Volume 24 Issue 3

ATB Launches New Hep C Project

Fall 2011

AIDS Thunder Bay was successful in having an application for a new Hepatitis C project approved late last summer. Over the next year and a half, the “Blood 2 Blood” Project will create new resources and information tools to educate people about Hep C.

Inside this issue: Fundraising News

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Fundraising continued

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Education Update

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Support Services Update

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News from the Volunteer Department

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Here and There...

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Parting glance

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REMEMBER—if you have a new or worsened cough, please get a mask from reception when you come into our agency. We do not want to help the spread of colds or the flu. We also have hand sanitizer available at reception. Let’s work together to protect each other.

The resources will provide information to help demystify and provide accurate information about the virus, how it is transmitted, how to prevent transmission and what treatments are available. Building on information learned from our Hepatitis C Outreach Project (HEPCOP), the project will develop a number of materials, including information brochures, cards, matchbooks and a comic strip. The project will also create a series of theatrical presentations that will be toured in various locales, venues and schools. The plays will also be turned into video productions to place on our agency website and social media sites such as YouTube and Facebook. All of the new resources created will be available for distribution to individuals, groups, organizations and agencies seeking to have accurate information on Hep C available. The materials created will also be designed so they can be easily adapted for other communities that may want to put out local information on it. The project will have a strong community and internet -based promotion element showcasing all of the resources developed. Lawrence Korhonen Executive Director

FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES Our annual AIDS Walk was another great success. The total raised, including all sponsors, teams and individual walkers was $17,563.06 The top 3 walkers were: 1. Selly Pajamaki $5,896 2. Tony Caria $1,690 3. John Crilly $875 The top team was: The Walking Gardeners: Bob Manson & Diane Gordon $400

Thank you to all our generous sponsors!

Get yourself a sparkling red ribbon pin and show your support for AIDS Thunder Bay. Or get it as a Christmas gift for someone else. A donation of $5.00 will give you one of these lovely mementos. Available at reception at the office at 574 Memorial Ave. Your donation will support direct programs and services for people living with HIV/AIDS in your community.

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Upcoming Fundraising Events The annual waffle breakfast will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at St. John’s Anglican Church Hall, 226 Pearl Street, beside the casino Bring your sweetheart and loved ones to a special breakfast. It is the perfect way to begin to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Enjoy mouth-watering waffles with home-made whipped cream & fruit toppings. A scrumptious bake table too! This location is accessible. The accessible door is located at the back of the church hall, just off the parking lot.

TICKETS: $5.00 in advance $7.00 at door ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Taste for Life – Wednesday April 25, 2012 Watch for details about restaurants for this year’s event. Make reservations at one of the participating restaurants and enjoy dinner with family and friends. The restaurant will donate 25% of the evening’s proceeds to AIDS Thunder Bay. Check our website www.aidsthunderbay.org for updates!

Annual General Meeting AIDS Thunder Bay’s Annual General Meeting will be on November 16th at the St. John’s Ambulance building at 518 Fort William Road. Doors open at 6p.m. and the meeting begins at 7. We will once again be having a Silent Auction at the AGM so come prepared to do a little Christmas shopping. We will have things like books, CDs, DVDs, household items, toiletry items, art work, etc. Cash, cheques and credit cards are accepted. Page 3

