume, have your pet wear a costume, bring the over $500 and receive a windbreaker and a $50 gift kids; there will be something for everyone! certificate from Aldo Shoes. We have activities for children, entertainment, All money raised in Thunder Bay stays in Thunder food, and games. The 5 km. Walk will begin at The Bay. The pledges you collect are used to fight HIV/ Outpost at Lakehead University at noon on AIDS here in Thunder Bay on three levels: September 27th. As a pledge collector, you will be • Support services for persons living with HIV/AIDS joining thousands of Canadians in over 60 here in Thunder Bay and the region communities as they help to support the cause of • Education HIV/AIDS. • Policy and Advocacy The lucky person who collects the most pledges The active client case load of the AIDS Committee will receive dinner for two at the Valhalla Inn and a of Thunder Bay is increasing rapidly. Be a part of the trip for two to Toronto with a stay at a downtown solution! Bring in your completed registration form Toronto hotel (courtesy of Lakehead Travel and to our office or call us at 345-1516. Canadian Regional). The second highest pledge Register by 4:30 p.m. local time on September 1, collector receives a weekend for two at Grand 1998, and you’ll be entered in a random draw for a Portage Lodge. Third prize is a one night stay and return trip for two to any destination in North breakfast courtesy of Rose Valley Lodge & America served by Canadian Regional. Certain Restaurant (formerly the Unicom Inn). There will conditions apply. 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. Name: Street Address: Apt.: City: Province: Home Phone: ( > Work Phone: ( Employer/School/Organization: Age: □ under 18 □ 18-25 Sex: qM □ □ □ □ □ Postal Code: ) Fax: ( ) Team Name (if any): □ 26-35 □ 36-45 □ 46-55 □ 55+ qF 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 27, but I want to donate. 4- - AIDS WALK CANADA A PLEBCE IS THE FIRST STEF �Vitamins - Submitted by Ingrid Buahene, Nutritionist Introduction The word vitamin was first coined in 1912 by Polish chemist Casimi Frank. The absence of anyone of these vitamins leads to specific symptoms of one or another deficional disease. Also, an absence causes a breakdown in our immune system. The primary source of vitamins is food. When ingested through a well balanced diet, vitamins become active substances assisting the body in achieving optimum health. There are times throughout life when we need vitamin supplements: i.e. taking medications which can impair absorption of nutrients. Vitamins can be classified into 2 groups, namely fat-soluble and water soluble. The 2 groups differ in their chemical structure, distribution in foods, and their functions. Moreover, deficiencies produced by the lack of each vitamin are specific. Fat soluble vitamins are absorbed by the intestinal tract with fats and require bile for their absorption. These vitamins are stored in the body, especially the liver. Water soluble vitamins are readily absorbed, but the body does not store them to any extent. Therefore, they must be provided on a daily basis in the diet. Fat soluble vitamins: Vitamin A Required for normal structure of bones and teeth, maintenance of outer layer of skin and the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. Bile is essential to the absorption of carotines from the intestines. The liver stores vitamin A and well nourished individuals have a sup­ ply to last for several months. Foods: Liver, kidney, egg yolk, butter, fortified margarine, whole milk, cream cheese, dark-green leafy and deep yellow vegetables, deep-yellow fruits. Vitamin D Required for the normal absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the gastrointestinal tract. Adults get enough vitamin D through ex­ posure of the skin to sunlight. People who work at night and sleep in the day, invalids and people who wear religious habits may re­ quire a vitamin D supplement. Foods: Fortified milk, concentrates(calciferol, viosterol), fish liver oils, exposure to ultraviolet rays of sun. Vitamin E Required for the protection of red blood cells and to prevent coronary disease. Foods: Salad oils, shortenings, margarines, whole grains, legumes, nuts, dark leafy vegetables. Vitamin K Required for blood clotting. Hemorrhage is the principal finding in vitamin K deficiency. Foods: Dark green leafy vegetables Water Soluble Vitamins Vitamin C (absorbic acid) Required for the building of collagen, the connective tissue protein that ‘cements’ the cells and tissues together. The body maintains a normal saturation of vitamin C but excessive intake are eliminative in the urine. Ascorbic acid improves absorp­ tion of iron from the intestines and is also needed to convert folacin into folic acid; this is required for the formation of hormones, it participates in the metabolism of amino acids and is essential for wound healing and helps to protect against infections. Vitamin C is called the ‘fresh food’ vitamin; raw fresh fruits or vegetables all contain vitamin C and should be incorporated in the daily diet. Foods: Citrus fruits, strawberries, cantaloupe, tomatoes, broccoli, raw green vegetables. Vitamin B1 - Thiamine Required for the breakdown of glucose to yield energy. Adequate functioning of thiamine maintains healthy nerves, a good mental out­ look, a normal appetite and good digestion. Foods: Pork, liver, other meats, poultry, dry beans and peas, peanut butter, enriched and whole grain bread, milk, eggs. Vitamin B2 - Riboflavin Required like B1 is concerned with the breakdown of glucose for energy Foods: milk, cheese, meat, poultry, fish, dark green leafy vegetables, enriched and whole grain breads. Niacin Required for the stepwise breakdown of glucose in metabolism. It is essential for a healthy skin, normal functioning of digestive tract and maintenance of the nervous system. Foods: meat, poultry, fish, dark green leafy vegetables, whole grain or enriched breads, cereals. Vitamin B6 Required for the production of antibodies. Foods: Meat, whole grain cereals, dark green vegetables, potatoes. Vitamin B12 Required for the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow'. It is the most complex of all vitamins. Folacin and Vitamin B12 are both needed for the formation of red blood cells. Foods: animal foods only: milk, eggs, meat, poultry , fish. Conclusion Vitamins should never be taken on an empty stomach. They should be taken a few minutes before the main meal or immediately after, so that they can be absorbed well with the other nutrients. Absorption on an empty stomach is almost nil. Next newsletter will present Minerals and Fiber. �AGGott Laboratories - A/cws Red ease AGGott Announces Difficulty Manufacturing Norvir (ritonavir) CapsnCes Company Plans to Substitute With Liquid Formulation Abbott Park, Illinois, July 27, 1998 - Abbott Laboratories announced that it is experiencing manufacturing difficulties with the capsule formulation of its HIV protease inhibitor, Norvir (ritonavir). “We have encountered an undesired formation of a Norvir crystalline structure that affects how the capsule form of Norvir dissolves,” said Arthur Higgins, senior vice president, pharmaceutical operations, Abbott Laboratories. “Although maximum efforts are underway, to date we do not have a solution to the capsule problem.” The manufacturing difficulties with Norvir capsules will result in shortages and interruption in supply of capsules. Abbott is planning to supply Norvir oral solution (liquid formulation) to provide continued Norvir therapy for patients. Norvir capsules currently in distribution are not affected by this issue. When used in accordance with the prescribing information, product on the market is safe and effective. “We deeply regret this inconvenience,” said Higgins. “Abbott is committed to doing everything it can to enable patients to continue Norvir therapy without interruption, and to resuming timely delivery of Norvir capsules.” The active ingredients in Norvir liquid and Norvir capsules are identical, as is their activity against HIV. Pharmacists and physicians are being informed of dosing instructions to address the capsule-to-liquid conversion. Abbott has contacted and is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products (EMEA) and other international regulatory agencies to address the problem. Abbott will be communicating with health care providers, consumers and the AIDS community through letters. In addition, the company has set up a toll-free number for inquiries and has placed information on its website. For health care provider and patient questions regarding Norvir liquid in the United States, call 1-800-637-2400 or visit www.norvir.com. Norvir is indicated in adults in combination with other anti-retroviral agents for the treatment of HIV infection. Norvir has also been cleared by the FDA for use in children between the ages of 2 and 16 based on safety and pharmacokinetic data. Norvir may not be right for everyone, including people with liver disease, hepatitis, or hemophilia. Elevated blood sugar levels have been reported in patients taking protease inhibitors. Allergic reactions ranging from mild to sever have been reported. Common adverse reactions include fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, taste disturbance, tingling sensation or numbness in the hands, feet, or around the lips, headache and dizziness. Frequently observed adverse events may diminish as therapy is continued. Norvir should not be used with certain medications including some non-sedating antihistamines, sedative hypnotics, antiarrhythmics, or ergot alkaloid preparations. Recent projections estimated $250 million of Norvir sales for the entire year of 1998. While the company cannot at this time predict the impact of this Norvir substitution on sales, Abbott remains committed to meeting its stated goal of low double­ digit earnings per share growth. Questions Q. Is there a cost difference between Norvir capsules and Norvir oral solution (liquid)? A. Our price for the two formulations is approximately the same. Q. Am I at greater risk for resistance with the Norvir oral solution (liquid) formulation vs. capsules? A. No. Norvir oral solution (liquid) and Norvir capsules are identical in their activity against HIV. With HIV therapies, patient compliance is an essential component in preventing drug resistance. It is critical for you to take your medication at the prescribed dose and time recommended by your health care provider. If you have questions about the liquid, contact your physician immediately. �for your Information HIV. NEVER SHARING NEEDLES If you must take injectable drugs, never share needles or other works with other people. USE OF CLEAN NEEDLES AND SYRINGES Use of clean needles and syringes will decrease the chances of ac­ quiring or transmitting HIV. TESTING OF BLOOD DONORS In most developed countries, all blood donors are tested for HIV antibodies. Their blood will not be used if they are tested HIV positive. HIV IT AIDS 1 Jnfo. * From: Black CAP Links, Spring 1998 Some Facts About AIDS www.catie.ca The Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Ex­ change (from British Columbia Centre for Excellence In HIV/AIDS, March 1998, Volume 6, Issue 1) The CATIE site, known as The Network, provides up-to-date treatment information from Canada and beyond. Founded as part of the activist group AIDS Action Now!, CATIE is an inde­ pendent, non-profit community-based organization. Its goal is to help people living with HIV/AIDS make informed health care decisions. The Network includes information on what’s new in the area of drugs, other medical treatments and complementary thera­ pies. There is also access to CATIE’s publication list on symp­ toms, diagnosis, prevention, accessibility, and treatment re­ search. An outstanding feature of the site is the fact sheets on every­ thing from Amphotericin to Viral Load Measurement, making it a great boon to everyone dealing