October 26, 2012
Justin Mendonca | CANFAR Supporter
CANFAR's 25th Anniversary is bittersweet. Though I'm happy to celebrate and recognize how much it has been done over the past 25 years to fund research and build awareness, I hope we accomplish our goal of ending AIDS globally before CANFAR reaches another milestone anniversary.
Joanne MacDonald | General Manager, CP24 and Vice-President, CTV News
Over the past 25 years CANFAR has led the way in funding HIV and AIDS research across the country. CANFAR’s impact and research breakthroughs have not only served to benefit the millions of Canadians who have been touched by this disease, but their work has made a mark globally. CP24 is proud to support CANFAR in its continued efforts to find a cure and end the battle against AIDS.
Dr. Stanley Read | Chair, CANFAR Scientific Advisory Committee | The Hospital for Sick Children
Having been with CANFAR since almost the beginning, it is exciting to reflect on the progress and development, both in terms of CANFAR as an organization, and the research CANFAR has supported. It’s important to realize that CANFAR is more than a funding source for research, but it plays a major educational role as well. We can all look forward to many exciting developments in the years to come, always working toward prevention and cure.
Edward Hanecak | YPC Events Co-Chair | Sales Consultant, Rogers Business Solutions
CANFAR’s 25th anniversary is an incredible milestone demonstrating how a group of committed individuals can make a difference by raising awareness and initiating change. Looking back on the past 25 years, we’ve come a long way, not only on a research front, but with the public’s attitude towards HIV and AIDS. Hopefully we won’t need to have any more anniversaries, but it’s a great feeling to know that we have the support of so many committed members for years to come if needed.
Amanda Armstrong | CANFAR supporter
25 years of commitment from donors, volunteers, staff, board members, scientists, and all other supporters dedicated to ending AIDS. Together we have accomplished a tremendous amount of awareness and funds for research that has benefited the lives of millions around the world. After 25 years, we are not only celebrating our past accomplishments and how far we have come, but also the future successes that we will have. For the future children around the world and those currently living with HIV, we will continue to work together to END AIDS!
Tyler Buist | CANFAR supporter
25 years of CANFAR means 25 years of progress in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Over the years CANFAR has funded life-changing research and I'm glad to have worked with such an incredible organization.
Amy C. Willis |YPC HIV & AIDS Knowledge Management Coordinator |Manager, HIV Prevention Lab, Ryerson University
CANFAR's work over the last 25 years is a reflection of many things, chief among them a commitment to excellence and innovation in funding and supporting essential research. CANFAR's unwavering dedication to their work engages, inspires and ignites our communities into action in a collective response to HIV and AIDS.
Paul Oakley and Scott Koch | spinradius
Focus on the Positive. A theme befitting BSE 2012 which focuses on the dedication to AIDS research and the positive strides which have resulted, due in large part to CANFAR’s tireless efforts. We at spinradius are proud to partner with CANFAR on this event, and laud CANFAR’s ongoing dedication for the past 25 years to this incredible cause, towards finding a cure and ending AIDS.
Sue-Anne Fox| AIDSbeat Co-Chair| Legal Counsel, Purolator Inc.
I am honoured to be part of an organization that has enabled Canada to be part of the global solution to the HIV epidemic by funding important breakthroughs and helping put Canadian researchers on the map internationally.
Maggie Atkinson, O.Ont. | AIDS Advocate
Research is the way to end AIDS: research for treatment, prevention, a vaccine, and a cure. It is not always in the best interests of pharmaceutical companies to fund such research and that is why CANFAR is invaluable.
Christopher Bunting | President and CEO, CANFAR
CANFAR’s 25th anniversary makes me think of how much has been accomplished since CANFAR was founded in 1987. There is a great deal of which to be proud. The Anniversary also serves to re-energize our mission because while people are living longer and better, we still need to care for them while we close the final gap and find that vaccine and ultimately a cure. Finally, CANFAR’s anniversary causes me to remember friends – some of whom were CANFAR friends – who we have lost to this disease.
Devon Hamilton | National Program Coordinator, CANFAR
I am so proud to be part of an organization that has made many notable advances in HIV and AIDS research within the past 25 years. I hope that this milestone helps people to recommit themselves to awareness, outreach, and education, and to realize that HIV remains a significant issue both in Canada and around the world.
