905-842-6030 90 den dentistoakville.com SNA NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR 2010 ontario's top newspaper - 2005-2008 Unstoppable Eddy Williams Page 10 353 IROQUOIS SHORE DRIVE, OAKVILLE A member of Metroland Media Group Ltd. Vol. 50 No. 33 "Using Communication To Build Better Communities" FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2012 40 Pages $1.00 (plus tax) Early spring Halton area not immune to HIV/AIDS By Christina Commisso METROLAND MEDIA WEST It's a term associated with a lost generation. It's disease that claims two millions lives a year. It's a reality that hundreds of Halton resident wrestle with daily. It's HIV/AIDS. "We tend to focus on the tragedy of AIDS in other parts of the world. That makes people forget what's happening in our own backyard, " said Tim McClemont, president of the AIDS Network. Throughout the last 24 years, the AIDS Network has served 1.8 million people throughout Halton, Hamilton and the surrounding area with support services to an estimated 1,100 people living with HIV/AIDS and their families. On March 29, the group is hosting a free screening of the awardwinning documentary We Were Here at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, followed by a panel discussion. The film explores the beginnings of the AIDS epidemic and its lasting impact on long-term survivors. "When we started working in the community a number of years ago, it was a difficult task to talk about HIV/ AIDS and get information out there," said the president of Halton's AIDS Action Network, Marcus Logan. "There's been a small shift in the community." The latest statistics show about 307 people in Halton are infected with the immunodeficiency disease -- 212 with HIV and 95 with AIDS. But Logan says the number is likely a lot higher. "The thing is, people from Halton go to Toronto or Hamilton, sometimes Peel for their tests or to receive services." Logan said the shame associated with HIV/AIDS causes those infected to seek treatment outside their community. "Halton is very small and not a very friendly environment because of the stigma. People still think you can catch it by hugging somebody. When I talk about my work in HIV/AIDS, people step back or say, `Oh my God are you not afraid of catching AIDS.'" However, it's social support that most HIV/AIDS patients desire. "They want to be attached to a community," said Logan. Early this year, a small HIV/AIDS support group began meeting at one of the Region's health centres. Logan says often HIV/AIDS patients don't have a lot of resources and they're concerned about health and keeping healthy. He says it's easy for those living with the disease to become isolated, especially if they're unable See Hundreds page 3 `Par' None: Spring-like temperatures invaded Oakville this week, bringing blue skies and close to 20 degree Celsius weather Wednesday. Ben Sacerty took full advantage of the day with a round of golf at Deerfield Golf Club. Eric Riehl / OAKVILLE BEAVER