OTTAWA, Sept. 14, 2012 /CNW/ - During the week of September 15 to 23, 2012 people in over 40 communities across Canada will step up to the challenge at the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life and show care and support for the estimated 65,000 Canadians living with HIV.

"During the closing of this year's International AIDS Conference, AIDS 2012, we heard that an end to the HIV epidemic is now in sight," concedes Monique Doolittle-Romas, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian AIDS Society, "Yet, there remains no cure for HIV and the numbers tell a different story. Canadian statistics reveal that HIV rates in Canada have remained stable over the last 9 years. In 2010, HIV reports were a mere 2% lower than the previous year. Each step helps, but our collective steps are still needed to raise funds and awareness for HIV programs and services in communities across Canada.  That's why we ask Canadians to step up to the challenge and show their support."

While researchers may be getting closer to a cure and people with HIV are living longer and healthier lives than ever before, thanks to highly active antiretroviral treatments, it's community caring and compassion that can help now. Supporting the Walk in your community will enhance local prevention efforts and offer improved care and support services for people who are currently living with and affected by HIV in your community.

"Over the past four years Scotiabank has helped bring this important event to Canadians from coast to coast to promote knowledge around HIV/AIDS and raise funding for care and support services," said Duncan Hannay, Scotiabank Senior Vice President, Canadian Marketing. "In previous years our branches, employees and customers have rallied to the cause by coming out to take part in the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life, and we hope to welcome them all again this year. Together, we're helping to build a brighter future in the Canadian communities where we live and work."

So join us the week of September 15 to 23, as we step up to the challenge of raising funds and awareness during the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life. Register today for your local Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life, sponsor a participant or team, volunteer, or make a donation.

For more information on the Walks in your community, visit: www.aidswalkforlife.ca.

This year's Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life takes place across Canada on the following dates:

About Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life
The Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life is a project of the Canadian AIDS Society in partnership with the Positive Living Society of British Columbia, 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 over $36 million for community-based HIV/AIDS service organizations since 1996 and has attracted well over half a million participants. Scotiabank continues its multi-year commitment as title sponsor for the AIDS Walk, playing a key role in expanding its promotional and fundraising capacity.

National Sponsors

About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank Bright Future. Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $45 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit www.scotiabank.com.

SOURCE: Scotiabank - Sponsorships & Donations