IN THE 1990s, THE HIV/AIDS EPIDEMIC WAS AT ITS HEIGHT IN TORONTO. NO TREATMENT WAS AVAILABLE TO FIGHT THE DISEASE. FOR MANY, A DIAGNOSIS EQUALED CERTAIN DEATH. A GROUP OF LAWYERS, TIRED OF WATCHING THE EPIDEMIC DEVASTATE THEIR COMMUNITY, DECIDED TO FIGHT BACK.
CANFAR Rocks (AIDSbeat) was created over 20 years ago to raise money in support of the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR), and its mission to fund all aspects of HIV research – from increased prevention efforts, increased opportunities for testing, improved health outcomes for people living with HIV in Canada, and reduced stigma. That research has had a huge impact. People can now access life-saving treatment. However, we can not allow ourselves to become complacent. Over 63,000 people in Canada living with HIV and on average, 4 people newly acquire HIV every 24 hours in Canada.
CANFAR Rocks continues to support CANFAR, through funding innovative research, national awareness programs, and dynamic partnerships, CANFAR remains a trailblazer in its mission to end HIV in Canada.