EDUCATION UPDATE As an educator, I am constantly wondering if I am being effective in reaching people with information about HIV prevention and whether I am making a difference or not. I had no such thoughts on Saturday September 10th while working our display table at the Victoria Avenue Business Improvement Area Street Fair, when I had my most successful day as an educator. We know from our Engaging Populations at Risk Survey that at-risk populations (injection drug users) like to get information from people they trust, family members and peers. From 8:30 am until 4:45 pm, I engaged a constant stream of people from all walks of life: young and old, male and female, kids and parents, grandparents, political leaders and so on. When they left, I was confident that they knew the five bodily fluids that contain enough of the HIV virus that could infect them (semen and pre cum, vaginal fluid, blood, breast milk, rectal secretions), that there is no cure once infected, that 30% don’t know they are infected with HIV because they haven’t been tested and other information dispelling many myths about HIV that lead to more stigma/discrimination. I was also confident that they would share that information with their family members, peers and colleagues. I attended our local Ka-Na-Chi-Hih Solvent Abuse Treatment Centre Walk back on September 15th. I was glad I attended to show solidarity with an organization that shares many of the same challenges our agency faces. The Grey Wolf Teaching Lodge held a three-day event at the end of September and I was honoured to be there for the opening ceremonies, prayers and speeches. I displayed information of our agency, HIV and Hep C . I heard again of the struggles and challenges facing our aboriginal brothers and sisters. I was encouraged by the elders who were reaching out to the youth and taking a proactive approach by reconnecting them to the sacred teachings. As an agency we will need to find how to best work with our partners to address these common challenges. The Strategic Planning Committee, which I am a part of, has worked very hard completing an extensive look at our agency. We are certainly not the same agency as we were twenty-six years ago. We have successfully adjusted to each challenge over the years. We can boast a rich history to be proud of and the envy of many non-profit groups. We are now on the cusp of perhaps the biggest change our agency has ever faced, which is both scary and exciting. I am confident that the team we have will make the correct choices only after careful deliberation ensuring that we will maintain the highest standard of compassion and care for our clients. I know we have much hard work to do, but I also know when it is completed, AIDS Thunder Bay will be a vital, relevant part of our community and region for a long time to come. Bob Manson, Education Coordinator

World AIDS Day Breakfast Thursday, December 1, 2011 Victoria Inn 555 W. Arthur St. Thunder Bay 7:30am – 9:00am $10 Tickets available at AIDS Thunder Bay Page 4

Support Services Update Secret Santa Would you like Santa to bring you something special this Christmas? Register now for AIDS Thunder Bay’s Secret Santa. Take a few minutes to update your information on this sheet then drop it by our office. Gifts will be distributed at the upcoming PHA Christmas party. Name:____________________________ Address:__________________________ Telephone Number::_________________ DOB:_____________________________ Things I need/want for Christmas

Partners Name::_____________________ Partners DOB:______________________ Things I need/want for Christmas

Child’s Name:______________________ Child’s DOB:______________________ Things I need/want for Christmas

October 25, 2011 Dear Friends: It doesn't seem possible a year has passed and it's time for the “SECRET SANTA PROJECT 2011.” We are asking for your help in making Christmas special for the individuals and families within our care. Your donation of a gift item, turkey, gift card or cash can help support some of this city’s most disadvantaged members. All monetary donations will be used to purchase food and gift items for our clients and any cash donation of $20 or more will be eligible for a charitable tax receipt. THE SECRET SANTA PROJECT has been a proud tradition at AIDS Thunder Bay for over 20 years. We cannot begin to tell you how these gifts and tokens touch the lives of the people we serve. For those of you who have generously donated in the past we thank you, and we hope you will remember AIDS Thunder Bay during the 2011 holiday season. For pickup of unwrapped gift items or more information, contact Holly Gauvin at 345-1516 ext 24 or via email [email protected]. Our most sincere thanks,

The Secret Santa Committee

Funding Approval for 2nd Hep C Treatment Nurse The Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care recently approved ATB’s funding request to hire a second Hep C Treatment Nurse. The position has already been advertized and we are currently in the hiring process aiming for our new nurse to start by January 2012. This funding approval came at an opportune time as Canada has recently approved two new protease inhibitors for use in Hep C treatment and the expectation is that our treatment team will only get busier. Nurse Sarah is working with Dr. Gamble preparing several people to start this new treatment regimen soon and is excited about having another nurse on-board to share the work. Janet Adams, Clinic Coordinator

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News from the Volunteer Department Here’s what’s happening in the coming months: AGM—Nov. 16, 2011 Waffle Breakfast— Feb. 11, 2012 Tag Day—Apr. 7, 2012 A Taste For Life—Apr. 25, 2012 If you would like to volunteer for any of these events, please call Selly at 345-1516.

