OTTAWA, Sept. 12 /CNW/ - From September 14th to 21st thousands of people
across Canada will participate in the 2008 Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life in
support of community programs and services from coast to coast for people
living with HIV/AIDS. This year, the annual Walk will take place in more than
50 cities across the country as communities rally in solidarity and support of
this year's Walk.
    "HIV/AIDS is one of the most misunderstood and misrepresented infections
affecting Canadians today, yet we are growing towards a better comprehension
of the illness" said Monique Doolittle-Romas, Executive Director of the
Canadian AIDS Society. "The Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life helps increase
awareness about HIV/AIDS and dispels the many myths surrounding the virus."
    Participating in the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life sends a clear message
of hope and support for Canadians living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. The
Walk offers funds which support community programs, from prevention and
education to care, support and treatment for those living with, affected by
and at risk of HIV/AIDS. All proceeds from the Walk are directed to the
communities in which they are collected.
    "HIV and AIDS do not discriminate. Women, men, youth, and children across
this country in the communities where we live and work face the realities of
this unforgiving disease every day," said Rick Waugh Scotiabank President and
CEO. "By coming together in our communities throughout this diverse country
and participating in the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life, we are giving back to
the health and well-being of our society."
    In the past year alone, 2,518 Canadians were newly infected. "This next
generation of Canadians has grown up to believe that HIV/AIDS is a manageable
disease, contributing to a general sense of complacency," says Gerry
McConnery, Chair of the Canadian AIDS Society. "We need to inform, educate and
nurture our future generations, so that they will be better able to understand
HIV/AIDS and counter the many social issues at the root of the epidemic."
    With Morgan McConnell's The Nest selected as this year's official image,
the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life is all about creating clarity from chaos and
providing hope to the 58,000 people across Canada living with HIV/AIDS. To
become a leader in the HIV/AIDS movement and by participating in the
Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life in your community, please visit:
www.aidswalkforlife.ca.The Canadian AIDS Society and its partners thank the following national
sponsors for helping to make the 2008 Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life a success.

    Title:            Scotiabank

    Platinum:         Investors Group, Molson, Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio

    Gold:             Gilead

    Silver:           Pfizer

    Bronze:           Merck Frosst

    Official Courier: Canpar

    Media Partners:   Cineplex Media, Maclean's Magazine, Marketwire,
                      Outlooks Magazine, Zoom MediaScotiabank AIDS Walk for Life

    The Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life is a project of the Canadian AIDS
Society in partnership with the British Columbia Persons with AIDS Society,
the AIDS Committee of Toronto, and community-based AIDS organizations across
Canada. During the national week-long event, cities and communities from
across the country host Walks to raise funds for local services and
programming and to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. As Canada's most important
HIV/AIDS awareness and fundraising event, the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life
has now raised close to $28 million for community-based HIV/AIDS service
organizations since 1996 and has attracted over half a million participants.

    Scotiabank

    Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live
and work, both in Canada and abroad. Recognized as a leader internationally
and among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic
activities, in 2007 the Bank provided more than $43 million in sponsorships
and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas
of healthcare, education, social services, and arts and culture. Visit us at
www.scotiabank.com.