(image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

WORLD AIDS DAY

ASK Wellness raises awareness on World AIDS Day

Dec 1, 2022 | 4:42 PM

KAMLOOPS — The ASK Wellness Society went back to its roots Thursday for World AIDS Day. ASK planned two events to highlight the day and raise awareness including a celebration scheduled for this evening (Dec. 1) at 6:30 at the United Church in Kamloops.

Cookie Reimer has been volunteering with ASK Wellness for more than three decades and organized Thursday’s event. Despite HIV and AIDS no longer being the death sentence it once was thanks to modern medicine, she believes the message of awareness is still vital to share.

“There is no cure. We have to make sure people don’t become complacent just because there are pills you can take. I have friends who went from having to take handfuls of pills a day to only having to take one in the morning and one at night. And I’m so grateful for their lives. But, in my 33 years with ASK I have lost 113 friends and acquaintances,” said Reimer.

The ongoing stigma around the disease continues to challenge Dale Northcott who has been HIV positive for 17 years. After that time, Northcott says his diagnosis hasn’t changed who he his or what he’s been able to accomplish in his life.

1000 Ways to Heal

1000 Ways to Heal: Moons

Dec 10, 2024

Question of the Week

Should Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson apologize or resign after it was found he breached a section of council's code of conduct for allowing false or misleading information to be communicated?

Dec 09, 2024

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Donald has it wrong - again

Dec 08, 2024

“I was ready to give up, now I’m glad I didn’t, I own my own home, I have a business in this community I have run for 10 years. I’m proud to say that I am HIV-positive,” said Northcott. “If somebody wants to say something against it, you know what I’m going to say — go **** yourself. That’s me and I’m never going to change because it hasn’t changed me, I’m still the same person I always have been and always will be.”