Thank you to the many volunteers who worked at the AIDS Walk, the RFDA Food Drive and the Opening Doors Counselling Conference. Your work made all these events very successful! And thank you to all our volunteer receptionists and drivers for your ongoing work. We couldn’t do our work without your help. Bingo volunteers also deserve a big thank you. They continue to work for us month after month for our biggest, continuous fundraiser. I’d like to once again thank those volunteer receptionists who worked extra shifts this summer and fall while others were unavailable. We really appreciated your availability, sometimes with very short notice.

As this is our last newsletter before the holiday season, I’d like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and an even happier New Year! May you have a joyous holiday season. Attention all clients, volunteers and visitors to the AIDS Thunder Bay office. We are a ‘scentfree’ building. Please do not wear colognes, perfumes, aftershave, or scented makeup or hairspray when visiting our premises. They have been known to cause allergic reactions for staff, clients and volunteers. Some scented fabric softeners have also caused reactions. Page 6

Selly Pajamaki. Coordinator of Volunteer Services

Here and There... Have You Purchased Your ATB Membership? Is your membership up-to-date? If you would like to renew or purchase a membership, please fill out this form and mail or fax it to: AIDS Thunder Bay 574 Memorial Ave. Thunder Bay, ON P7B 3Z2 Phone #: 345-1516 Fax #: 345-2505 Or, bring your completed form into the office. Name: ____________________________________ Address: __________________________________ __________________________________ Postal Code: _______________________________ Phone #: (Work)____________(Home)___________

When calling, would you prefer us to use discretion? Yes _____ No _____ Would you like to receive information by email? Yes _____ No _____ Email address: _______________________________________ This information may be used in future to contact you about fundraising/special events. Please note, AIDS Thunder Bay does not exchange mailing lists. All lists are confidential.

Basic membership

$10.00

Supporting membership

$25.00

I would also like to donate

$_____

For Information About AIDS or HIV Infection: Call the AIDS Hotline at 1-800-668-2437 About Superior Points: Call 624-2005, 625-8830 or 625-8831 About Anonymous HIV Testing in Thunder Bay Call 625-5981 or 624-2000 About Regular HIV Testing Call the Sexual Health Clinics 625-5976 or 6242000 About Counselling or Referrals Call AIDS Thunder Bay 345-1516 About HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Call Catie (Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange) 1-800-263-1638 About Legal Issues Call the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO), Tel. 416-340-7790 / 1-888-705-8889 Service bilingue disponible

ALL CALLS CONFIDENTIAL

Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time)

CATIE Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange

1-800-263-1638

HIV/AIDS Treatment Information email: [email protected]

internet: www.catie.ca

The opinions and medical information offered by “Front Line” are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the staff and Board of Directors of AIDS Thunder Bay. Medical information offered should be used at your own discretion. Please consult your doctor. Please address any comments or concerns to: Front Line 574 Memorial Ave. Thunder Bay, ON P7B 3Z2 Or, e-mail us at: [email protected] Visit us on the internet at: www.aidsthunderbay.org Page 7

Parting Glance AIDS Thunder Bay Board of Directors Bruno Allard Fran Dutli Marla Hollingsworth Carol Nicholson Sandra Russell Karen Vescio

Nancee Day Dennis Eeles Maureen Kahn Ruth Racic Brent Trudell Colette Villeneuve

AIDS Thunder Bay acknowledges and thanks our various funders: Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care AIDS Bureau and Hepatitis C Secretariat Public Health Agency of Canada, Ontario Region (ACAP) And all of the people involved in general fundraising and the support of many local businesses and individuals

AIDS Thunder Bay Staff Janet Adams Kylie Alton Joanne Clark John Crilly Mike Croft Holly Gauvin Lawrence Korhonen Bob Manson Kate Freeman Carrie Miller Selly Pajamaki Sarah Tycholiz

