On April 30th, the Canadian Foundation of AIDS Research (CANFAR) held their annual Can You Do Lunch? luncheon.
This annual luncheon serves as a gathering of community as well as a learning opportunity for those attending. This years theme, Aging with HIV, featured a panel including Juno winning jazz musician Billy Newton-Davis, advocate Randy Davis and Dr. Alice Zhabokritsky moderated by Valerie Pringle. All panelists shared the interesting phenomenon that, with current treatments, people with HIV/AIDS are living longer than ever and now data is being collected around what aging with this disease looks like. Billy Newton-Davis is in his mid 70s but was diagnosed with this illness in a time where that type of life longevity may not have been imaginable. The panel also highlighted that 50% of Canadians living with HIV are now over the age of 50.
Billy Newton-Davis and Joey Niceforo also performed Elton John classic Don’t Let The Sun Go Down on Me, stirring emotions across the audience. The luncheon also featured a rousing live auction moderated by El Mocambo’s Mike Chalut and Canadian Fashion legend Jeanne Beker. With almost 450 people in the room and over $310,000 raised the luncheon was a huge success that helps many communities receive pivotal resources and supplies to help eradicate HIV/AIDS.
CANFAR is a national, independent organization advancing HIV knowledge and science. Fueled by fundraising, we invest in and foster effective research, build awareness, and cultivate partnerships to share expertise and encourage joint action. We have given more than $26 million in grants to HIV/AIDS research projects. Together, these nearly 575 projects have helped achieve breakthroughs in HIV prevention, testing, access to treatment, combatting stigma, and the search for a cure.
Their next hallmark event is AIDS Beat/CANFAR Rocks. Hosted on June 6th at the El Mocambo, guests will enjoy a lively and entertaining rock band competition. 8 groups will hit the stage all to raise funds for CANFAR and move Canada even closer to eradicating HIV/AIDS in Canada.
Tickets are on sale here!
Hillary LeBlanc
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