Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR)
2200 Yonge Street, Suite 1600 M4S 2C6 Toronto, ON, Canada

A major breakthrough in the fight to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Canada, it will soon be possible in the coming months to purchase and self-administer a test for HIV in one’s home that will allow people to safely discover their status in as little as one minute. Approval of self-testing by Healthy Canadians marks a landmark moment for HIV care and prevention, which also means it is now possible to predict the HIV epidemic in our country will end within the next five years.... To find out more about the approval of HIV self-testing, visit the link below! https://bit.ly/34RHZMR #HIV #HIVselftest #EndingHIVinCanada #CANFAR2025

We are just three short weeks away from Bloor Street Entertains! Our top priority is keeping everyone safe and as COVID cases continue to increase, we encourage you to dedicate your evening on November 25th to BSE surrounded by your immediate family and close circle, with a donation to CANFAR. This year, Bloor Street Entertains will move online with a web broadcast you can be a part of from home when you make a donation. We have a few treats in store including a live record...ing of the National Arts Centre / Centre national des Arts orchestra, directed and introduced by none other than NAC Artistic Director Alexander Shelley. Stay tuned for our Signature Silent Auction, live next Wednesday on November 11th. To make your BSE evening even more magical and take advantage of upscale catering or florals, we invite you to connect with our Bloor Street Entertains long-time partners! Check them out below: Culinary: Chase Hospitality Group Daniel et Daniel Aburi Hana Miku Restaurant Toronto Toben Food By Design Presidential Gourmet Oliver & Bonacini Hospitality ONE The McEwan Group Florals: San Remo Floral Design Studio Jackie O Inspired Event Rentals Opening Night Flowers Toronto Florist Earthwork Staffing: DGS Events Staff Your Event Rentals: Chair Decor Etc. For more information and to register for Bloor Street Entertains, visit the link below! https://bit.ly/31Qqb2K #HIV #EndingHIVinCanada #CANFAR2025 #BSE2020 : Alexander Shelley

Thank you CityNews Toronto and Brandon Rowe for your report on the approval of HIV self-testing in Canada! "The moment you get the HIV self-testing tool, there's step you can take immediately to understand what linkage to care is. There is a safe space created for you where you can find out the next steps you should be taking whether your status is positive or negative." -@afiliatrault, CANFAR CEO HIV self-testing is instrumental in reaching CANFAR's 5-year goal of eradicatin...g the HIV epidemic in Canada. The number one way to curb the rate of new HIV infections is prevention. Stigma is a large factor influencing the decision to get tested but HIV self-testing kits will allow greater access and opportunity for Canadians to know their status and seek out the proper care. To watch the full video clip online, visit the link below! https://bit.ly/3613c6w #HIV #HIVselftest #EndingHIVinCanada #CANFAR2025

The day has finally come, HIV self-testing has been approved for sale in Canada! Canadians will soon be able to purchase and self-administer a test for HIV in their own home and discover their status in as little as one minute. Following an extensive study led by Dr. Sean Rourke and St. Michael’s Hospital, funded in part by CANFAR, Health Canada approved self-testing yesterday. HIV self-testing kits represent a breakthrough in our fight against HIV/AIDS, and make it possible ...to foresee that we can end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Canada within the next 5 years! In Canada, an estimated 65,000 people live with HIV but 14% of them are unaware of their status. Self-testing will provide greater access and opportunity for all Canadians to learn their status and seek out treatment and prevention services. Until now, HIV self-testing kits have not been approved for sale, or available to Canadians who need them, despite the fact that they are available in more than 30 other countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and France. How does the HIV self-test work? A person pricks their finger, takes a single drop of blood with the materials provided in the kit, follows the simple procedure instructions provided in the package, and reads their results. The process can take as little as one minute. To find out more about the HIV self-test in Canada, visit the link below! https://bit.ly/34RHZMR #HIV #HIVselftest #EndingHIVinCanada #CANFAR2025

