While there continues to be a stigma surrounding HIV, a Prince George walk looked to break those barriers today (July 20).
According to Canadian government numbers, there was a total of 2,402 new HIV diagnoses in 2017, which was an increase of three per cent compared to the year before.
There has been a 17.1 per cent increase since 2014.
Today, community members, elected government officials, and advocacy groups were at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park to help bring more awareness around the disease.
"It wasn't long ago, that if you were impacted by AIDS, your future didn't look very bright," MLA Shirley Bond says. "But because of walks like this and education and information and research, things are more hopeful now and that's what this event is about. There is the chance to live longer, live healthier and you're all making a step today by being part of that. We need to be inclusive in our community."
Acting Mayor Garth Firzzell echoed a similar message, saying there is more hope in the world.
"This is an important event," he says. "This walk and the time we have today is about hope. Hope for improving living with the disease but also hope for the cure that's going to come."
Positive Living North and Nechako Rotary Club worked together to host the 2019 walk.
Executive Director of Positive Living North, Angelia Wilson, noted the community is a large reason for helping spread the message of hope.
"To me, having people come out to the walk really shows support to those who are living with the virus," she says. "We're here to support those who are living with HIV in Prince George and raise awareness for people in the community to know that even though it's a chronic, manageable disease, we still have to stay on top of this virus and make sure people are aware and are protecting themselves and their loved ones."
