FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 30, 2010
Scarborough, ON – Sir John A. MacDonald Collegiate Institute’s 1,300 students have been enduring pin pricks and calloused fingers this week as they pin thousands of red ribbons that will be distributed this World AIDS Day. Volunteer Toronto has organized the pinning of 80,000 ribbons over five days at the school.
The ribbons will become a part of the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research’s Red Ribbon Campaign for this year’s World AIDS Day. Ribbon ambassadors will distribute more than one million physical and virtual red ribbons nationwide on December 1, 2010. Funds raised will support groundbreaking Canadian HIV/AIDS research.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have such dedicated student volunteers,” said Jenna Kellner, CANFAR’s National Programs Manager. “They are the key to spreading awareness about AIDS among youth, which is critical to ending this disease. World AIDS Day and the Red Ribbon Campaign encourage Canadians to support those affected by HIV and AIDS, while promoting greater awareness and supporting Canadian HIV/AIDS research.”
In Canada, more than half of grade nine students wrongly believe there is a cure for AIDS. As a part of the Red Ribbon Campaign, high school and university students across the country will be handing out ribbons to their friends and classmates on World AIDS Day, while also educating them about HIV/AIDS.
High school, college, and university students across Canada actively participate in many CANFAR campaigns. Students are able to gain volunteer hours, while becoming active members of society and spreading awareness of HIV/AIDS. To learn more about how your school can participate, visit www.CANFAR.com.
ABOUT THE RED RIBBON CAMPAIGN: The Red Ribbon is the international symbol of HIV/AIDS awareness and is a message of support for people affected by HIV/AIDS. The Red Ribbon Campaign will distribute one million ribbons across Canada through volunteer ribbon teams, virtual ribbons via mobile giving, social media initiatives, and engaging corporate sponsors with community involvement opportunities. The Red Ribbon campaign helps to build awareness of continuing HIV/AIDS issues, and raise funds for research towards a cure.
ABOUT CANFAR: Founded in 1987, the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research raises funds for research into all aspects of HIV and AIDS. The only organization in Canada that operates for the sole purpose of privately funding HIV/AIDS research, CANFAR finances AIDS researchers across Canada. To date, CANFAR has provided approximately $17 million to HIV/AIDS research projects. Visit www.CANFAR.com for more information.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:Andrew DelawareCanadian Foundation for AIDS Research T: 416‐361‐6281, ext. 35
