The deadliest disease in human history

"It is now considered, the deadliest disease in human history."

"Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. AIDS. It’s fatal, there is no cure. If you get aids, you’re going to die."

"20 million people have died from this devastating illness since 1981. 42 million people are living with this disease today . 1 person every 13.1 seconds dies from AIDS. HIV\AIDS is a global disaster."


These are a few of the sobering comments Kara Blandford, Royal Canadian Legion Provincial speech winner and Alamguin High School student, shared during the 2007 Annual General Meeting for the AIDS Committee of North Bay and Area (ACNBA) Wednesday night at Inn on the Bay.

Blandford was guest speaker and read her award winning speech geared at reminding everyone, especially teenagers, that this scourge has continued to invade the world for 20 plus years and that there is no cure in sight.

In the Executive Director’s report Jennifer Furtney reminded folks that ACNBA has been hosting an AGM for 16 years now and that the ride has not always been a smooth one.

“We come to testify and bear witness to the toll of HIV illness. We come to with our tears and our laughter. We come with hope and faith in a brighter day. Our hope and faith that on final day our work will be done and we will shut the doors for good,” she states.

“Who could have imagined that we’d still be doing this work sixteen years later, that we’d still be scrambling to keep the office open, financially support our clients, still listening to the stories and offering a shoulder.”

Furtney’s report also went on to say that folks living with HIV and AIDS in North Eastern Ontario continue to struggle with barriers such as poverty, treatment failures, and accessing services.

Furtney reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to continuing the fight and that each life matters.

“There is no cure. However, there is always help at the AIDS Committee of North Bay and Area.”

Sandy Foster and Jennifer Valenti were also guest speakers who shared their knowledge of the affect of AIDS in Kenya.

Both Foster and Valenti warned the audience that they are not experts on the disease rather that they have witnessed firsthand the toll the disease is having in Africa.

Last year the duo joined three other people for the North Bay area and travelled to Kenya hoping to make a difference in the lives of orphans, families and single mothers.

Foster said the journey was truly an incredible experience and that she has dedicated herself to returning each year in order to help improve the lives of the children in Kenya.

“My enthusiasm is strong and I will again return this year with five other people from the North Bay area in the hopes that we will make a difference in the lives of orphan children who have been left without families by HIV/AIDS.”

Foster also acknowledged the invaluable help ACNBA has been to her with education on the disease, as well as helping her obtain condoms to bring on the journey.

“This year we want to take female condoms,” she informs Dennis Chippa, HIV Education Program Coordinator.

“Because women are the ones who are going to make a difference and change this disease over there,” she adds.

The AIDS Committee is located at Suite 201-269 Main St West
North Bay, Ontario and hours of operation are Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.