HIV symptoms can go unnoticed for a period of up to 10 years. Knowing your status is paramount in seeking out the proper care. With the arrival of self-testing kits, Canadians will have the ability to find out their HIV status where they want, when they want and with whomever they want. To find out more about the expected arrival of HIV self-testing kits in Canada, visit the link below! Source: Canada.ca... https://bit.ly/31M8wcY #HIV #HIVselftest #EndingHIVinCanada #CANFAR2025

In a 2020 report released by the Public Health Agency of Canada, it revealed the number of new HIV cases increased by 25.3% over a span of four years. After funding cuts were made in 2016, despite warnings to government officials, it led to rising HIV rates across the country, setting Canada further back when compared to other G7 nations. In addition to funding cuts, HIV self-testing kits are currently available in France, U.S., U.K., among others, but are not yet available i...n Canada. We expect the approval of HIV self-tests to come within the next several weeks which will drastically influence our goal of eradicating HIV in Canada within the next five years. To learn more about HIV self-testing, visit the link below. Sources: Healthy Canadians Canadian AIDS Society - Société canadienne du sida https://bit.ly/31M8wcY #HIV #HIVselftest #EndingHIVinCanada #CANFAR2025

@billi_day, four-time Juno Award Winning Vocalist and CANFAR Community Award recipient, recounts his experience being diagnosed with HIV and speaks to power of knowledge self-testing will bring to susceptible populations in Canada. Visit the link below to learn more! https://bit.ly/31M8wcY #CANFAR2025 #HIV #HIVSelfTest #EndingHIVinCanada

"At this point, most people know somebody who is HIV positive". Jade Elektra, CANFAR National Ambassador, speaks to the importance of coming out about her HIV status to open up the dialogue surrounding HIV stigma. Since 2007, Jade has rallied in the fight against HIV to create safe spaces for the HIV+ community and normalize these important conversations surrounding HIV/AIDS. To find out how CANFAR is helping to Stamp out HIV Stigma, visit the link below! https://bit.ly/35NX...DZd #HIV #EndingHIVinCanada #StampOutHIVStigma #CANFAR2025

"The next five years can truly be the last five years in our fight against HIV in Canada." Alex Filiatrault CANFAR CEO, is asking for your help to help rally around the #CANFAR2025 campaign and help us realize our goal. To find out more about the CANFAR 20/25 campaign and the ways you can lend your support, visit the link below! https://bit.ly/31M8wcY #HIV #HIVselftest #EndingHIVinCanada

Fear of being found out and being treated differently as a result of (possibly) contracting HIV is an overwhelming factor contributing to lack of testing. When self-testing becomes available in Canada, we can expect this stigma to drastically decrease. Visit the link below to learn more. https://bit.ly/31M8wcY #HIV #HIVselftest #EndingHIVinCanada... #CANFAR2025 See more

This Sunday, October 11th is National Coming Out Day, join us in celebrating alongside LGBTQI2S! This is not only a day of celebration, but also a day to raise awareness and help make a difference within our communities. There is still plenty of work be done and the numbers speak for themselves. 30% of Canadian employees report experiencing discrimination in the workplace. 25-40% of homeless youth in Canada identify as LGBTQI2S.... 49% of trans students have reported experiencing sexual harassment. 42% of LGBTQI2S seniors fear being ‘forced back into the closet’ in residential care. Egale Canada has made strides to better the lives of LGBTQI2S people in Canada by informing public policy, inspiring cultural change, and promoting human rights and inclusion through research, education, awareness and legal advocacy. To find out how you can support this amazing organization, visit the link below! + stats: Egale #NationalComingOutDay egale.ca