with HIV or caring for some­ one with the virus. BACK - TO - SCHOOL SOCIAL An event for the gay, lesbian, bisexual community and friends &. transgendered I -fir ‘S’ •S' Saturday, September 19,1998 -ar -ar Ukrainian Labour Temple 203 Ogden Street 9:00 p.m. till 1:00 a.m. Cost: $6.00 -sr SE^ SE%> S^lo E^jo E ^o s^p J^o £%> £^o 3E^ S ^o E ^o g ^ o SE^o £%> JE^o HIV is transmitted through the exchange of blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk. The major ways of HIV transmission include the following: • Unprotected sexual contact with an infected person. • Sharing contaminated needles among injecting drug users. • Vertical transmission from HIV-infected women to their babies or through breast feeding after birth. While the above are proven to transmit HIV the following facts should also be noted: • HIV does not survive well without a living host, so envi­ ronmental transmission is very unlikely. • Casual contact through closed-mouth or “social” kissing is not a risk for transmission of HIV. • Contact with saliva, tears, or sweat has never been shown to result in HIV transmission. • There is no evidence of HIV transmission through insects. • There is no risk of HIV infection through donating blood. HIV infection is entirely preventable if we avoid certain risky behaviours. These are some ways to prevent HIV transmission: ABSTINENCE You may choose to abstain from sexual intercourse altogether or have sex only with the proper use of a barrier. USE OF CONDOMS When latex condoms are used consistently and correctly, they can greatly reduce a person’s risk of acquiring or transmitting 5 - - & �vj/ My name is Brenda Joy LeSage. I am a proud Aboriginal HIV positive woman, j mother and grandmother. I went public with HIV as soon as this disease was y given to me by a person who seemed to hate women. I also know women who \i, \j/ may hide their HIV status and risk infecting men. It works both ways. No mat­ \\/ ter what people tell you, do not blindly accept that what they are telling you is \|/ \[/ the truth. I believe I became infected when I was doing intravenous drugs. I 0 i!'and others in my circle of friends did not share our rigs. That was the rule. i o. During the time that I was seeing this man, I had been going through a rough emotional time. I got careless with my equipment and allowed him to fix me. He * was tripping on hitting me up. At that time, I was high and I didn't care about J anything. I was self-destructing. I don't blame him. After four years of coming Vto terms with this disease, through the help of the AIDS Committee of Thun';, der Bay, ongoing information, support groups, and counselling, and reconnecting y with my native beliefs, I have come full circle with my anger and shame. I know v,; that it is my responsibility to look after my own rigs. So, no matter what, don't vV believe someone you don't really know. If you are going to use intravenous ^ drugs, always know that if you get careless, you may end up with something you x,/ didn't expect. You will have to deal with the consequences. When you are drink­ \]/ \j/ ing or taking a variety of drugs that alter your state, you naturally might have vl/ sex. Always use a condom. Carry them with you. Read the expiry date. Use only y latex condoms. If you need lube, use only water-based ones like KY, or Asvl/troglide. Never use vaseline or baby oil. I have been a board member at the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay for v,; the past two years. Being able to tell my story might stop someone from be­ coming infected. I take vitamins, follow the traditional path as best as I can. Vv This does not mean that I don't have my down times or falter, but I feel bet■' ter about myself. In my spare time, I spend a lot of time with people - on the v|/‘ street, in bars, coffee shops, in their homes, talking to them, telling my story, J'and educating my peers about HIV, Hep C and AIDS-defining diseases. They 'yare listening and interested. In the beginning, they avoided me. Now they ask '^questions and tell me their stories. There are still many people out there who t are HIV positive and not aware of the services available. I tell everyone I 2 know. There are also people who are afraid of being tested. It is only through persistence that I have been able to meet people who are otherwise under\|/ \i/i ground. I am a caregiver and enjoy helping others through public speaking, dis­ \l/ tributing information and supplies. It keeps me going. My only wish is to stop the spread of HIV. Meegwetch. / V1/ \l/ \l/ \l/ \|/ ' \l/ 6- - �Here and Tfiere ... ATTENTION VOLUNTEERS We want to know how to contact you. If you have had a change in address, phone number, time of availability, or area of interest, please call in your current information to Selly at 345-1516. We now have bingos on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. Because of having two a month, we need even more volunteers than usual. If you can help at a bingo, call Selly. The AIDS Walk and AIDS Awareness Week are coming up quickly. If you would like to volunteer for these events, call ACT-B. Let’s begin this AIDS Awareness Week with thousands of Thunder Bay people wearing Red Ribbons. On November 21, the AIDS Committee will conduct a Red Ribbon Tag Day. If you are interested in helping with the project, call Selly at 345-1516. We will be needing a large number of volunteeers. AIDS Awareness Week will run from November 23rd to 30th. 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 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 WISH LIST The AIDS Committee recently received the donation of a freezer for our Mother’s Cupboard food bank. If you have any freezer baskets or plastic milk crates that you no longer need, we would truly appreciate it if you would donate them to us. Our sincere thanks go to Ray Laird and Lawrence Korhonen for the freezer. When do I need to submit my application for membership? Membership in ACT-B Why should I become a member? According to the ACT-B by-laws, your mem­ bership must be received at least 30 days prior to the Annual General Meeting (in mid-November) for you to be eligible for voting privileges. There­ fore, the deadline for receipt of your member­ Membership brings with it many benefits. Becoming an active voting member of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay means that you: ♦ Have a say in the direction of the agency ♦ Have paid the annual membership fees ♦ Support the aims and objectives of the agency ♦ Can attend and 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 Alongside these direct benefits for you, membership also plays a big role in direct benefits for the agency. Companies will invest in organizations where community members are willing to invest. A large membership speaks volumes to donors and grant providers; commitment from members often translates into commitment for more funding. So, you can be sure that your membership is helping the agency to grow and expand, in more ways than one! ship application is October 9, 1998. How do I apply for membership? The last page of this newsletter has a cut-out membership form that you can fill in and mail to the ACT-B office at Box 24025 RPO Downtown North, Thunder Bay, ON P7A 8A9. For a volunteer-based social service agency, the Board of Directors is an important link to the community. The Board oversees how the agency runs and sets its direction. At the Annual General Meeting in November, a new Board will be elected. If you are intending to participate in the election, you must have a valid membership 30 days prior to the meeting. Call the office to check on the status of or to renew your membership. 7- - �ikP7 Parting QCancc ACT-B Advisory QoumcIS Other Things You Should Know - Fred Ball New Prevention Brochures Mary Lee Barry Karen O’Gorman Richard Atkinson Gail Linklater Dr. Gordon Milne Carmen Blais A new series of prevention brochures has been released by ACT-B. The three brochures provide information about the risks of HIV infection, and are targeted at hard-to-reach youth and young adult audiences. Based on material from the Village Clinic in Winnipeg, the brochures address oral sex and HIV transmission, sexual intercourse and HIV transmission and attitudes around HIV infection. These brochures use plain language and are designed for specific outreach work. Also new from ACT-B is a brochure called Safety in Body Art: Tattooing, Body Piercing & HIV/AIDS. Our thanks to Counterpoint needle exchange in London for permission to redo this brochure. Diana Smith Nicky Tittley Rev. Don Uhryniw Dawn Kannegiesser Director, Regional Public Health Laboratory Ogden East End CHC Addiction Research Foundation Co-Chair Crossroads Centre Family Physician Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre Public Health Nurse, Thunder Bay District Health Unit Safety Coordinator, Thunder Bay Regional Hospital Current River United Church, Council of Clergy Co-Chair ACT-B Board of Directors Northern Pride Rick Atkinson Deborah Emery, Pres. Brenda LeSage Michelle Mainville Pius White Don Young The support and education group for lesbian, gay and bisexual youth enters its fourth year of biweekly meetings starting September 8th. The facilitators. Barb Spencer and Dave Belrose, have been conducting workshops with local agencies, but feel there is a real need for schools in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario to begin to address the issue of sexual orientation and make the schools safer for all students. Please contact us if you would like to help in this effort to reduce harrassment, dropping out, substance use, and suicide. Parents, teachers, administrators and youth all have a role to play in creating safer schools. James Budd Dawn Kannegiesser Rob MacKay Bruno Valente Darryl Williams AC7-B Staff Janet Adams Christa Alsch David Belrose Sheila Berry Stuart Boland Joanne Books John Books Daryle Cano Doug Kanto Lawrence Korhonen Selly Pajamaki Michael Sobota 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 Substance Use Outreach Project Counselling Conference Coordinator Fund Raising Coordinator Support Worker/Health Promoter Development Assistant Administration Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator Executive Director reAC7-Bo£leve Contributors Selly Pajamaki 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 ofA CT-B! I know that my contribution will really count! Here is my donation $10.00___, $20.00___. $50.00___, other___ Name:_____________________________________________ Please address any comments or concerns to reACT-Believe P.O. Box 24025 RPO Downtown North Thunder Bay ON P7A 8A9 (807) 345-1516 Address:___________________________________________ City, Province & P.C:________________________________ Telephone:_________________________________________ 8- - � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource David Belrose fonds Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource reACT-Believe Vol 11 Issue 2 - Fall 1998 Subject The topic of the resource Organizations Health and Medicine Description An account of the resource Newsletter of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1998 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/17/2692/1998_reACT-Believe_vol11no3_2.pdf 6ae03592d5038d3db61bc0322b844e67 PDF Text Text reACT-Believe The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Winter 1998 Volume 11, Issue 3 ADDS Awareness Weed & HoCidav Jssne S9H ... The Faces of HIV/AIDS General Campaign November 23-30, 1998 Targeted Campaign Spring 1999 "As Canada’s largest prevention initiative, the national AIDS awareness campaign is central to HIV/AIDS prevention efforts, and ultimately to the health of all Canadians. It is an occasion to celebrate the accomplishments of the AIDS movement in Canada and to acknowledge the contributions of so many.” - Allan Rock, Minister of Health The 1998/1999 national AIDS awareness campaign, to be launched during National AIDS Awareness