World AIDS Day

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The most recent numbers suggest that over 75 000 Canadians were living with HIV in 2014, and according to the AIDS network another seven people in the country are infected with the virus every day.

Deb Farrow has been living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, for 16 years.

“I was raped on Christmas day in 1999.”

Deb says after her diagnosis it took five years before she ever said the term HIV out loud.

“I scrubbed my body with an SOS pad and Comet because I felt so dirty. It wasn’t just the rape it was what he left behind.”

Deb says today she feels fabulous and wants to help others come to terms with their HIV.

“Just come out and not be afraid anymore because this is 2016.”

Today red scarves were tied to trees and park benches in Brantford and Oshweken and are free for who ever wants to take them.

“The hope is that all these red scarves will help spark a conversation and help end the stigma surrounding HIV.”

And get the word out that people need to be tested.

“Indeginous communities, we’re all at risk just for the fact that we have limited access to testing and medical services. It’s usually people getting diagnosed when they’re going in for something else.” said Laura Williams from Ontario Aboriginal AIDS/HIV Strategy.

“The people who get what we call full blown AIDS are the ones who maybe didn’t recognize that they had HIV infection.” said Dr. Fiona Smaill, an HIV Specialist.

There is currently a pill on the market called Prep that is very effective in preventing HIV when taken daily.

A new vaccine against HIV is currently being tested in South Africa where 1,000 people contract the infection every day.