Volume 54 Number 49
Friday, December 5, 2014
Thompson, Manitoba
Providing you with expert advice, friendly service, and quality workmanship since 1983. We look forward to serving you. 91-A Kelsey Bay Thompson, MB R8N 1S3 Ph: 204-778-7048 Fax: 204-778-7124
Serving the Norman Region since 1961
March marks World AIDS Day
Photo courtesy of Adele Sweeny Thompson youth walked from the Thompson Regional Community Centre to the YWCA in recognition of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1 BY MOLLY GIBSON KIRBY MOLLY@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET
The Safer Choices Northern Network (SCNN) and the Northern Regional Health Authority hosted a walk from the Thompson Regional Community Centre (TRCC) to the YWCA to mark World AIDS Day Dec. 1. Adele Sweeny, a registered nurse with the Keewatin Tribal Council (KTC) and a committee member for SCNN says it’s important to get youth involved in the dis-
cussion. “It’s important to get our youth to talk about it because there is such a stigma. We need our younger generation to become more aware and kids listen to kids. The stats are showing high numbers within our youth for sexually transmitted diseases.” Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) was first detected in Canada more than 30 years ago, and since then thousands of Canadians continue to become infected with the human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) every year, says Statistics Canada. While there is no cure for HIV and AIDS, the disease is preventable. This walk had the biggest turnout – about 75 walkers –since the first one in 2008, says Ingrid Gosselin, an SCNN member. “Thank you to the Burntwood School, because this is the first time we’ve ever had junior high students take part. It’s always a very cold day, so it’s great to see such a turnout.”
Other participants included the Youth Build Program from the Boys & Girls Club, and the Norman Wild midget AAA female hockey team. Before the walk, participants had the chance to read posters and fact sheets about the disease and how it can be prevented. Gosselin says statistics show aboriginal youth have a higher infection rate. “Numbers are higher with aboriginal youth, but all youths are affected. Statistically it’s ages 15 to 29 that
the numbers are increasingly high. A lack of education, coming from outlying communities, stigma, discrimination and the lack of access to proper healthcare and resources affects these numbers.” The Public Health Agency of Canada says youth affected by the disease accounts for 26.5 per cent of all positive HIV test reports. It’s important to get tested, says Sweeny. “Let’s erase the stigma and get tested. You can go to the clinic or con-
tact public health at the Northern Regional Health Authority.” HIV and AIDS are transmitted from body to body through blood, spinal fluid, semen, pre-semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk. To prevent the spread of the diseases, talk to your partner about sexually transmitted infections, and always use protection. Never share needles, and if getting a tattoo or piercing ensure professionals carry out these activities.