Week (November 23 to November 30), will build on the 1997/1998 campaign theme with modifications and updates. The Faces of HIV/AIDS reflects the reality of HIV/AIDS in Canada. While on one hand, people living with HIV/AIDS are living longer due to new and improved treatments, on the other hand, the number of new infections each year is on the rise. More and more Canadians are being affected. The campaign is designed to motivate Canadians to become more aware and involved in the prevention of HIV. In Northwestern Ontario, the change in the faces of HIV/ AIDS has been very dramatic. As of the fall of 1998, 95 percent of the people living with HIV/AIDS that come to ACT-B for services are heterosexual men and women, while only 5 percent are gay men. Many have injection drug use backgrounds, many are Aboriginal people, many have partners and/or children. The faces of HIV/AIDS in this area cover a : •; 7® broad spectrum. This is truly an issue that affects the entire community. AIDS Awareness Week offers an opportunity to learn more about the impact HIV/AIDS is having on your community. • Attend one of the events planned for the week: - ACT-B Annual General Meeting, Wednesday, November 25 will feature Dr. Richard Fralick, a member of the Toronto HIV Primary Care Group - Candlelight Vigil of remembrance on Thursday, November 26 - Public Forum on World AIDS Day, Monday Dec. 1 at the Waverley Resource library • Visit information displays at various community agencies • Drop in to the AIDS Committee, pick up information, browse the library, talk to a staff person • Call the AIDS Committee office or watch the newspaper for additional events and activities. David Belrose, Education Coordinator Under Our Cover ... Education Update AIDS Awareness Week Schedule Fundraising News Health Promotion Insert For Your Information Letters Here and There Parting Glance jjj| May the Blessings of ^ ^ the Season be yours ^ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& rr^-' n” wi— tv wi— n’' If** 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 �education Update and other factors that are critical to young peo­ ple's health and development including, in this an­ niversary year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the promotion and protection of their rights. Force for Change: World AIDS Campaign with Young People The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/ AIDS (UNAIDS) and its co-sponsors and part­ ners have chosen to focus the 1998 World AIDS Campaign on young people. The main reasons for this focus are: Over 50% of new infections with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, are now occurring in young people in the 10-24 age group. Young peo­ ple are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection and are being very seriously affected by the epi­ demic. Young people have the power to change the course of the epidemic. Young people are not only being infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, but they are also a key resource in mobilizing an expanded and effective response. In preparing their campaign, UNAIDS has been advised by a Steering Committee composed of its cosponsors (UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, UNESCO, WHO, and World Bank) as well as the Association Francois-Xavier Bagnould, Education Interna­ tional, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Cresceni Societies, MTV International, Rotary International, and the World Assemble of Youth. Note: The article above came from the UNAIDS web site. If you would like further information, please contact ACT-B at 345-1516 or visit the site at http://www.unaids.org/unaids/events/ wad/1998 The campaign will be a chance to sustain the mo­ mentum created during last year's campaign on the theme of "Children living in a world with AIDS" and to build on some of the initiatives that were begun over the past months. Similarly, it is hoped that the activities initiated during the course of this year will be carried over be­ yond the year-end, and that the campaign will be seen as an occasion to develop new approached and to achieve consensus about what needs to be done in both the immediate future and the longer term. Are you looking for Information about HIV/AIDS? Books Videotapes Audio tapes Reference/ Research HIV/AIDS Treat­ ment Information Brochures Posters The theme that has been selected for the 1998 campaign is "Force for Change: World AIDS Campaign with Young People." This highlights the intention of the Steering Committee that the campaign be used as a real opportunity to set up and strengthen processes for involving young people in reducing the spread of HIV, as well as mobilizing support for young people who are al­ ready suffering from the impact of the epidemic on their own lives, their families and their com­ munities. The campaign also provides a platform for emphasizing the links between HIV/AIDS Visit the Resource Centre AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay 217 S. Afgoma St. (Algoma and Corn­ wall) 9:30-4:30 Monday to Friday Call 345-1516 E-mail: actb@tbaytel.net 2- �EVENT SCHEDULE AIDS AWARENESS WEEK 1998 Date Event Saturday, Nov.21 ACT-B Tag Day Monday, Nov. 23 Northern Access to HIV Care - focus groups for PHAs during day Healthy Sex Night for Men/ Healthy Sex Night for Women 7:00 PM Lakehead University Residence Conference Centre Tuesday, Nov. 24 ACT-B Bingo Wednesday, Nov. 25 ACT-B Annual General Meeting Unitarian House 7:00 PM Speaker: Dr. Richard Fralick, HIV Specialist Silent Auction Thursday, Nov. 26 Candlelight Vigil 7:30 PM (Silent Walk from ACT-B - weather permitting) Unitarian House, 129 S. Algoma St. various locations Condom blitz - Lakehead University Outpost Monday, Nov. 30 HIV Testing Information Night 7:00 PM Lakehead University Residence Conference Centre Tuesday, Dec. 1 “AIDS-Proofing Your Kids” Public forum for World AIDS Day “Force for families 7:00 PM Waverley Resource Library Change: World AIDS Campaign Auditorium with Young People" Other events Thunder Bay District Health Unit - Safer Sex campaign with “Lifesaver Lollipops” Thunder Bay Regional Hospital - lobby displays at McKellar and Port Arthur campuses Family Services Thunder Bay - information display Listing as of October 22, 1998. Other events/activities may be added prior to AIDS Awareness Week. Please call 345-1516 for current information. Take Note The Annual General Meeting of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay will be held on Wednesday, November 25,1998 at the Unitarian Hall at 129 S. Algoma St., Thunder Bay Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., Meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. to conduct agency business and elect the 1998 Board of Directors. Guest speaker will be Dr. Richard Fralick of the Toronto HIV Pri­ mary Care Group. There will be a Silent Auction. Everyone is welcome. 3- - �fundraising News award for the most pledges collected by a group. AIDS Walk Success Thank you, Thunder Bay! The AIDS The fun doesn’t stop with the Walk - we have more fund Committee of Thunder Bay is grateful for the raising events coming up all the time. The next big event generosity of all those who supported the is the Tag Day on Saturday, November 21st. If you’re recent AIDS Walk. Whether you pledged a interested in helping out, call Selly at 345-1516. friend or co-worker, contributed a prize or sponsorship money, your support made this NATIONAL FOUNDING SFONSOt COMMANOIIAIK FONDATEUt event the most successful ever: $25,000 was raised to help in the fight against AIDS in Thunder Bay. Thank you local sponsors and contributors. Sponsors: The Outpost Pub, Bell Canada, Thunder Bay Telephone, Pizza Hut, Domino’s Pizza, Dr. Donaldson Media Sponsors: The Chronicle-Journal, KDCX FM Contributors: Canadian Regional, Lakehead Travel, Delta Chelsea Inn (Toronto), Valhalla Inn, Grand Portage Lodge, Rose Valley Lodge and Restaurant, Moxies, Superpet, Zeller’s, Michael’s Hair Design, Coca Cola Bottling, Magnus Theatre, Molson’s, WalMart, Canada Safeway (Arthur St.), Neebing Roadhouse, Blockbuster Video, Good News Cafe, Fresh Air Experience, native Arts & Crafts, J.B. Evans, Morvision Video Productions and Balloon Thunder Bay. And, thank you to the National Sponsors of this event ( see the adjoining column). MOLSON Canadian OFFICIAL AllllNE OF AIDS WALK CANADA 'ft Tl ANSPOITl Ut AtlllN OFfiCItl 0U MAtCHfTHON NATIONAL DU SIDA !??• NATIONAL LEAD SFONSOI FA IT iN Alt 1 ASSOClt Maclean’s L'actualite ukuAMttf o+0CM*AflcmouQutllc ■ NATIONAL FAITNEK SFONSOtS FAtTENAItES NATIONAUX The Walk was a very enjoyable event, thanks to: Norm Sponchia, M.C.; Nancy St. Jarre and Patti Ogilvie, entertainers; the staff of the Outpost; the many ACT-B volunteers; Lawrence Korhonen and Christa Alsch, staff; and also the Walk Committee: Sherry Britton, Doug Kanto, Serge & Nicky Tittley, Carol Nicholson, Selly Pajamaki, Karen Vescio, and Carri Whidden. ALDO Shoes/Choussures ALDO Glaxo Wellcome in partnership with/partenaires BioChem Pharma Hoffmann-la Roche Limited/Limitee Merck Frosst Canada Inc. The Life and Health Insurance Companies in Canada Les societes d'assurances de personnes au Canada The top prizes for the most amount of money raised by an individual for the Walk went to the following people: - 1st prize: Teresa Miller who collected $1,767.50 - 2nd prize: Barb Spencer who collected $652.00 -3rdprize: Maria Fiorot who collected $555.25 - 4th prize: Selly Pajamaki who collected $505.00 Together, these four people raised $3,479.75. Our sincere appreciation and thanks to them and all of the other walkers who helped to make the Walk a great success again! Other prize winners were: - Kenora House was the LU residence that collected the most pledges - Westgate Collegiate & Technical Institute won the Red Ribbon Trophy for the most pledges collected by a local high school - the Golden Woodie was awarded to the 4th year Social Work class at LU - the team from St. Paul’s United Church won the team NATIONAL SUrrOITEt JfONSOtS SUFFOITEUtS NATIONAUX Abbott loborcrtorin, limited/lobora loir *t Abbott, limit** BmkJ-My»c» Sqoibb Pbomtocaufical Grawp/Groop* phon»oc*vtiqu« Canadian Corporal* N«wt/Commvnicotiom CCN CANPAR Trent port Limrt*d/Tram port CAN PAR Um Royol Bank Financial Grovp/Group* financier Bonqvt Royal* Tb* Printing Houm Lid Yahoo! Canodo www.yaboo.co A MOJECT OF / UN FtOiET DE LA Canadian AIDS Society SocitU canndicnne dusida in porftwrthip w.ih community AIDS orgorwiotiom ocroti Canodo /•n collaboration o>k Ui o'goniwn«t communowtoii*! d* lun* conlr* W tido d* lout** W» rAgiont du poy» 4- - �New Ways to Take Old Drugs By Greg Miller, reprinted from "STEPPerspective. Your Northwest Treatment Journal" Winter 1998 In the past two years, we have seen the introduction of two new classes of antiretroviral drugs, protease inhibitors and non­ nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. These new drug classes have greatly advanced the drug treatment of HIV infection. Recently, two additional drug products have been introduced, Combivir and Fortovase. These two products are not new drugs; rather they are new formulations of medications already in use. This article will briefly review these agents and highlight the advantages and potential drawbacks of each. One challenge facing people taking multiple medications to treat HIV infection is adherence to often complicated drug regimens. Due to the importance of proper medication taking, a current strategy is to simplify drug dosing by designing combination therapy with fewer tablets or dosing times per day. Combivir is an attempt to accomplish this. GlaxoWellcome has taken two of its products, Retrovir (AZT) and Epivir (3TC) and placed them into 1 tablet. This new product is called Combivir. For people taking Retrovir lOOmg capsules, 2 capsules 3 times daily and Epivir 150mg tablets 2 times a day, this change would provide a decrease from 8 tablets/capsules daily to just 2 tablets per