“AIDS is a lifestyle choice”

On Saturday, July 24th, many restaurants in the Jasper community participated in HIV West Yellowhead’s annual Servers Against AIDS Day (SAAD) campaign. On this day, the servers of the participating restaurants donate a portion of their tips to HIV West Yellowhead and the Stephen Lewis foundation, a non profit organization which works with community-based organizations in Africa to sustain people living with HIV/AIDS, assist AIDS-affected orphans and as well support their heroic grandmothers caring for them. Prior to the event, a letter was delivered to each restaurant business owner/manager explaining the event, and asking for their support. On almost all occasions, the letter was received very well. A week later however, we received one of our letters back with a message written across it.

“AIDS is a lifestyle choice. Make a better choice. Prevention is the key.”

Now, because this letter was sent anonymously, I had no means to respond to the writer in person. I do not think this letter was sent back with cruel intentions but rather a sign that not everyone in our community is aware of the mission and goals that drives the work of HIV West Yellowhead.

HIV West Yellowhead is committed to creating supportive environments for those at risk, those infected and those affected by HIV/AIDS, STIs and Hep C in the West Yellowhead region. Our main focus is on awareness, advocacy, prevention and education. We are an organization that follows the harm reduction philosophy and we aim to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, STIs and Hep C through the promotion of safer sex tools and testing. HIV/AIDS can affect anyone no matter age, gender, sexual orientation, race or ethnic origin. It can be transmitted through unprotected oral, vaginal and anal sex, sharing needles, unsanitary tattooing or piercing, during pregnancy and breastfeeding from mother to baby or through a blood transfusion. HIV WY practices harm reduction philosophy by handing out free condoms, promoting free and confidential STI testing, providing presentations to students, young adults and other professionals working in our communities. At HIV West Yellowhead our work is dedicated to prevention. We do not judge people or tell them how to live their life, rather just to be safe while doing it. 

HIV WY would like to thank the community of Jasper for supporting our work throughout the years. We would also like to send a big thank you to all the servers and individuals who supported SAAD. This Saturday we raised a grand total of $5,000.00.  

In conclusion, AIDS is NOT a lifestyle choice. HIV/AIDS is a disease that slowly destroys the immune system leaving the body defenceless against infections such as other diseases or cancers until you succumb to it. No one chooses to have AIDS, just like no one chooses to have cancer. It is in our nature to be sexual human beings and life is sexually transmitted, therefore we are all at risk for HIV in some capacity. You can choose however to ignore the facts, and the world around you. What we need to do is choose to listen and educate ourselves about the risks and how to protect ourselves. AIDS is not a lifestyle choice; it is a disease. A disease which has cut short approximately 25 million lives so far, created over 14 million AIDS orphans, and has shattered countless families. Every two hours In Canada, someone becomes infected with HIV. AIDS is an epidemic effecting humanity across the globe, in every country, including our own. That is what AIDS is.

Bridget Ellacott
Summer Programmer
HIV West Yellowhead

Wow, Jasper athletes

On Sunday, I was trotting along the Skyline Trail, on route to the Snowbowl campground, swatting flies, reflecting, processing and contemplating the accomplishments and successes of our Jasper athletes.

As a competitive mountain bike racer for the last six years, I hear the buzz around the start and finish lines; Jasper athletes are a force to be reckoned with. We are a fierce, friendly, competitive and gracious bunch of men and women of all shapes, sizes and ages quietly assaulting and burning up the roads, trails and mountain peaks.

All athletes need support of friends and family but we are also fortunate to live in a beautiful park that out our backdoor is a myriad of amazing trails, challenging terrain with motivating vistas and multitudes of training opportunities.

To all the athletes and their support crews who were involved in the 24 Hours of Adrenalin and the Death Race – Well done.

Loni Klettl,
Jasper, AB