OTTAWA, September 1, 2005 – The Canadian AIDS Society (CAS) is very pleased to announce that Rick Mercer, the creator and host of CBC’s Monday Report, has agreed to be the WALK FOR LIFE spokesperson and to launch the tenth edition of the Walk. “It is our hope that with Rick’s help, we can focus the public’s attention on the HIV/AIDS epidemic at home. The fact is that Canadian AIDS service organizations struggle daily to provide essential services and it’s not as though the epidemic is slowing down,” said Paul Lapierre, Executive Director of CAS.

"Every year about 4200 Canadians are infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, which means that about every two hours someone in Canada is infected. Whether we like it or not, HIV/AIDS could affect someone we care about - if not today, then maybe tomorrow. That’s why I'm supporting WALK FOR LIFE”, said Mr. Mercer.

Paula Greenwood, Community Resource Coordinator at the Peterborough AIDS Resource Network, is equally pleased with Mr. Mercer’s commitment saying, “Canadians don’t realize that HIV/AIDS is a disease people don’t talk about because they’ll lose their job, their friends or their home, but it’s occurring in increasingly diverse populations and in rural communities. This puts a strain on our resources - that’s why we need all the support we can get.”

Due to scarce resources, AIDS Service organizations (ASOs) from coast to coast to coast are often compelled to rely heavily on volunteers and community fundraising efforts to assist people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. As a 2004 Canadian AIDS Society survey of its member organizations states, “…increasingly ASOs are being asked to provide services around Hepatitis C, mental health, poverty and access to treatment because of cut backs in other sectors.” Other regularly offered services include prevention and education, youth outreach, counselling, and crisis intervention, among others.

During the week of September 18 to 25, 2005, Canadians are encouraged to lace up their runners and participate in the annual WALK FOR LIFE in their community. The Walk is the largest fundraising and awareness event for HIV/AIDS programs and services in Canada. This year, over 130 walks are taking place across the country. Organizers hope to raise over $2 million.

The WALK FOR LIFE launch takes place at Ottawa City Hall on Thursday,
September 8, 2005 at 11:00 a.m.

For more information, please contact:

Mark Creighan, Canadian AIDS Society
Tel.: (613) 230-3580 ext. 122 or Cell: (613) 724-9540

WALK FOR LIFE is a project of the Canadian AIDS Society in partnership with community-based AIDS organizations across Canada. Visit www.aidswalkcanada.ca for information on the walk nearest you.

The Canadian AIDS Society (CAS) is a coalition of 124 community-based AIDS organizations across Canada. The CAS mandate is to speak as a national voice and act as a forum for a community-based response to HIV infection, as well as to advocate for persons so affected.