day. Each Combivir tablet contains 300mg of AZT and 150mg of 3TC. Dosing recommendations are to take 1 Combivir tablet 2 times daily. This matches the dose of 3TC taken by a great majority of people who take this drug (150mg 2 times a day). However, doses of AZT are more variable. Common dosing schedules for AZT include lOOmg 3 times daily, 200mg 2 times a day, 200mg 3 times daily, and 300mg 2 times a day. Daily doses of AZT range from 300mg to 600mg per day, and sometimes higher. The dosage adjustments are frequently made to eliminate or minimize side effects that may occur with AZT. People who are taking AZT and 3TC separately and wish to switch to Combivir to take advantage of the simpler dosing regimen should compare their current dose and frequency of AZT and 3TC to that provided by Combivir. Because of the variety of AZT dosing, it may be impossible to match the daily dose of AZT a person is taking, the schedule of their AZT, or both. Be aware that any changes caused by this switch could have consequences. If the daily dose is higher, using Combivir may lead to an increase in side effects. If it is lower, or the dosage interval (time between doses) is longer, there is the possibility of different therapeutic effect. Often a switch can be made with little or no noticeable difference. Additionally, for people not currently taking AZT or 3TC who wish to start taking Combivir, the dosage adjustments made to AZT to reduce side effects or to 3TC because of decreased kidney function are not possible due to the fixed combination in this preparation. While Combivir may simplify the drug-taking regimen for people taking AZT and 3TC, the inability to adjust dosing should be considered when prescribing or taking Combivir. Adverse reactions associated with either AZT or 3TC can be seen with Combivir. These include fatigue, headache, nausea, insomnia, and hematologic (blood) toxicities, including low red or white blood cell counts, and effects on the pancreas or nerves of the hands or feet. Saquinavir was approved for use in the United States as a hard capsule with the brand name Invirase. The major concern with Invirase was poor oral absorption. Saquinavir is an effective antiretroviral if it can reach effective levels in the blood. Hoffman-LaRoche, the maker of Invirase, reports an average of only 4% bioavailability (amount of an oral dose that reaches the bloodstream). Efforts to improve bioavailability have resulted in the release of a new soft gel formulation of saquinavir, called Fortovase. The active drug, saquinavir, is the same. When taking Fortovase, the amount of saquinavir that reaches a person’s bloodstream is increased in two ways. First, the soft gel formulation increases the bioavailability (absorption) of saquinavir by 3 to 5 times. Second, HoffmanLaRoche doubled the recommended dose of saquinavir from 1800mg per day with Invirase (3 200mg capsules 3 times daily) to 3600mg per day with Fortovase (6 200mg capsules 3 times daily). These two factors, improved absorption and doubled dose, result in blood levels approximately 9 or 10 times higher when Fortovase is taken compared to Invirase. Dosing concerns are the same with Fortovase as they are with Invirase. They both must be taken after a meal, preferably a high-fat meal, to get the desired absorption. It should be noted that the recommended dose of Fortovase is 18 capsules per day, increased from 9 capsules per day with Invirase. This can be an obstacle to proper drug-taking for some people. While the number of capsules and daily dosage has increased, Hoffman-LaRoche has priced Fortovase at the same daily cost (i.e. 18 Fortovase capsules cost the same as 9 Invirase capsules). This means that the cost of each 200mg capsule of Fortovase is one-half the cost of a 200mg capsule of Invirase. Approximately half of the people taking saquinavir are using it in combination with a second protease inhibitor, ritonavir (Norvir). The recommended dose of Fortovase when used in combination with ritonavir is the same dose as Invirase in combination with ritonavir - usually 400mg twice a day. Remembering that Fortovase cost per capsule is half that of Invirase and the dosage is the same when used in combination with ritonavir, the cost of this double-protease inhibitor therapy is reduced by switching to Fortovase. One additional concern with Fortovase not faced with Invirase is storage requirements. Fortovase should be refrigerated prior to dispensing. When stored in the refrigerator, Fortovase will be good for the entire shelf life as indicated by the date on the bottle. When stored at room temperature (77 degrees Fahrenheit), Fortovase will be good for only three months. Care should be taken to prevent Fortovase from reaching temperatures higher than this. Side effects with Fortovase remain the same as with Invirase: diarrhea, nausea, abdominal discomfort, or stomach pain. As more drug is absorbed, there may be an increase in the incidence or severity of these side effects. �Mineral Elements - Submitted by Ingrid Buahene, Nutritionist Mineral elements do not exist in foods, but are combined in salts; for example sodium chloride. They may also be combined with organic compounds; iron in hemoglobin and sulfur in almost all proteins. Unlike carbohydrates, fats and proteins, mineral elements cannot be used for energy. They are found in all body tissues and fluids. We differentiate between macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients are those major elements that occur in the largest amounts, whereas micronutrients or trace elements are found in very small amounts. Macronutrients Calcium - 99% of the body calcium is found in the bones and teeth where it is combined with phosphorus and other elements to give rigidity to the skeleton. Calcium is required for the complex process of blood coagulation, controls the transmission of nerve messages, and brings about the normal contraction of muscles, including the heart. Food Sources - any kind of milk, hard cheeses, kale, turnip greens, mustard greens, broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower rate as fair sources. Among fruits, oranges contribute some calcium. Canned salmon gives calcium if the tiny bones are eaten. Meats and cereal are poor sources of calcium. Deficiency becomes evident only after years of inadequate intake - such as osteoporosis, especially in older women. The causes of the condition are complex, but non-milk drinkers are more susceptible than those who drink milk throughout life. Phosphorous - is essential for building bones and teeth. Phosphalipids - regulate absorption and transport of fats. They also regulate the storage and releasing of energy ac­ cording to the body needs. They supply enzymes that are required to utilize carbohydrates, fats, proteins and buffer salts in the regulation of acid-base balance. Food Sources - milk, meat, poultry, fish, egg yolks, legumes and nuts are rich sources. Magnesium - 60% of it is found in bones and teeth. Together with other mineral elements, magnesium regulates irrita­ bility and muscle contraction and activates many enzymes involved in energy metabolism. Micronutrients Iron - most of it is present in the hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is carried in the circulation in the red blood cells. It picks up oxygen in the lungs and transports the oxygen to the tissues so that oxidation reactions can take place in the cells. From the cells, the hemoglobin carries carbon dioxide to the lungs to be exhaled. Iron is also a constituent of many en­ zymes that are required for the use of glucose and fatty acids for energy. When the red blood cells are destroyed after their lifespan of about 120 days, the hemoglobin is broken down. The iron that is released is used over and over again. Food Sources - meat, any kind of organ meat, especially liver, legumes and nuts, dark green, leafy vegetables of all kinds. Fruits are fair contributors, dried prunes, apricots, peaches and raisins are rich in iron, but their infrequent use means that daily intake is not importantly affected. Molasses is a good source of iron. Deficiency - Iron deficiency anemia is found in infants and young women. Iodine - is stored chiefly in the thyroid gland, but is also present in trace amounts in all cells. It is an essential constitu­ ent that regulates energy metabolism. Food Sources - saltwater fish, shell fish. The most reliable way to ensure adequate intake is through the use of iodized salt. Zinc - it is part of the enzyme that transfers carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs, it is essential for the produc­ tion of insulin by the pancreas. Food Sources - it is widely distributed in plants and meats that are good sources of protein. There is little chance of zinc deficiency when a varied diet is consumed. Fluoride - exists in the body in compounds called fluorides. Traces of fluoride are beneficial in protecting teeth from decay and are useful in maintaining bone structure. Source - best provided in the water supply. Other Trace Elements: Chromium - involved in carbohydrate metabolism Cobalt - a constituent of B12. Copper - a catalyst for hemoglobin formation. Manganese - enzyme system, normal for bone structure, blood formation. Selenium - related to activity of vitamin E. �for your Information Women and HIV/AIDS Why arc women vulnerable to HIV infection? Women are biologically more vulnerable than men to HIV infection. Studies have found that male to female transmis­ sion appears to be two to four times greater than female to male transmission. This is in part because semen contains a far higher concentration of HIV than vaginal fluid and also because there is usually much more semen than vaginal fluid present in sexual encounters. The presence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) which cause genital ulcers, such as chlamydia and herpes, has been shown to increase the risk of acquiring HIV infec­ tion in the event of exposure to the virus. Given that women often do not suffer from symptoms of STDs, they may go untreated and undiagnosed. Women between the ages of 15 and 19 report the highest rates of STDs and are therefore a high risk age group. The economic, social and physical power imbalance between men and women contributes to the lack of safety in sexual relationships and the difficulty for many women in negoti­ ating safer sex. To do so may have repercussions, ranging from stigma to fear of violence or abandonment. Women in abusive relationships are at a greater risk of HIV infection. Low self-esteem and the fear of instigating violence within an abusive relationship limit an abused »■«* »•«* !■«* *•** *■«* i* K** o woman's ability to insist on condom use with her partner. This risk is an invisible and deadly form of violence against women. In many relationships (abusive and non-abusive), especially with longer-term partners, there is a tendency to associate non-condom use with loyalty, trust or love. It also appears that fear of pregnancy, not the fear of HIV or STDs motivates condom use. Condom use therefore has shown to decline in women who rely on oral contraceptives as a method of birth control. Other factors associated with not wearing condoms includes an increased number of partners, embarrassment about buying condoms, difficulty discussing condom use with a partner, insufficient knowledge about HIV and STDs and the belief that condoms interfere with sexual pleasure. ...continuedon page 8 Service bitingue 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 internet: www.catie.ca Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange catie ***■ »•<* ** t* *** K** »■«*- »•;** ***► A Message From Santa's Elves Christmas is fast approaching and here at the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay we are once more in need of "Secret Santa's." Providing something special for Christmas has become an ongoing tradition which we invite you to participate in. The number of individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS has increased yet again. Unfortunately, this includes children. The reality for many is that once they are affected, their support systems vanish. The holiday season, where family and friends are stressed, is particularly poignant for those rejected by famil­ iar faces. 