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Runners bring HIV/AIDS Hope relay to North Bay

It’s an interesting way to spread the message about HIV/AIDS. The Canadian AIDS Society and Mylan Pharmaceuticals have sponsored a Relay of Hope across the country.

It’s an interesting way to spread the message about HIV/AIDS.

The Canadian AIDS Society and Mylan Pharmaceuticals have sponsored a Relay of Hope across the country.
The relay, designed to raise funds for the Canadian AIDS Society and raise awareness of the issue of HIV/AIDS, made a stop in North Bay Monday.

London’s  Delaney Brown, one of the runners, says it’s an opportunity she didn’t want to pass up.

“I thought it would be a great experience because I’ve always loved running. I started doing half marathons and marathons when I was doing my first year of university,” said Brown.  

“I thought it would be a wonderful experience. I personally didn’t know a lot about HIV/AIDS before I started this journey. But I think it’s important for me to be well aware of it and now I’m able to speak to friends, family about it, spread the word.”

Sofia Tuttle is taking part in the relay all the way from Atlanta, Georgia.

“It’s a once in a lifetime chance and I thought as a runner I like to run so why not do it for an incredible cause,” Tuttle said.  

“I think the spreading the news is really important, eliminating the negative stigma. I have a lot of interest in it from the medical field, so I’m used to pursuing the science aspect. So I thought it would be  really cool to participate in the social aspect.”

The runners take turns on the highway, then camp where they can.

They bring a Quilt of Hope for people to sign and provide a message of hope to those living with HIV/AIDS.
The run started in Newfoundland, is now in its 11th week and has already clocked four thousand kilometres.

Delaney says the response so far has been very positive.

“We’ve got a lot of words of encouragement. Most people don’t know a lot about HIV/AIDS in Canada. Most of them think it’s kind of a third world kind of problem. They don’t realize it’s close to home as well. We’ve definitely been giving them information on HIV/AIDS in Canada.”

The Trio joined with members of the AIDS Committee of North Bay and Area for an afternoon meet and greet.

Kat Jodouin, the agency’s Women and HIV Co-ordinator, says the message the youth are giving is a key one. 

“It’s a great way to give people exposure to the cause. Obviously it’s an international issue, but this kind of message says it’s also national and a local issue as well.”

Following an overnight stay in North Bay, the trio heads to Sudbury tomorrow to finish their leg of the run.
Three more runners will join them there and the baton will be passed.