TORONTO, Sept. 11 /CNW/ - The 2009 Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life is
coming to 50 communities across Canada, beginning this weekend. This annual
event unites communities to raise awareness, educate, and raise funds to
support initiatives combating HIV/AIDS. All proceeds from the Walk go to
support community programs and services for people living with and affected by
HIV/AIDS. The funds stay in the communities in which they were raised.
    "As the title sponsor of these events, we would like to thank all
Canadians who will walk, or sponsor a walker in one of the upcoming Scotiabank
AIDS Walk for Life events," said John Doig, Scotiabank Senior Vice-President,
Canadian Marketing. "As long as there is no cure for HIV and AIDS, people in
our communities - women, youth, children and men, and their families -- face
the challenges of this disease every day. By coming together to raise
awareness and funds, we can help shape a better future."
    There is an estimated 62,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Canada, with
an 11 new cases of HIV are reported in Canada every day.
    The first fundraising and awareness walk for HIV/AIDS in Canada was held
in Vancouver in 1986. The Walk became a national event in 1996. At that time,
the Canadian AIDS Society agreed to coordinate and manage what was then known
as AIDS Walk Canada, at a national level, in cooperation with its community
partners. Since 1996, the national Walk has raised over $30 million for
community-based AIDS service organizations and has hosted well over half a
million participants. Scotiabank has been a sponsor of this event since 2007.
    2009 Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life events will be held in 50 communities
across Canada, including those listed below. Please visit
www.aidswalkforlife.ca for additional details by community.Amherst                     Kamloops                    Saint John
    Bear River First Nation     Kingston                    Saskatoon
    Belleville                  London                      Smithers
    Calgary                     Moncton                     St. John's
    Charlottetown               Nanaimo                     Sydney
    Corner Brook                Nelson                      Thunder Bay
    Cranbrook                   New Glasgow                 Toronto
    Dryden                      Niagara Region (St.         Truro
    Edmonton                     Catharines)                Vancouver
    Elmsdale                    North Bay                   Victoria
    Fredericton                 Ottawa                      Whitehorse
    Grande Prairie              Peel Region (Mississauga,   Windsor
    Halifax                      Brampton, Caledon)         Winnipeg
    Hamilton                    Peterborough
    Happy Valley - Goose Bay    Prince George"When we just talk about HIV or wear the red ribbon, we're standing in
solidarity with people living with and affected by HIV and providing them with
hope," says Monique Doolittle-Romas, Executive Director of the Canadian AIDS
Society. "But contributing to the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life means we are
able to make tangible difference in their lives, by enabling us to provide the
direct services that make their lives a little easier."
    The Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life gratefully acknowledges Scotiabank and
all of its sponsors who help increase awareness of the Walk and contribute to
its success through their support. 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. For more information and to find the
Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life nearest you, please visit us at
www.aidswalkforlife.ca.

    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 2008 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.