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 provide 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. Baskets and stockings are needed by December 17th at the latest for Christmas delivery. Please contact either Marge at 622-0462 or Liisa at 344-8443 to choose a family or an individual and make arrangements for pickup. Thank you in advance for your caring and gracious support. Mwige Cxcta and fata Ctax/U, Christmas ’98 Santa's Elves ** �☆ ☆ lir yV yy y ^ 'it The Light at the End of The year - by Michael Sobota ☆ 3 am writing, this newt the end of October. She earth is shifting and 3hunder Slag find* itself, tilted further and further awag from hath the light and wwimth of the sun. 3 now came to warii in the dwth and within a few- weeds will he, going home after the waxhdag in the dwth. We axe advancing toward wintex and the darkest dag of the geax. Shis is routine, expected, (<not a hig thing”. While these conditions lend themselves towaxd some difficult months ahead, theix flip-sides axe equallg relevant. Wintex is a time fox closeness, a time fox tucking-in, fox slowing oux hectic ☆ yy pace, fox contemplation and productive thought. 3t is a time when closeness yy is both sought out and forced upon us. (Is we head into these daxhlg rich, quietlg cold months, 3 am gxateful fox the ☆ preparation that 303-3$ has done to get us readg. 3his has been a thick, ☆ busg geax of woxh at oux ageneg. Some of it is vexg visible: if gou have visl^T ited oux location since last summer, gou can see the changes, you axe greeted with a warm and welcoming reception area and equallg warm volunteer reyy ceptienist. Some staff offices have been relocated to provide easier traffic yy flow, consolidation of like services, and a better sense of comfort and confidentialitg. 3his has been a geax of significant training fox staff, upgrading ^ shills and knowledge levels through participation in the (Ontario 333)S Afetwoxh peer shills building workshops, through regional and provincial confer^ ences, through local workshop and training sessions and improved peer netyy working. 0X13-3$ now has an ageneg web site and internet access. Other a equipment improvements resulted from one-time 333)S 3$ureau funding to the Ontario 333)S Afetwork. ^ 3s 3all advances into Wintex, the flow of people through oux doors hasn’t ^ diminished. We are being accessed bg more clients than ever before, we wel☆ come new volunteers each month, colleagues in health come to oux location yy fox diverse meetings. 303-3$ is a warm and busg place. 3he coffeepot is yy usuatlg on, ox the kettle available to be plugged in. We are grateful fox this busg utter-change of people and support. ☆ 3he light at the end of this geax - the external, phgsical light - decreases. Si☆ multaneouslg, all the inner light of all the hundreds of people whose paths ☆ cross inside oux walls, increases and multiplies, yeah, wintex is coming. Afot yy to woxxg. 3ag attention to goux pace. 3hank gou fox gear work. Qlow. ☆ Michael Sobota is the Executive Director of The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ 6- - �Here and 7Acre... OOO O OOO OOOOOOOOOO O O O t ATTENTION VOLUNTEERS ? ^ I would like to thank all of the many Y ^ volunteers who helped to make AIDS Walk 98 ^ such a great success. There were approximately 60 ^ volunteers involved with the Walk - we would have been lost without them. In particular 1 ft would like to thank Sherry Britton, for the V Y fantastic job she did in soliciting prizes from local V Y companies; Carol Nicholson and her group of ^ ? volunteers for their work in the Children’s ? <5* Activity Centre; and Karen Vescio tor finding ft ft V corporate sponsors. ft *5* AIDS Awareness Week will run from § ft <g» November 23rd to 30th this year. As part of the <g» <§* activities, the AIDS Committee will conduct a <§* <5* Red Ribbon Tag Day on Saturday, November ft Y 21st. If you are interested in helping with the Y project, call Selly at 345-1516. We will be needing 5? ^ a large number of volunteers. Y ft Bingo continues twice a month, on the second T § and fourth Tuesdays, if you’d like to help at a ? ft ^ bingo, call Selly. ft oopooooooooooooooooo ^¥V1?V¥V¥VV¥lii>1?VV<iii,VV¥¥ 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 Call 625-5981 About Regular HIV Testing Call the STD Clinics 625-5944 or 6227585 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 Support Services Activities It’s fall again - complete with coloured carpets of crunchy leaves, early morning frost, crisp autumn air, the ever increasing threat of snow, and preparations for winter. Fall is business. Here at ACT-B it’s busy. • The AIDS Walk was a tremendous success with support from local youth, family, friends and col­ leagues, area businesses, and Westgate and Port Arthur Collegiate High Schools. • The 7th Annual Regional Counselling Conference took place at the Prince Arthur Hotel in midOctober and was a great success with over 150 registrants, more than ever before. • Positive Support Group is running for 8 weeks. The last session will be in the first week of De­ cember. Details on times and dates, call Support Services. • Friends, Family and Partners Group for people affected by HIV and AIDS is in the process of organizing for a six week session. If you are interested in attending, please call and let us know. • Retreat for HIV Positive people and people with AIDS took place October 29 and 30th. • Mother’s Cupboard is stocking up the shelves. If you would like to bring in some items for the cupboard, you can drop them off at reception. We now have a freezer, so we can accept bread, mar­ garine, meat and frozen vegetables. • Secret Santas are busy collecting goodies for Holiday Baskets. If you are interested in doing a stocking or assembling a family basket, individually or with a group of friends or co-workers, call Marge Cross at 622-0462 or Liisa Clarke at 344-8443. • Northern Access to HIV Care Study is going to be gathering information over the next few months to assess the level of health care available to People with HIV or AIDS in Northern Ontario. This project is sponsored by the Ontario HIV Treatment Network and is being carried out in part­ nership with PHA’s, AIDS Services Organizations and various health-care providers across North­ ern Ontario. 7- - �iy Parting Qdance ACT-B Advisory Council! Co-Chair Director, Regional Public Health Laboratory Mary Lee Barry Ogden East End CHC Carmen Blais Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre Dawn Kannegiesser Co-chair Gail Linklater Crossroads Centre Dr. Gordon Milne Family Physician Karen O’Gorman Centre for Addiction & Mental Health Diana Smith Public Health Nurse, Thunder Bay District Health Unit Nicky Tittley Safety Coordinator, Thunder Bay Regional Hospital Rev. Don Uhryniw Current River United Church, Council of Clergy ACT-B Board of VIrectors Rick Atkinson James Budd Deborah Emery, Pres. Dawn Kannegiesser Brenda LeSage Rob MacKay Michelle Mainville Bruno Valente Pius White Darryl Williams Don Young Women and HIV/AIDS (Continued frompg. 5) Richard Atkinson Fred Ball Subordination in education, employment, social and legal status makes 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 subsistence sector or forced into commercial sex work. Attention to more immediate concerns of food, housing and addiction often takes priority over future concerns of HIV infection. Women also have a shorter survival rate than men diagnosed with AIDS. This may be due to: a) a misdiagnosis of early symptoms resulting in later diagnosis and treatment delay; b) exclusion from drug trials; c) lack of research in natural history of HIV disease in women; d) inadequate child care; and e) the way in which many women tend to care for others before themselves. KEY ISSUES ♦ ♦ An increasing number of Canadian women are contracting AIDS. Among them, 63% are due to heterosexual contact, 17% due to in­ jection drug use, with the remainder due to either the receipt of blood/blood products or undetermined factors. Women are one of the fastest growing popu­ lations infected with HIV. The World Health Organization estimates that over 15 million women will become infected with HIV by the year 2000. ACT-B Staff Janet Adams IDU Outreach Worker Christa Alsch Secretary David Belrose Education Coordinator Sheila Berry Support Services Coordinator Stuart Boland Substance Use Outreach Project John Books Fund Raising Coordinator Daryle Cano Support Worker/Health Promoter Lawrence Korhonen Administration Coordinator Selly Pajamaki Volunteer Coordinator Michael Sobota Executive Director Carri Whidden AIDS Awareness Week Coordinator rcACT-Boiieve 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. 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! 1 know that my contribution will really count! Here is my donation $10.00____ , $20.00____ , $50.00____ , other____ Name:_____________________________________________ Please address any comments or concerns to reACT-Believe P.O. Box 24025 RPO Downtown North Thunder Bay ON P7A 8A9 (807)345-1516 Address:___________________________________________ City, Province & P.C:________________________________ Telephone:_________________________________________ 8- - � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource David Belrose fonds Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource reACT-Believe Vol 11 Issue 3 - Winter 1998 Subject The topic of the resource Organizations Health and Medicine Description An account of the resource Newsletter of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1998 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/17/2693/1999_reACT-Believe_vol12no1_2.pdf 064bf515bb78bbc19e55db59f4a89d4f PDF Text Text reACT-Believe The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Spring 1999 Volume 12, Issue 1 Sprihtt/Summer JsSHe Changes at the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Michael Sobota, ACT-B’s long-standing Executive Director will be taking a leave of absence to work on a research project. The project is to document and write the history of the community-based response to HIV/AIDS in Ontario, focusing on the last two decades of this century. Michael will be on leave from ACT-B from June this year through November, 2000. While Michael’s leave signals a change for ACT-B, an orderly plan is in place to provide a smooth transition, without interruption to programs or services. The current ACT-B staff team remains in place. However, some staff will take on new positions and responsibilities. Lawrence Korhonen, currently Administration Coordinator, will become Executive Director. Lawrence is a senior staff person, having been with the agency since January, 1988. Selly Pajamaki will move from being ACT-B’s Volunteer Coordinator to Administration Coordinator. Carri Anne Whidden will be contracted as Volunteer Coordinator. Carri served in this position a couple of summers ago when previous Volunteer Coordinator Jo-Ann Jacomb took a summer’s leave of absence. As with any change, this transition will need some time - and your support - to fully function harmoniously and smoothly. We invite your trust and support. Michael is not leaving the city. He will be working on the history project from his home. He welcomes any thoughts or contributions you might have about documenting the community response to HIV/AIDS. And you will see him around as he says he’ll continue volunteering at ACT-B events. National AIDS Awareness Campaign 1998-1999 Spring Youth Campaign 1999 Following up on The Faces of AIDS campaign, this year sees a secondary campaign focusing on youth and HIV. This complements the World AIDS Campaign