Scotiabank Steps Up to Support the AIDS Walk for Life
Toronto, May 9, 2008 - Scotiabank and the AIDS Walk for Life are coming together for the 2008 Scotiabank AIDS Walk for
Life to be held in communities across Canada September 14-21.
"The Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life is an important event for all Canadians," said Rick Waugh, Scotiabank President and CEO.
"AIDS and HIV do not discriminate. Men, women, youth, and children across this country in the communities where we live
and work face the realities of this unforgiving disease every day. We are proud to support an event that provides important
funding to fight AIDS and raises awareness about prevention of HIV."
"With more than 2,000 cases of HIV/AIDS reported in Canada every year, the case for enhancing our efforts goes beyond
humanitarian reasons, although these are important. With no cure, the economic costs in lost productivity and the loss of
talented Canadians compel us to act," said Mr. Waugh.
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 close to $28
million for community-based AIDS service organizations and has hosted over half a million participants. Scotiabank has been a
sponsor of this event since 2007.
2008 Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life events will be held in more than 50 communities across Canada.
"With national coordination we are able to ensure that all funds raised through the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life stay in the
communities where the walks take place and are directed towards services and prevention programs where they are needed,"
explains Monique Doolittle-Romas, Executive Director of the Canadian AIDS Society. "The support provided through this
partnership will help us to recruit more walkers, raise more awareness, and help stop the spread of HIV in Canada."
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 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.
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ALL SCOTIABANK AIDS WALK FOR LIFE PROCEEDS SUPPORT DIRECT SERVICES FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH AND AFFECTED BY HIV/AIDS IN YOUR COMMUNITY.
TOUS LES PROFITS DE LA MARCHE ACTION SIDA BANQUE SCOTIA SERVENT À SOUTENIR DES SERVICES DIRECTS POUR LES PERSONNES DE VOTRE COMMUNAUTÉ VIVANT AVEC
LE VIH/SIDA OU QUI EN SONT AFFECTÉES.
Contact:
Tricia Diduch, Canadian AIDS Society, 613-230-3580, extension 130
Livy Feldgajer, Scotiabank Public Affairs, 416-866-6203
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