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HIV Super Heroes Honoured at 7th Annual AccolAIDS Gala
Vancouver BC - It was a gathering of heroes at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on the evening of
Sunday, April 13th 2008. Nominees, community leaders and people living with HIV gathered to
celebrate the 7th Annual AccolAIDS Awards at the British Columbia Persons With AIDS Society
(BCPWA) fundraising gala.
This year's 31 nominees demonstrate that AIDS heroes truly come in all shapes and sizes.
Nominated heroes include a dog who has served on the Downtown Eastside for 12 years,
Vancouver's own street nurses and a grandmother who delivers flowers weekly to dozens of AIDS
patients. However a number of 'super heroes' stood out as winners in their categories, including a
woman who offers a mobile needle exchange out of her car, the innovative programs of the
Community Based Research Center, and a number of remarkable activists.
"The AccolAIDS Gala is an opportunity to celebrate the advances dedicated individuals and
organizations have made in the fight against AIDS," says Glyn Townson, Chair of the BC Persons
With AIDS Society. "AccolAIDS nominees are waging war on HIV/AIDS through innovative
programs, generosity and community spirit. The winners tonight are true HIV super heroes."
A record 250 people attended the gala, which is one of BCPWA's largest fundraising events. Over
$970,000 was raised to benefit the vital programs and services provided by BCPWA, such as
treatment information and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS. The evening included
gourmet cuisine, live entertainment and, silent and live auctions.
Approximately 15,000 British Columbians are living with HIV, and there are about 400 new
infections each year. At least a quarter of those infected are unaware of their status, creating an
urgent need for HIV awareness and programs. The BCPWA Society provides mutual support and
collective action for people living with HIV and AIDS.
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AccolAIDS 2008 Winners
Gary Dalton - Social/Political/Community Action
Gary began working for ANKORS East Kootenay in 1999 and celebrates every day. Last year, Gary spoke to over
2,600 people over a region covering 28,000 kilometers.ANKORS has given Gary the opportunity to participate in many
changes that come with addressing the issues HIV and AIDS in rural BC-from helping the Golden Women's Centre
expand ANKORS' efforts to raise awareness of Sexually Exploited Youth, to seeing Family Centres throughout the
region address needle disposal and sexual orientation issues. He has helped local Options clinics explore HIV testing
and East Kootenay Addiction Services extend their youth outreach program and pilot needle exchange. And Gary
collaborates with Healing Our Spirit, Pacific AIDS Network, BC Persons with AIDS, YouthCo, CATIE and others who
come to the region. Gary say "It is sadly recognized that many of our community are forced from our valley, into larger
centres. We strive to make the East Kootenays a safe place for all.
Doreen Littlejohn - Above and Beyond
Doreen Littlejohn, RN has been the Nurse Coordinator of the Positive Outlook Program at the Vancouver Native
Health Society since 1997, and has a private Nurse Counselling Practice with Chaldecott Medical Clinic.Doreen is
passionate about making a difference in the lives of those who have no voice. Her dream of nursing in developing
countries was unexpectedly realized in her own backyard. Vancouver, one of the richest cities in the world, is also home
to one of the most marginalized populations in Canada. People of the Downtown Eastside are very often homeless,
poor, infected with HIV/HEP C, drug addicted, mentally ill, and far too often die on the streets. Health authorities fund
direct services adequately but ignore those most in need; the urban aboriginal population which continues to seroconvert
to HIV at rates far greater than non-aboriginal people.
Doreen has been given the greatest honor from her staff, an Ojibway name "kanatamgate", meaning one who fights
for the rights of others.
Ken Coolen - Philanthropy
From a very early age, Ken Coolen's natural tendency for philanthropy was evident. At age 6, "Kenny" put on his
first fund-raiser for a local camp for underprivileged children.In school and university, Ken funraised and did outreach
work for Unicef, in senior's homes, and with Alateen.
Ken moved to Vancouver 20 years ago and in that time has been involved in many organizations - from the
Dogwood Monarchist Society, Vancouver Pride Society and of course BCPWA, to name a few. He credits his success
to being someone who can bring people together to accomplish a task. He is blessed with loving, supportive parents as
well as a collection of amazing individuals he is lucky to call friends. They say, "It takes a village to raise a child". Ken
is grateful to have his own "village" of talented and caring friends and family who are always there to help pick up the
caus
Michael Yoder - Kevin Brown PWA Hero Award
Michael Yoder started as a Helpline volunteer with AIDS Vancouver Island in 1986 and began a strange journey
where talking about sex, all the time, was normal (until he'd go out with friends and realize it was not). Michael worked
as the helpline coordinator, volunteer coordinator, a board member of the Victoria Persons With AIDS Society and as
the Education Coordinator for Victoria AIDS Resource & Community Service Society (VARCS). After his partner died,
Michael took on the role of Executive Director of VARCS. He sat on the Canadian AIDS Society board of directors for 6
years as the HIV+ rep for the Pacific Region.
Michael believes imagination is essential and that playing with what we do, no matter how serious it might seem, is
the only way we can move forward and flourish as people living with HIV, (or as people, period).