theme this year Youth: A Force For Change. The campaign will target youth between the ages of 14 and 24 and will focus on those at higher risk for HIV infection: young women, young gay men and those using substances including injection drugs. While ACT-B has not seen HIV infections among Thunder Bay youth thus far, rates of sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancies show that unprotected sex is happening and poses a risk of potential HIV infections. A national social marketing campaign will be launched in May 1999, which will include a one hour broadcast special on MuchMusic/Musique Plus, an HIV youth only web site, and a fall campus poster advertising campaign. We will have available brochures, posters, rave cards and fact sheets for any school, agency or individual wishing to promote the campaign. If you would like further information, please contact David Belrose at 345-1516. Youth and HIV/AIDS (The following is excerpted from a Canadian AIDS Society fact sheet.) In Canada, youth are becoming infected with HIV. While no one is exempt from risk of infections, youth are at risk for HIV infection because of their increased vulnerability to several factors that increase one’s likelihood of contracting the virus. These factors include the following: (continued on page two) Under Our Cover ... Education Update For Your Information Fundraising News Newsletter Survey Insert Health Promotion Insert Poetry, etc. submitted by our readers Letters Here and There Parting Glance 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 �education Update (continued from page one) Economic Factors HIV is a class issue. Individuals living in poverty are at increased vulnerability for health problems. In one study, lower income HIV positive males were found to go on to have a 60 percent higher mortality rate than higher income HIV positive males. (Hogg et al., BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 1994). In Vancouver, BC, among YouthCO AIDS Society's Positive Youth Outreach Program’s HIV positive members, a full 86 percent report annual incomes below $10,000 (2nd Quarterly Statistical Report, 1997). bodies than their male counterparts, increases the risk for HIV infection among young women. Often, females or street involved youth who are in abusive or dysfunctional relationships do not have negotiating power in a relationship to be able to protect themselves. Unwanted sex from social pressure, coercion and violence make young women particularly vulnerable. When looking at the rate of other STDs (also a measure of unprotected sexual contact), girls aged 15-19 years have the highest rate of infection for gonorrhea and chlamydia among women. Untreated STDs greatly increases an individual’s risk of getting or passing on HIV to his or her partner. Youth are more reluctant to seek treatment for fear of being found out and the lack of access to youth-friendly health services contributes to the increase in STDs and HIV infection. Addictions Many youth experiment with drugs and many youth living with HIV are infected through the use of shared needles. Enrollment statistics in the Vancouver Injection Drug Use Study (VIDUS) show that the average age at which participants first use needles is 21 years. (Strathlee et al., BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 1996). Alcohol and other drugs, apart from the HIV risk connected with needle-sharing, can also affect sexual behaviour and increase young people’s vulnerability to HIV. Street Involvement Street involved youth are facing many difficulties which may put them in positions where they are at a higher risk of HIV transmission. They may be dealing with poverty, abuse, poor self-esteem, and they may be trading sex for shelter or food. Often, gay, lesbian and bisexual youth do not feel safe in shelters because of a perceived homophobic atmosphere. Often, street involved youth are also faced with the issue of injection drug use. Young people who use injection drugs are exposed to high HIV risks if they share needles. The lack of support for stopping substance abuse and counselling services for youth magnified their vulnerability to HIV infection. Sexuality Isolation and self-loathing characterize the teenage years and young adulthood of many gay, lesbian and bisexual youth (Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA). Safe Spaces: HIV prevention for gay, lesbian and bisexual youth. Ottawa: 1998.). According to the CPHA, the average gay or lesbian youth maintains total silence about their sexual orientation for a period of at least six years, all the while experiencing severe stress to that orientation. Consequently, as youth come to terms with their sexuality, HIV prevention becomes a secondary concern. Youth coming to terms with their sexuality face a number of environmental factors which contribute to their sense of isolation. Among these factors include: the lack of services which address youth specific needs; homophobia; lack of adult role models in the gay community; alienation from organized religions because of religious values taught about homosexuality; and the hostile environment of school. These factors augment the risk of HIV infection among youth. Psychiatric or Neurological Disorders Youth with impaired impulse control, insight or capacity to perceive risk by psychiatric diagnosis or neurological disorder are at an increased risk for contracting and transmitting HIV in institutional or community settings. The youth may also be poor, marginalized, lack basic sex education. Sexual abuse of children with disabilities occurs at a higher rate than children who do not have a disability. Youth who are dealing with a history of past or ongoing sexual abuse are at an increased risk for HIV transmission. Sexual Behaviour Studies have shown that 5o percent of Canadian 17 yearolds have had sexual intercourse. Of this 57 percent of 17 year-old boys and 45 percent of 17 year-old girls used a condom the last time they had sexual intercourse. Ninetynine percent of Canadian youth define themselves as heterosexual, this labeling leads to a belief that HIV is of no concern to them (College of Family Physicians of Canada, 1995). When looking at patterns of sexual behaviour common in youth two types are prevalent: serial monogamy, and casual sex. Youth who have experienced physical or sexual abuse at an early age tend to follow a pattern of casual sex. In terms of asserting personal boundaries, it is often hard to refuse unprotected sexual (continued on page three) Sexism and Young Women Young women are particularly at risk for HIV infection not only because of their disadvantages in society of being young, but also to their biological and social vulnerability. Compared with males, the female reproductive tract is more susceptible to infection with HIV and other STDs, a susceptibility that is particularly great in young girls. Gender inequalities are reflected in sexual relations between men and women in that men are more likely to initiate, dominate, and control sexual interactions and reproductive decision-making (Mann & Tarantola, 1997). According to UNAIDS, gender expectations which mean that young women have less control over their lives and 2- �For your Information Spring Youth Campaign 1999 (continued from page two) Intercourse when youth may fear rejection or loneliness. What Can We Do? Research into prevention education programs for youth about AIDS show that factors influencing the effective­ ness for peer education strategies include involvement of peer educators in program planning, provision of ade­ quate training, on-going support and community acceptance. (MacKay, 1997). In a recent study of target groups for prevention education, it was found that youth 15 to 19 years old should be the highest priority for HIV/AIDS prevention education followed by 10 to 14 year olds (Sahai & Demcyree, 1996). Therefore, programs that ad­ dress the above mentioned issues need to be developed. Youth need to be involved in the design and implemen­ tation of programs in order to ensure that these programs are successful. We need to ensure that programs de­ signed reflect the realities of the various target groups, including street-involved youth, young gay men, Aboriginal youth, young women, HIV positive youth and youth from ethnocultural communities. According to UNAIDS, youth are a force for change. Youth are resilient and open for change. By ensuring school-based prevention education programs are appropriate, peer oriented, and address issues affecting youth, youth can help create a social envi­ ronment in which they will have more control over their lives, and their risk to HIV/AIDS. For more information, call the AIDS Committee at 345-1516. AIDS Walk 99 will soon be here - mark the date, Sunday, September 26 in your cal­ endar now, you won't want to miss it!! Pledge forms will be available early in June. Get your registration in soon - use the convenient form below. 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. Name: Street Address: Apt.: City: Province: Home Phone: ( ) Work Phone: ( Employer/School/Organization: Age: □ under 18 □ 18-25 Sex: □M □ □ □ □ □ Postal Code: ) Fax: ( Team Name (if any): □ 26-35 □ 36-45 □ 46-55 □ 55+ □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 - ) �yard SaCo Jf you are hoCding a yard saCe this spring ir summer, wouCd you consider donating 10% * ( of your proceeds to the AJDS Committee? \four donation wouCd Oe dearCy appreciated. Vue to a Cac({ of storage space, the AJVS Committee is unaOCe to conduct its oven yard \ sado. CaCC us prior to your suCe and, with suffi­ o ft o ft o ft ft ft ft ATTENTION BINGO LOVERS!!! V-/ x y u w u u u U 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 say 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 Direc­ tors * Can elect the incoming Board members * Receive the agency newsletter ft When do I need to submit my application for membership? According to the ACT-B by-laws, your membership must be received at least 30 days prior to the Annual General Meeting (in late November) for you to be eligible for voting privileges. Therefore, the deadline for receipt of your membership application is Oc­ tober 20, 1999. 1 Do you have time on your hands, free evenings with nothing to do? Do you like being in a busy (hectic at > times) atmosphere, surrounded by crowds of people? 