Christina Perreault | YPC Sponsorship Co-Chair | Issues Manager, Ontario Medical Association
Having co-founded and as the first President of the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research at McGill (CANFAR @ McGill) – the first University club in Canada - I have witnessed the contributions over the last decade CANFAR has made to research in the pursuit to ends AIDS. Being a part of that contribution in my small way has been an honour and continues to inspire me now in my role as Co-Chair of Sponsorship for CANFAR’s YPC. I am often overwhelmed by the achievements CANFAR continues to make and I hope to remain committed to this charity until there is no more need for CANFAR to exist.
Ronald Barry | Business Analyst, AMEC Natural Resources
When I was diagnosed with HIV, it felt like my world had ended. Then I came to understand my own ignorance of the disease, and found hope in the discoveries research had yielded. Treatment for me, unlike my forefathers, would lead to a managed life-long chronic disease. I owe a lot to the heroes, like CANFAR's founders, that helped get us here. I know we've won a lot of battles but we've not yet won the war. I also know that it's organisations like CANFAR that will help us to win this war and cure HIV.
Gail McInnes | Director, Magnet Creative Management
The 25th year anniversary of CANFAR, to me, is not a celebration, but a reminder that more needs to be done to support our researchers in their on-going journey in developing a widely available and affordable cure and vaccine for HIV and AIDS - one which I hope everyone around the world will have access to. I have faith that within the next 25 years, HIV will be completely curable and on it's way to be categorized along with measles and mumps.
Alison Lawler-Dean | YPC Membership Engagement Co-Chair | Sr. PR Manager | Joe Fresh
To me CANFAR is about hope. The brightest minds coming together to search for a cure to help people here in Canada and all around the world.
Tina Clare | Artistic Director, AIDSbeat | C.J.CLARE Artworks
I first became aware of CANFAR in 1995 when Patricia Olasker, founder of AIDSbeat, approached me to design an invitation for an evening of rock and roll music played by lawyer musicians. That was the beginning of AIDSbeat a battle of the bands event that benefits CANFAR. I have now had the honour of working with the fabulous people at CANFAR for the past 3 years on the AIDSbeat committee. CANFAR is a terrific organization dedicated to finding a cure for AIDS. They have many wonderful programs, clubs, events and opportunities to help raise funds and awareness for this worthy cause and I'm very proud to be associated with CANFAR.
Danielle Lalonde | CANFAR supporter
CANFAR's success for the past 25 years tells a brilliant story about the compassion of Canadians. United, we have worked together to eradicate this disease. This dedication proves to me that Canadians will support CANFAR until a cure is found. I know I will.
Jennifer D’Andrea | National Programs Manager, CANFAR
CANFAR was established 25 years ago, in 1987... the year I was born. I can't believe that it has been 25 years, and that I, like many others, have never known a world without AIDS. I hope that we will end AIDS in my lifetime, and that one day we will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of CANFAR helping to END AIDS.
Armando Mendonca | Sales & Marketing Director, Diversity Division, VoX International
In 1987, I was 24 years of age, in love and ignorant to the plight of AIDS and subsequently fell to my knees every time I lost a friend to AIDS. It’s with a heavy heart that I remember those that I have lost those early years and thank God for CANFAR! Happy 25th Anniversary!
Newell Cotton | Dexter Associates Realty
Congratulations CANFAR, on 25 dedicated and incredibly productive years! You are a beacon of hope for people affected by AIDS and those who surround them. With big hearts and driven attitudes, the next 25 years are sure to be inspirational and I eagerly anticipate seeing what can and will be accomplished. Great work!
Paul Pighin | CANFAR Supporter
With an HIV Positive diagnosis in 1994 the outlook for my future was bleak. Life expectancy was eight to ten years but thanks to CANFAR’s consistent contribution to AIDS research, new medications have come to fruition changing the outlook for myself and others infected with this virus. We now can plan for our future knowing that new medications are possible and cure can be found.
Jenna Kellner | Lead, Marketing and Client Accounts, Myplanet Digital
CANFAR's 25th means that Canadian researchers have been making a difference in the lives of those living with HIV and AIDS for 25 years. It means that because of CANFAR, people live longer, better lives. It also means that we have been without a cure for too long, and it means that CANFAR along with our community, must do everything to not let another 25 years pass without finding a cure.
Janice O’Born | Chair, TPH Charitable Office
I have been involved with Bloor Street Entertains for approximately 16 years including chairing 4 Bloor Street Entertains Galas. I have seen the increase in the funds and the level of awareness raised for CANFAR, Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research, the beneficiary of the Galas. It is very rewarding to work on events that create interest and support from all walks of life.