Samantha Mohan - Health Promotion and Harm Reduction
Samantha Mohan has worked tirelessly for the past 15 years in Chilliwack and the Eastern Fraser Valley to stop the
spread of HIV/AIDS, helping some of society's most neglected members, particularly injection drug users and survival
sex trade workers. Since 1993, Samantha has operated the only openly-advertised community-based needle exchange
program between Surrey and Kamloops. Because of the nature of the locations in which she works, she has faced
vehement opposition and open harassment by the community at large. In spite of the significant resistance she has
faced, her caring heart and optimistic personality has helped her build a strong network of support for harm reduction
services in the Fraser Valley region and beyond. Those who come into contact with her find Samantha's compassion
unwavering, her integrity unfailing, and her sense of humanity, profoundly touching
Community Based Research Centre Society - Science/Research/Technology
The Community Based Research Centre is a non-profit charitable organization using research to guide community
action on HIV prevention, treatment and care. The CBRC provides grounded leadership around gay men's health
issues in a number of ways. They author and creatively research the sexual health risks and needs of gay men and
men who have sex with men, in their annual Sex Now survey. Totally Outright is their annual sexual health leadership
course for young gay men. And the Summit, BC's annual gay men's health conference, brings together individuals and
organizations working in the field of gay men's sexual health and wellness. The Community Based Research Centre
provides evidence-based preventive health information in the community, and is a lifeline to many in a context where
HIV prevention is critically under-resourced
First Story on CTV - Media Award
Now in its tenth year of production, First Story is a half-hour current events and information series that discusses
BC First Nations arts, culture and social justice issues. All producers that work directly on the show are of First Nations
heritage. The series often features HIV/AIDS related content, covering everything from safe injection sites to personal
stories of First Nations people living with HIV. First Story is dedicated to campaigning for the rights of HIV positive
persons and has provided a tremendous opportunity for creating continued awareness about HIV/AIDS in First Nations
communities.
The John Ruedy Immunodeficiency Clinic - Providence Health Care - Innovative Programs and Services (tie)
The John Ruedy Immunodeficiency Clinic (IDC) at St Paul's Hospital opened in the late 1980's, following the onset
of the AIDS epidemic. Dr. John Ruedy was instrumental in leading this initiative, and visits to the clinic have grown from
4,000 in 2002 to 12,000 in 2007. Improving access to HIV primary and specialized care, and to enhance competence in
HIV care among health care providers in the community are the two main goals of the IDC. Services are
comprehensive, interdisciplinary, flexible, and patient-centred.
The Immunodeficiency Clinic (IDC) provides health services that respond to a rapidly growing and diverse
population, including the needs of people with multi-drug resistance, intolerance to antiretrovirals, or with multiple
diagnoses such as hepatitis, mental health or addictions. Many IDC patients previously lacked access to HIV care.
The MAKA Project - Innovative Programs and Services (tie)
The Maka Project is a community-based HIV partnership between the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and
Women's Information Safe Haven (WISH) Drop-In Centre Society. Through participatory research, the project examines
the HIV prevention and treatment needs of women who struggle daily with poverty and addictions and engage in sex
work to meet basic needs (ie: survival sex work). Maka began in 2005 as a response to concerns by sex workers,
services providers and researchers of the significant health-related harms and under-representation of women
accessing health and HIV services. Maka's researchers are current/former survival sex workers, and their research
work informs the need for evidence-based policy and interventions that promote the health and safety of street-based
sex workers. Maka is also piloting and evaluating peer driven intervention strategies to increase access to HIV care and
treatment for women on or eligible for antiretroviral therapy. Weekly peer support workshops, peer-to-peer advocacy,
and peer outreach have helped to provide a safe space for HIV+ women to seek treatment and care resources.
ACCOLAIDS 2008 Nominees By Category
Science/Research/Technology
Dr Brian Conway
Community Based Research Centre
Friends for Life Society - Living Well Lab
Kevin Brown PWA Hero Award
Mr Bradford McIntyre
Mr Elrick Lu
Mr Michael Yoder
Mr Wayne Moore
Philanthropy
Ms Carey Bridgman
Mr Ken Coolen
University of British Columbia World AIDS Day Campaign
Innovative Programs and Services
BC Centre for Excellence - Drug
Treatment Program Staff
Community Based Research Centre
Friends for Life Society - Living Well Lab
Immunodeficiency Clinic at St Paul's Hospital
MAKA Project
Red Road HIV AIDS Network Society
Social/Political/Community Action
Mr Bradford McIntyre
Ms Carey Bridgman
Mr Gary Dalton
Mr Ken Coolen
Lesbian and Gay Standing Committee With the HEU
MAKA Project
PHS Community Services Society
St Paul's HIV Support Group
University of British Columbia World AIDS Day Campaign
Mr Wayne Moore
Media Award
BC Association of Broadcasters
Cossette Communication Group
First Story - CTV
Mr Pierre Martineau
Red Road HIV AIDS Network Society
Dr Thomas Kerr
Health Promotion and Harm Reduction
BC Centre for Disease Control - Street Nurse Program
"Blue" Community Based Research Centre
Mr Donald Allen
Ms Doreen Littlejohn
Mr Elrick Lu
Mr Gary Dalton
Ms Nicole Giesbrecht
Red Road HIV AIDS Network Society
Ms Samantha Mohan
Ms Sandy McLean
University of British Columbia World AIDS Day Campaign
Mr Wayne Moore
Other
"Blue"
Mr Bradford McIntyre
Ms Celene Hurley and Ms Margaret Dennys
Lesbian and Gay Standing Committee With the HEU
MAKA Project
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The British Columbia Persons With AIDS Society (now Positive Living BC), a non-profit, consumer-driven
organization is in its 21st year of operation, is dedicated to empowering persons living with HIV disease and
AIDS through mutual support and collective action. As western Canada's largest AIDS organization, with a
membership of more than 4,400 HIV+ individuals, the Society provides support and advocacy services,
treatment information, and volunteer opportunities to its diverse membership.
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