1 Have we got the place for you! Why not become an , ACT-B Bingo Volunteer? Give us a few hours now and l then, or sign-up to become a regular bingo worker and 1 work one or two bingos a month. Talk to our regular i bingo workers - they have a lot of fun and are a great 1 bunch of people to know. If you're interested in help­ ing us out, call Selly at 345-1516 and arrange to bei come a ‘Bingo Volunteer' today. Bingos are on the 2nd 1 and 4th Tuesdays of the month and run from about | 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Call today to sign up!!! How do I apply for membership? The last page of this newsletter has a cut-out mem­ bership form you can fill in and mail to the ACT-B office at Box 24025 RPO Downtown North, Thunder Bay, ON P7A 8A9 OOOOOOOCOOOOOOOG 4- - se o V vy se o ft w S e o v-/ j j e ft w < ft w g jc eJ o eJ o J o e J o e J o J c 3^)c J o eJ o J o eJ o fcjo fcjo g jo o V w F$o 3=Jo e J c e J o e J o e J o seJ o j£)o s jo w ftftftftftftftftftftftftftftftft s£). cient notice, we wiCC try to get volunteers to heCp you. CaCC Mb-lblb. s jo Welcome to spring and the promise of another season of warmth and beauty in Thunder Bay. This is one of the reasons we appreciate living here. I would like to acknowledge everyone who supported local people affected by HIV/AIDS and our efforts to provide supportive programs and to prevent further infections. It is through the generosity and concern of many hundreds of people who give their time or offer donations that these efforts benefit our community. As we look to the upcoming year, our major fund raising project will be the AIDS Walk on Sunday, September 26th, at the Outpost on the campus of Lakehead University. The focus this year will be to recruit teams from the community with particular focus on young people. I AIDS W*LK COMAP* I We are planning to have pledge forms available early in June so interested people can collect pledges through the summer months. AIDS Walk 99 will be fun, exciting and the most successful fundraiser we have ever had! We are facing many challenges in the next fundraising period. Just a few weeks ago, many of you may have enjoyed a performance of the LAST Cabaret. The Cabaret was a signature event for ACT-B and will be missed by many. Some ideas are percolating about a possible replacement for this popular event. We are in need of volunteers to participate on the Walk Committee, the Fundraising Committee and to help with other fundraising events. Please call John if you enjoy a challenge and are willing to make a commitment of your time. �A Public Cervix Announcement Positive Women and Cervical Disease Partial reprint from Treatment Resources, Toronto People With AIDS Foundation, August 1997 The problem that almost all women face, from time to time, is that some of the cells in the cervix grow abnormally (wrong). Now most of the time, these abnormal cells disappear on their own. After awhile, everything is back to normal. But sometimes they don’t. That is when trouble starts. When your cervix has many abnormal cells, it is called dysplasia. When dysplasia is discovered early and treated, it is not called cancer. The doctor treats the dysplasia, and you go back to normal. If the dysplasia is not discovered, it can turn into cervical cancer. This is bad, but still treatable. The real problem is when the cancer is not discovered. It keeps growing, then it begins to spread to other parts of the body. Don’t let it get that far! That is what pap smear tests are all about. All women should be getting pap smear tests at least once a year anyway. The doctor scrapes cells from the inside of your cervix and tests them. If the doctor finds a few abnormal cells, she/he will call you back for another pap test. As we said. Dysplasia cells are common. It’s not time to press the panic button. If there are a lot of abnormal cells, they will call you back for more tests within 6 weeks. Before the doctor does those tests, she/he has to try to clear up any other problems you may have in that area. If you have another vaginal infection, like yeast, thrush, trichomoniasis or herpes, the results of the pap smear test may not be clear. Your doctor should make sure there’s no confusion about this. You don’t want dysplasia to be wrongly called “just a yeast infection”. The doctor uses an instrument called a colposcope (which is a special microscope) to check out the area very carefully. The doctor may also do a biopsy (remove a tiny group of the cells). If the pap smear test and the biopsy agree that it is still dysplasia, the doctor will begin treatment for dysplasia. Cryotherapy (freezing) is the most common treatment. It is easy, and can usually be done in the doctor’s office. The “cryounit” is basically a tank of nitrogen gas connected to a probe (a metal stick). The gas is very cold. The cold probe is held against the abnormal areas until they freeze. The frozen cells die and go away. It takes about 2 to 3 weeks for the area to heal, so no hanky panky, no tampons, no anything in your vagina while it is healing. Another kind of treatment is electronic therapy, also called “LEEP” or “loop”. The doctor uses a thin wire loop and electricity to scrape out the affected area. With a bit of luck, they will get it all on the first try. Laser therapy uses the light to vaporize cells. When the laser is being used (like the loop) to get rid of some surface cells, only a “local anesthetic” is used (like at the dentist), or no anesthetic is used at all. Laser therapy is a very good treatment healing is usually faster than with freezing, and the chances of anything going wrong are few. The problem is that the therapy has to be done by an expert, not just your usual doctor. You may have noticed that so far we have been talking about ah women. But how about the woman who is HIV+? Is her situation different? Well, the tests and treatment are the same. What is different is that HIV+ women are more likely to develop dysplasia. And. if it is untreated, it will turn into cervical cancer faster than in HIV negative women - perhaps 4 times faster. Even more alarming is that a large percentage of women get cervical cancer as their first AIDS-related disease. This is because the whole process from (a) a few abnormal cells in the cervix, to (b) dysplasia, to (c) cervical cancer, can take 10 years. So a woman may already have dysplasia before she even tests positive for HIV. What does all this mean for you, an HIV+ woman? A) More HIV+ women get dysplasia in the first place because their immune systems are weak, and don't do a good job fighting the abnormal cells. B) Get a pap smear test immediately. C) Most cancer specialists who know about HIV say get a pap smear test every 6 months instead of the usual once a year especially if your CD4 count is below 500. There are no outside symptoms of dysplasia unless it turns into cervical cancer. Then there are symptoms. Symptoms of cervical cancer are: A) Bleeding from your vagina after intercourse. B) Bleeding from your vagina between periods or after menopause. C) Watery or bloody fluid from the vagina that may be thick or smelly. These symptoms can be caused by other problems, but they tell you to get to the doctor as soon as possible. What is the difference between dysplasia and cervical cancer? Cervical cancer is actually dysplasia, but the whole cervical area is affected. Also, the abnormal cells are not just on the surface, and perhaps they have spread to your uterus. After that stage, the abnormal cells can break off and go to other parts of your body. What is the treatment for cervical cancer? It is pretty much the same as for dysplasia - LEEP, freezing, or laser - only more so. If the cancer has really spread, the doctors may have to do a hysterectomy - they remove the entire affected area. Hysterectomies aren’t as common as they used to be. Doctors are better at catching the problem before that becomes necessary. Of course, all this depends on whether or not you are going in for your pap smear tests like you are supposed to. What causes dysplasia and cervical cancer in the first place? The cause if cervical cancer is closely related to HPV, the “human papilloma virus”. HPV is sexually transmitted. HIV might increase the chance of cancer from HPV. HPV is also related to dysplasia and cancer of the anus and rectum, so both men and women are at risk. Being HIV+ increases the danger of the dysplasia turning to cancer. What Should You Do? Pap smears front and back! Pelvic and/ or rectal exams! Reach for the phone now and call the doctor for an appointment, if you haven’t been taking care of business. Prepared by: Eli Graham, Tracy Ribble & Derek Thaczuk �Food for Thought - Canada’s Food Guide By Ingrid Buahene, Nutritionist The Food Guide is based on healthy eating which equals to good nutrition. For this, one needs a combination of the 4 food groups. The amount needed depends on age, body size, activity level, male or female. How many servings from each group does one need? The difference is age - younger children can choose a lower number of servings than older ones. If you follow the Food Guide, you will get between 1800 - 3200 calories per day. 1) Variety of foods. 2) Emphasize cereals, breads, other grain products, vegetables and fruit. 3) Choose lower fat dairy products, leaner meats and foods prepared with little or no fat. 4) Achieve and maintain a healthy body weight through regular physical activity. 5) Limit salt, alcohol and caffeine. The 4 Food Groups are: 1) Grain products: 5-12 servings per day, which can be bread, cold or hot cereal, bagel, pita or bun, rice or pasta. 2) Vegetables & Fruit: 5-10 servings per day, which can be a medium-sized fruit or vegetable. This can be fresh, frozen or canned. Juice - 1/2 cup qualifies as a fruit serving. 3) Milk: 2-4 servings, all types of cheese, yogurt. 4) Meat & Alternatives: 2-3 servings per day. such as meat, poultry, fish, canned fish, eggs, canned beans, tofu, peanut butter. Other foods not covered in the 4 groups include: fats & oils (butter, margarine, and lard): sugars such as jam, honey, syrup, candies; high fat snack foods (chips, pretzels); beverages, such as water, tea, coffee, alcohol, and soft drinks; herbs, spices, condiments (such as pickles, mustard, ketchup). These foods can be used in making meals or snacks and are often eaten with foods from the 4 groups. One item not to overlook is water. Choose water often and be sure to drink more in hot weather or when you are active. Where does the salt fit in? Most of it comes from the table salt. Most people get more than they need, so avoid highly salted snack foods. Check labels - choose foods that are unsalted and lower in salt. Use less salt when cooking, taste food before adding salt. Caffeine - use in moderation. It is found in drinks such as coffee, tea, colas and foods that contain cocoa. It is also found in drugs such as cold remedies and headache medicine. Try this recipe for a healthy snack: i3 S3 S3 Zucchini Muffins (makes 1 dozen) 1 cup grated unpeeled zucchini 1/3 cup sugar 2 eggs 1/2 cup oil 1 2/3 cups flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon vanilla s3 Method: Beat eggs, add oil, sugar and grated zucchini. Mix together and add the dry ingredients. Put into muffin tins. Bake at 350 F for 18-20 minutes or until brown. S3 l3 ^^ ^ ^ ^^ ^ ^^^ ^ ^ ^ ^^^^^^^^^ ^ ^^ ^^^^^ Next Newsletter: information about Fiber in our diet, and more recipes �Poetry, etc. submitted Gy our Readers Tears of Hope Seeing an AIDS victim is hard for us As we struggle to retain of them As they were when healthy and hopeful For they, than able to work To love completely and to give generously. Sometimes, being insensitive and forgetful Inconsiderate and selfish. We shun away from their Needs. Their bodies are less and less strong Their energy little and limited Now is the time to show love for them 0 overlook their moods To accept their fate It's love they want Patience, they deserve. To run that last lap With a smile on their face. Lighten up then And show that smile 1 mean, that magic smile The smile of the lips and the eyes Means everything and the whole world In the life and day Of an AIDS patient. Watching someone you love Waste away day after day By an enemy invisible Seems more than can be borne. Rationalizing and wishing is futile The problem0 continue, and each day Despair and frustration take hold The feeling of powerlessness The lack for the cure. Don’t we get bogged down Let’s take care of our own As we shed tears of hope We are the human race. A Acquired immune deficiency syndrome Aids threatening, deadly a catastrophe stands. Acquired via normal, natural, sometimes abused means Appalling and painful the toll it takes Abstain, abjure, take charge are its demands. AIDS has no cure Deep inside, the doubts echo It can’t be me Why me he asks? I awake with a sense of sadness. It is the sadness of loss. I feel life slipping away I’ve lost my best friends: They: I grew up with of the same breast suckled It is my brothers and sisters It is even worse. I’ve lost interst and enthusiasm: for life: Is now an endless nightmare. Tom Tom our of curiosity And concern for his ailing health He takes the AIDS test The results are positive The shock, overwhelming The dreams are broken s Since no cure is sure yet Stand firm for you have the power. Set up a decisive and aggressive battle. Sensational the victory will be See under this combat down will go the killer. I Intravenous needles by drug users Infected blood transfusions or contacts Irresponsible sex, promiscuity or prostitution