Catherine Fowler | President, Elements Events
Coming into adulthood in the late 80’s meant that HIV and AIDS were foremost in my mind, and organizations like CANFAR were at the forefront of the battle to defeat this epidemic. The 25th anniversary of CANFAR reminds me that we are still fighting the good fight, that there have been some successes, but it really means that I need to support CANFAR more in order for the long battle to be finally won.
Christopher Blomkwist | Principal, Social Marketing Consultant, BeSocial Consulting
CANFAR’s 25th anniversary signifies the value of Canadian funded HIV and AIDS research, and represents the large contribution of Canadian scientists towards the HIV and AIDS cause. These past 25 years have see major advancements including research that directly lead to the development of Anti-Retorival Drugs in the mid-late 90s, demonstrating visible results from Canadian participation in fighting HIV and AIDS. Most importantly, this anniversary demonstrates the generosity, desire and the never-ending motivation of Canadians to see an end to this global pandemic. What does the past 25 years mean to me? It means hope. A hope not based on faith, but a hope built on proof that if we continue to strive towards a cure, we will soon reap the benefit of our work and see an end to HIV and AIDS.
Dr. Mark Wainberg, OC, OQ, FRSC | Director, McGill University AIDS Centre, Montreal Jewish General Hospital
CANFAR has been an integral component of all of the advances that have been accomplished in the field of HIV and AIDS over the past 25 years. Despite this progress, however, there is still much that remains to be accomplished. The need for CANFAR is still as great as ever and Canadians should be as generous as they can be in support of efforts that will bring an end to the HIV epidemic.
Gordon Capern | Partner, Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP
CANFAR’s 25th anniversary is bittersweet. The +ve: so much has been accomplished in making HIV a manageable illness in developed parts of the world. The –ve: we all hoped that we would never need to have a 25th anniversary, but here we are, with much more to accomplish. So let’s dig in and do the very best we can to avoid needing to have a 50th anniversary.
Denise Becker | Professional Speaker | Recipient Queen's Gold and Diamond Jubilee Medals
CANFAR's health promotion and fundraising for AIDS Research has allowed HIV-positive people like me, to live healthy and productive lives. Thank you, CANFAR!
Sara Afshar | Student, Seneca
To me it means 25 years of dedication and a closer step to finding a cure for AIDS and HIV!
Bob Leahy | Editor, PositiveLite.com, Canada's Online HIV Magazine
As a person living with HIV, I love the work CANFAR does. For example the unique research they commissioned in to Canadian public attitudes towards HIV and AIDS really did help move the dialogue forward and helped to frame future policy development and programming. I've quoted it all the time too. So I'm a big fan.
Linda Elliott | CANFAR Supporter
CANFAR is turning 25! Who could have guessed that the foresight of 3 friends so long ago would result in such a far reaching organization, one that bridges age and politics, all for the common good of AIDS research. In a world where too many people are reluctant to step forward it is an inspiration to see the passion and dedication that CANFAR represents.
Anthony C. Tiburzi | CANFAR Supporter
CANFAR's 25th anniversary is a celebration of determination, persistence, and the steadfast commitment to a cause that impacts so many of us. I see CANFAR as a true leader in the fight against HIV and AIDS – one that continues to inspire me as an advocate.
Andrew Pringle | Chair, CANFAR
When a small group of friends started CANFAR, in response to friends getting ill and dying, there was a lot of confusion. Now, 25 years later, this is a battle we are winning, but a battle that’s not over. We’ve lots many great friends along the way. Let’s not lose any more.
Debbie Osske | Events Manager
For me this quote sums up CANFAR and the 25th anniversary: “I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough, we must do.” - Leonardo da da Vinci (1452-1519)
Dr. Norbert Gilmore | Associate Director, McGill AIDS Centre | Associate Director, McGill Centre for Medicine, Ethics and Law
CANFAR began as a way for Canadians to help control HIV infection and advance the knowledge about HIV and AIDS. CANFAR also had another purpose: to attack the fear, aversion, discrimination and stigmatization that HIV all too often triggers. They have been a beacon of honest responsiveness to a terribly burdening illness. They stood-up for the vulnerable and ill and those at risk of infection, raising money to fight HIV and to help find a cure for this disease. Bravo CANFAR, you are continuing a great, great tradition of generosity, solidarity, help, and selfless respect for everyone who needs you. And, never relent from your primary goal of promoting and funding research that one day may make HIV yesterday's problem that you helped to solve.
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