Join the magic of Bloor Street Entertains... at home! Bloor Street Entertains sponsored by our Signature Partner, BMO Financial Group, is our biggest event of the year. In light of the current climate we're experiencing in Canada and around the world, although we won't see you in person this year, we are unnwavering in our commitment to keep the spirit of BSE alive. We invite you to celebrate major milestones with us at the 2020 edition of BSE including the approval of sel...f-testing kits in Canada slated to be announced this fall. Join the magic at home, on November 25th, 2020 by dedicating your night to BSE and CANFAR. With any donation of $1,000 or more, you will receive a luxury gift basket including GH Mumm Cordon Rouge Champagne and several treats for you and your guests. Experience our fabulous (and now all-virtual) silent auction and a few other surprises, including a broadcast featuring special guests, among them BSE Honourary Chair, Salah Bachir. This year's edition of Bloor Street Entertains marks the twelve month countdown to CANFAR's highly anticipated 25th anniversary of BSE in 2021. The support we receive from the CANFAR community will be integral in reaching our #CANFAR2025 goal of ending the HIV epidemic in Canada within the next five years, we hope you can join us! To register for BSE 2020, make a donation or find out more about the CANFAR 20/25 campaign, visit the link below! https://bit.ly/31Qqb2K #BSE2020 #HIV #EndingHIVinCanada

"Self-testing kits will be particularly impactful within hard-to-reach communities like reserves which don't have access to sexual health clinics". Kent Monkman, CANFAR Creative Community Award recipient and Cree Visual Artist, speaks to the need of HIV self-testing kits. As we recognized #OrangeShirtDay this week, bringing attention to the disparities felt by Indigenous communities across Canada is the first step to initiate change. With the launch of HIV self-testing kits c...oming to Canada this year, it will provide all Canadians with greater access to the knowledge and care they need. To learn more about HIV self-testing, visit the link below! https://bit.ly/31M8wcY #HIV #HIVselftest #EndingHIVinCanada #CANFAR2025

Based on the 2018 HIV Surveillance Data report by PHAC, the rate of HIV diagnoses increased Canada's overall national average to 6.9% up from 6.5% the previous year. Preventative tools such as condoms, PrEP, PEP, and harm reduction services are available to help curb the spread of HIV. To learn more about how CANFAR is increasing prevention, visit the link below: https://bit.ly/34wtXAe #HIV #EndingHIVinCanada #CANFARFacts... #CANFAR2025 See more

CANFAR Patron, Janice O'born, knows becoming aware of your HIV status is a primary factor in taking the essential next steps to receive proper care. Through medications such as PrEP, many people experiencing HIV can go on to live long and healthy lives but it all starts with knowing your status. Canada's approval of HIV self-testing will allow a greater population to learn about their status and seek the necessary health care they deserve. To learn more about HIV self-testing... and improving HIV health outcomes in Canada, visit the link below. https://bit.ly/31M8wcY #HIV #HIVselftest #EndingHIVinCanada #CANFAR2025

Today we recognize #OrangeShirtDay and acknowledge how the impact of the residential school system has played a part in the health disparities we see among Indigenous populations in Canada today, including their over-representation in HIV. CANFAR is dedicated to #StampingOutStigma to ensure each Canadian affected by HIV/AIDS, regardless of race and socio-economic status, receives the support and care they deserve. To find out how you can support Orange Shirt Day, visit the link in below! https://bit.ly/3jkdV1j #OrangeShirtDay #CANFARFacts #EndingHIVinCanada

Jeanne Beker, CANFAR Creative Community Award recipient and long-time CANFAR supporter, shares how instrumental the next five years will be in realizing our goal to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Canada by the year 2025. To learn more about the #CANFAR2025 campaign, visit the link in below! https://bit.ly/31M8wcY #HIV #HIVselftest #EndingHIVinCanada

One of the main actions taken by Canada's government to help CANFAR realize its goal of ending the HIV epidemic by 2025 is the approval of at-home HIV self-tests. Other G7 countries such as France, U.S. and U.K. currently have self-tests available. The stigma involved with HIV testing is a major deterrant to knowing your HIV status and we expect the arrival of self-testing kits in Canada to lead to greater advancements in HIV care and awareness, similar to our our G7 allies. ...To find out more about self-testing and HIV stigma, visit the link below. https://bit.ly/31M8wcY #HIV #HIVselftest #EndingHIVinCanada #CANFAR2025