Inevitable, intended or unfortunate Install a solid and firm path for the killer. We can’t lose this war Station II Tom Tom accepts counselling Tom Tom revisits his Doctor The Doctor reassures Him With proper medication Good dieting and counselling He has another shot to life To have the serenity to: Accept what he cannot change The courage to change what he can The wisdom to know the difference He has learned the “Serenity Prayer”. As I traverse this journey A journey wrecking my emotions Asking questions out of this world. As for prayer am pretty prayed out Am intrigued by a new feeling A voice whispers deep within me. And the echo resounds in my soul And bell clear its vibrations Assuring me to be still. Ah ha “affliction”....God’s shepherd Dog, To draw us in the fold. D We can’t lose this war Station I Tom Tom Tests positive for AIDS Months after months life changes Tom Tom faces the challenges To accept to be like a baby To be assisted on and off the bed. To be fed, washed and dressed This is a life he has to cope with One without prospects A life that’s falling apart The life of one dying from AIDS. Depressed, alone, frightened gets the infected Diseased, weak and weary suffers the patient. Despaired, emaciated, becomes the victim Destiny, face to face with the deceased to be Death, the label it brands the dying. We can’t lost this war Station IV Tom Toms Legacy Tom Tom had fine thoughts He had a legacy for all This is my desire To share the secret of life Life is one big exciting game With no rules, umpires, refs or judges But we are all participants You don’t have to win or lose Coz when it’s all over All you need is to rest in peace. Did you know this Hebrew text from the Talmud A dream unanalysed is nothing but. An unopened letter from a friend. Doing this thing of mine opening these letters. I direct my gaze not in the sky I do love the sky, and all the distant constellation Deeply, I appreciate the horizon, how well The sun descends to the other end of the earth. Disturbing though is this quest of mine I think I have a dream It’s a statement: the direction of life. The sky has no answers But beauty and splendour The answer is in your heart For the size of your heart Is the size of your world The answer is in your heart. The battle is long and tough We need to weave a path The path is made by those who walk it. Though affliction befall us Together as one, we’ll walk this path We shed tears of hope. We can’t lose this war. By Michael Nalumoso Cabulesite 1998 We can’t lost this war. Station III Tom Tom develops full blown AIDS -5 - To my deceased mom Edith Kiwanuka And all the beautiful people Who have taught me how to love �Letters Losing a friend - by Carol Nicholson, Volunteer Losing a friend is a very difficult thing, especially when that friend dies due to complica­ tions of a horrible disease they didn’t need to get in the first place. It’s been over two years now since the world lost Bob. Bob was a man with many pas­ sions and a desire to make sure the world ran properly. Bob arranged dinner parties, taught music, and never forgot the meaning ofjustice. Attending Bob’s funeral was an experience that is best described as humbling. I was slapped in the face with the reality of AIDS, and the reality of why I volunteer for an AIDS Service Organization. I felt as a volunteer I had to be there, I had to represent myself and my fellow volunteers to this grim reality, and to challenge the very reasons why this mission is important to me. Many wonderful, talented people are lost to AIDS, and the world is a poorer place for hav­ ing lost these individuals. Although talented people remain, it’s tragic that those taken from the world are far too young to die, as far as natural life spans go. They shouldn’t have to face a thing like AIDS in the prime of their lives. AIDS, and the complications of it are merciless. Anyone who knew Bob would say that he was a volcano awaiting eruption. He fought passionately against the injustices of the world, and never gave up. It’s funny, I can envision Bob in Heaven, writing letters to God, complaining about the fact he died, and how unfair AIDS is, and why isn 1 something being done to stop this disease? I remember visiting Bob when he was in the hospital}and meeting his mother. She greeted me and my friend with a big smile, and encouraged us to sign the ‘visitor's book' which was a spiral bound notebook. She looked tired and worried, as a mom would be, and I felt very close to her, as I am a mom myself. Her son could be my daughter and I thought it unfair that likely, this mom would outlive her child. It’s not supposed to work that way! She gently wiped Bob’s forehead and whispered in his ear that he had visitors. Bob con­ tinued to sleep and she went on to fuss with the blanket, making sure he was tucked in. It wasn’t long after that day that Bob was sent home, to die with dignity with the members of his careteam around him. Thankfully Bob didn’t have to suffer very long. Peace came quickly. I salute Bob and his 34 years of life. I’m glad I had the honour of knowing him. Bob’s moti­ vation was inspiring and I fuel my efforts as a volunteer based on his never ending energy. I hope that one day those of us involved in the world ofASO’s will eventually announce, WE WON! Volunteering for an organization that helps those who are infected live their lives with dig­ nity is a challenge sometimes. I admit I sometimes like to ’hide’as a volunteer and be anony­ mous and forget about the bad side of AIDS. I used to think I could save the world from infection through information and each book I processed would be the key to prevention for someone. Then I would see a client come into the office, looking pale, sad and frail. I’d remember that the most important thing isnl found only in a book, it’s supporting those who are struggling to find a comfortable path and live as best they can. I volunteer to help people live, be healthy and empowered with information. My biggest fear of volunteering is to witness someone close to me walk into the office needing help be­ cause they’re infected. As a mom I recognize that each client that walks into an AIDS agency is the son/daugh­ ter of a mom and dad. My heart goes out to the families who struggle with the pain an HIV positive diagnosis can mean for everyone close to that person. So Bob, I promise that in your memory, and the memory of all the other wonderful people who have been lost, I won’t give up and the work will continue. I’ll help work towards the ulti­ mate goal, to make AIDS and HIV no longer a threat. 6- - �Mete and Mere ... oooooooooooooooooo V V ATTENTION VOLUNTEERS O 5? Thank you to the many volunteers who helped o ‘w4 to make Tag Day 98 a great success. In particular l *5* o would like to thank Sherry Britton, for calling V o and arranging for the many locations. Thank ■w* o you also to Marge Cross and Liisa Clarke, our *w* o Santa’s helpers who contribute so much to our V o Christmas baskets program. V o On April 7, we held our annual Volunteer V V Appreciation at the Unitarian Hall. Special § mention and thanks went to our regular receptionists, bingo workers, and drivers. Two of o V our volunteers were honoured at the local “Salute V o to Volunteers” at Intercity Centre: Sherry Britton V and Marge Cross. The 1999 ACT-B Volunteer of o the Year is John Kirst. John is a regular o 5? o receptionist and bingo worker, he also helps out “Ufwherever he is needed and is on our Board of o 5? Directors. o V Thank you again to all the volunteers for all o ij4 o you have done for us over the past year! o OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO V <C4<w4<w4<w4‘C4<w4‘54‘w*‘w4<w'<w41?‘w4V4w4<w4V<w> § o V § § V o o V <§4 V V o V «v» § o o V o 5? o V o o o ‘w4 % o ‘w4 o 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 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 Jisponihie ALL CALLS CONFIDENTIAL Monday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time} Tuesday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m (Eastern Timet Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) o V The Network 1-800-263-1638 HIV/AIDS Treatment Information email: info@catie.ca catie internet: www.catie.ca Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange The 2nd Canadian HIV/AIDS Skills Building Symposium The 2nd Canadian HIV/AIDS Skills Building Sym­ posium: Getting Together, Sharing Together, Learning Together is happening on November 12 to 15, 1999 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Health care pro­ fessionals, 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) 230-3580, ext. 500. The New Van is Here (Finally) On February 11, 1999, we had the official dedication and unveiling of the agency's new van. After several years of fundraising, we now have a new vehicle, thanks to our many volun­ teers and funders. Pictured left to right are Rob Shepherd, Fundraising Committee; Deb Emery, Board Chair ACT-B; Boris Cham, Rotary Club - Fort William Branch; and Dr. Jim Colquhoun, Thun­ der Bay Foundation. 7- �RENAMING ACT-B’S HIV/AIDS RESOURCE LIBRARY Many of you will remember Gabe: his infectious sense of humour, his great big smile, his stones and jokes, and his great love for (of all things!) the game of golf. For those of you that didn’t know Gabe, he was the HTV/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 got his start in AIDS education here at ACT-B in 1991-92, and would make sure he dropped in at the office whenever he was in Thunder Bay. On some of his visits, he would bring his wife or children along. We will miss Gabe’s joyful presence. To honour Gabe’s memory and his work as an HIV/AIDS educator, we have renamed ACT-B’s library. It is now known as the Gabe Kakeeway Memorial HIV/ AIDS Resource Library. There is a great picture of Gabe’s smiling face (donated by his sister Cecile), displayed with a plaque and a Teaching Turtle: a tool designed by Gabe for use in HIV/AIDS education. So, if you are in the neighbourhood, come on in and check out the library! The AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay acknowledges and thanks our various funders: > Ontario Ministry of Health - AIDS Bureau "r Health Promotion and Programs Branch, Ontario Region, Health Canada (ACAP) 'r All of the people involved in general fundraising and the support of many local businesses and individuals. 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.tbavtel.net/actb ACT-B Advisory Council! Richard Atkinson Fred Ball Mary Lee Barry Ronald Joseph King 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’S 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 IDU Outreach Worker Secretary Education Coordinator Support Services Coordinator Fund Raising Coordinator Support Worker/Health Promoter Administration Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator Executive Director reACT-BetHevo Contributors Selly Pajamaki Editor ACT-B staff & volunteers Yes! / want to become a member of ACT-B! I know that my 1 contribution will really count! Here is my donation $10.00__ . $20.00__ . $50.00___. other__ Name:_______________________________________ . j ; Address:____________________________________________ j City, Province & P.C:_________________________________ | !! Telephone:__________________________________________ j j � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource David Belrose fonds Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource reACT-Believe Vol 12 Issue 1 - Spring 1999 Subject The topic of the resource Organizations Health and Medicine Description An account of the resource Newsletter of the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1999 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/files/original/17/2694/1999_reACT-Believe_vol12no2_2.pdf 1c84eadc21229ea2516df34707b0ed75 PDF Text Text reACT-Believe The AIDS (ommillce of Thunder lJ;i\ Summer 1999 Volume 12. Issue 2 ADDS WALK JS$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