HIV/AIDS is a serious issue but, under its shadow, HIV Community Link is going to work hard this year to create a fun and dynamic environment at the AIDSwalk for Life. While their goal is for everyone to be engaged in the event and to enjoy themselves, they also want to hammer home the importance of the walk itself and what it means for the community.

There has been a significant increase in community involvement over the years, as well as sponsor involvement – Starbucks, MAC, and Old Navy, to name a few – showing their support. The walk is expecting at least 500 to 700 participants this year. It is an important day for both new and old supporters of awareness initiatives; many walkers this year are repeat supporters.

The Scotiabank AIDSwalk is certainly one of the Community Link’s most important campaigns, as donations from it help the organization to do the work they do all year round – fighting the stigma and bringing relief to those in need.

Register for Calgary’s Scotiabank AIDSwalk on September 20th from 12pm to 7pm at Calgary Cares Centre, 110—1603 10 Avenue SW. The walk takes place on September 21st starting from the Eau Claire Plaza at noon. For more information, visit http://www.hivcl.org.

HIV Community Link’s next campaign happens right before Christmas. Their Holiday Hamper fundraiser will create hampers to help support clients through the holiday season.

Red Deer’s AIDSwalk is being supported by CAANS (Central Alberta AIDS Network Society), a participant of the walk for over 10 years. The need for CAANS and its programs has been growing, and its various fundraisers are what helps the organization keep giving back to the community. The AIDSwalk strives to bring awareness to the many people who continue to believe that they are not at risk to HIV and other STIs.

This year’s event promises to be a fun and diverting one, with participants undertaking not just a simple walk, but something more akin to the Amazing Race. Participants will receive clues that take them to different social services in downtown Red Deer where they will be asked questions and given more clues to continue on to their next destination. It is the hope that formatting the walk this way will not only help spread awareness of HIV/AIDS, but also introduce attendees to the different social services available to community members in downtown Red Deer.

The event expects roughly 100 participants this year. The walk will be followed with prizes, food, and drink. Participate in Red Deer’s Scotiabank AIDSwalk on September 20th. Registration is at noon. The opening ceremonies start at 1:30pm with the walk to commence at 2pm.

Alongside the AIDSwalk, CAANS runs various other programs, such as NightReach, which helps keep the community warm and safe from winter-related health issues. For more information, check out http://caans.org.

The Scotiabank AIDSwalk for Life for all three of these cities is hosted by HIV North, from the end of August throughout September. Fort McMurray just wrapped its walk up on August 31st, but Peace River and Grande Prairie are still slated for September 13th and 21st, respectively. Involvement in the walks has risen steadily, especially in Fort McMurray, but more participation and more awareness is always the aim. The walks function as HIV North’s main events of the year, and certainly aren’t to be missed. Registration is still open.

"The turnout we’re expecting between the three walks is probably about 250 participants," said Melissa Byers, who is helping to plan this year’s event in Grande Prairie. "The community has definitely supported us."

This support has come in the forms of donations, prizes, and participants, growing steadily every year,  but there is always more room to grow.

"This year I would like to see greater awareness around HIV. I would like to see a lot of the community members to come out, not just partner agencies," Byers said. "I’d just like greater awareness and communication in talking about HIV."

Peace River’s Scotiabank AIDSwalk happens on September 13th in Riverfront Park. Registration starts at 11am, the walk begins at noon and ends with a barbecue and prize presentation.

Grande Prairie’s Scotiabank AIDSwalk for Life happens on September 21st in Muskoseepi Park. Registration is at 9am, with the walk beginning at 10am.

Alongside these events, HIV North offers a variety of services in all three cities, and they are always looking for volunteers. For more information visit http://www.hivnorth.org.

Heroes for Zero is the theme of this year’s event, challenging the city to ‘join forces to bring awareness and fight stigma’. These heroes are community members who are standing up and supporting HIV Edmonton’s vision: zero new HIV transmissions, zero stigma and discrimination, and zero AIDS related deaths. This year the 23rd annual walk will begin in the Old Strathcona district, cross the high level bridge and descend into the legislature grounds. Participants are encouraged to show up in costume for the Superhero warm-up.

Participants will have chance to reflect and commemorate those who have been victims of HIV/AIDS with the AIDS memorial quilts on display at the Legislature grounds. The Memorial Quilts are embroidered with the names of Edmontonions who have been lost to AIDS related illnesses since HIV Edmonton was incorporated. They are a beautiful but sad reminder of what we all have lost to HIV/AIDS.

The day will end with a performance by Audrey and the Crashers. Vanity Fair and Global Edmonton’s Nancy Carlson will emcee the event, and for the first time HIV Edmonton will be debuting beer gardens hosted by Yukon Brewing.

Fall is a busy time for HIV Edmonton; after the walk they will begin planning their Starbucks Celebrity Barista event for World AIDS Day. There is also an annual backpack program (where community members donate items to fill a backpack for HIV Edmonton clients) and the Annual Festive Feast Turkey Dinner, where the backpacks are distributed. These events run right up to the holidays, so make sure you kick the season off right with the AIDSwalk, September 20th. Registration is at 5pm. The walk begins at 6:15pm. For more information, visit http://www.hivedmonton.com