These include gay and bisexual men, people of colour, immigrants, Indigenous people, and injecting drug users. Prejudice towards these groups extends into the healthcare system. To find out how you can help stamp out stigma, click on the link below. https://bit.ly/35KDu7Y #HIV #HIVselftest #EndingHIVinCanada... #CANFAR2025 See more

Change begins with one person. Join us in the fight to eradicate HIV in Canada. Trevor Stratton, CANFAR National Ambassador, speaks to the impact HIV self-testing will bring to Canada. Stay tuned for a special announcement in the coming weeks! https://bit.ly/35KDu7Y #HIV #HIVselftest #EndingHIVinCanada... #CANFAR2025 See more

HIV stigma arises from fear, lack of knowledge, and existing prejudices against groups of people most affected by the virus. Defeating common myths surrounding the transmission of HIV will play a significant role in stamping out stigma. To learn more, visit the link below. https://bit.ly/35KDu7Y #HIV #HIVselftest #EndingHIVinCanada... #CANFAR2025 See more

Bi Visibility Day, also known as International Celebrate Bisexuality Day, is marked each year on September 23 to celebrate bisexual folks, their accomplishments and histories. We invite you to celebrate alongside us!

Thank you Toronto Life and Isabel Slone for featuring our annual Can You Do Lunch? fundraiser! As the city’s first in-person event since the start of COVID-19, this year’s edition unfolded a little differently than past years. Can You Do Lunch? Is less about the event and more about the message: we have the opportunity to end HIV in Canada by 2025 with the self-testing kits that are about to be approved. To read the full Toronto Life article and to find out more about the ...#CANFAR2025 campaign, visit the links below! : George Pimentel Toronto Life: https://bit.ly/33SayIy CANFAR/2025: https://bit.ly/31M8wcY

Valerie Pringle, Canfar's National Spokesperson, reminds us that it is possible to end the HIV epidemic in Canada when self-testing becomes available. With the introduction of the #CANFAR2025 campaign, self-testing will be the instrumental component to reach our goal of eradicating HIV/AIDS in Canada within the next five years. We expect to see self-testing approval in Canada arrive within the coming weeks. To learn more about the CANFAR/2025 campaign and self-testing in Cana...da, visit the link below! https://bit.ly/31M8wcY #HIV #HIVselftest #EndingHIVinCanada #CANFAR2025

Funded by CANFAR and Reach 2.0, PHD Graduate Sarah Switzer, led a highly original research endeavor: she invited stakeholders within the HIV community to visually document what engagement, in programming and service delivery, meant to them. Click on the link below for the full article. https://bit.ly/3khthDY #HIV #EndingHIVinCanada

In case you missed it, you can catch the full broadcast recording of Can You Do Lunch? at the link in below! Tune in for an unforgettable performance from Billy Newton-Davis and the unveiling of the new #CANFAR2025 campaign. A special thanks to Jeanne Beker, Valerie Pringle, Andy Pringle, Sylvia Mantella, Kent Monkman and Phillip Ing for making the day such an outstanding success! https://bit.ly/33wquQF #HIV #HIVselftest #EndingHIVinCanada

This year’s edition of ‘Can You Do Lunch?’ marks the launch of the #CANFAR2025 campaign. This new fundraising and awareness campaign is destined to ensure the HIV/AIDS epidemic will end by 2025 in our nation, a new goal made possible with the introduction of self-testing in Canada, slated for this fall. Through innovative research and awareness programs focused on increasing prevention, increasing testing, improving treatment and care, and ending HIV stigma, we are confident the HIV epidemic will be eradicated in Canada by the year 2025. Join us as we embark on our new five-year goal. To learn more, head to the CANFAR website through the link in bio.

Andy Pringle, Chair of CANFAR for 26 years, speaks to the expected arrival of self-testing in Canada this coming fall. As we make this leap forward as a nation, we are excited to announce the #CANFAR2025 campaign at this afternoon's Can You Do Lunch? Check out the link in below to learn more! https://bit.ly/31M8wcY #HIV #HIVselftest #EndingHIVinCanada