HIV Clinic Coordinator Program Assistant Administrative Coordinator Support/IDUO Worker IDU Outreach Worker Support Services Coordinator Hepatitis C Outreach Worker Executive Director Education & Communication Coordinator Hepatitis C Social Worker EHOP Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator Hep C Nurse

Front Line Contributors Selly Pajamaki ATB staff & volunteers

Editor

E.H.O.P Update:

From Carrie Miller (Enhancing Healthy Options Program Coordinator) Many of you probably already know my due date is fast approaching and my last day at AIDS Thunder Bay is Friday November 11, 2011. Before I go on maternity leave I would like to thank everyone for the support and understanding you have given me the past few months. It has been wonderful sharing this very special time of my life with all of you. Kari Chiappetta and Michelle Gentile will be coordinating E.H.O.P in my absence, with Michelle taking the lead. Kari has coordinated the ODCC for many years and has done other work at ATB such as the Health Agenda Review. Michelle will be working in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am – 3pm. Both Kari and Michelle will do a fabulous job coordinating the program. ATB originally received four years of funding for E.H.O.P by Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). Thanks to their great generosity we had many funding extensions and are now going into our 9th year of the program. However, E.H.O.P is winding down and scheduled to end March 31, 2012. I would like to thank PHAC (for their generous funding), all the community partners that have helped enrich the lives of the participants, and last, but not least, the clients who participated in the program. I’ve really enjoyed coordinating this program and over the years I’ve had the opportunity to grow both professionally and personally while working with all of you. I will miss you all. Page 8

The following article is reproduced from www.real-worldmindfulness.com for educational purposes. This information is presented as a point of interest; it does not necessarily reflect the opinions of AIDS Thunder Bay.

Mindful Laughter: Gaining Clarity While Giggling by Maya Frost

Life is funny. Throughout the day, there are plenty of humorous moments that we tend to ignore. We get so caught up in being earnest that we miss opportunities to gain clarity while giggling. Sure, there are times when it is considered inappropriate to laugh, but if we're honest, we'll see that if we're suppressing a smile it's a sign that we're fully present. Not only that, but these are times when we could most use a little laughter to bring levity to an overly-serious situation. The best business meetings—and funerals—I’ve ever attended included plenty of bust-agut moments. Years ago, during a two-week silent meditation retreat, I got the giggles. Oh, I know, you're supposed to be *serious* about meditating for five hours straight, but I couldn't help it.

Front Line

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It all started when I was roused from my peaceful posture by a certain "KLUNK!" from across the room. I opened my eyes to see that one of my retreat buddies had fallen asleep and landed with his head against the wall. Momentarily unnerved, he quickly straightened up, closed his eyes and put on his best meditator's face. I, on the other hand, completely lost it. I managed to stifle the first few giggles, but then they started escaping in little bursts. I tried the ol' coughing technique, hoping to disguise my snorts as expectoration, but I wasn't fooling anyone. Pretty soon, I saw (well, I did have my eyes open) others looking my way. Nobody else was laughing. In fact, nobody else was even smiling. Clearly, I was the only one who had allowed myself to get caught up in that unexpected moment of hilarity. I was chagrined, and then annoyed, and continued to watch my response to this incident shift over the next few minutes. Had it been funny? Of course. Were we supposed to be concentrating fully on the moment? Absolutely. Anything else would be attachment to past regrets or worries about the future. Okay, so we were focusing on watching our thoughts, and this little interruption was not part of what was going on in our heads. But isn't ignoring what's happening around us the same kind of thing that gets us into trouble back in the Real World? We go about our lives, obsessing silently, moving mindlessly, getting things done. We fail to notice the wonder and joy and beauty all around us because we are in full scowl mode about the things in our heads. Well, I'm all for taking time to laugh. Give me a giggling guru over a dour taskmaster every time. The greatest guides—in business, education, and personal success—are those who encourage us to invite hilarity into our lives whenever it happens to appear. Open your eyes to the silliness around you, and laugh out loud. It's good for your heart in every way.

Front Line

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