RED RIBBON CAMPAIGN®
World AIDS Day 2009 was CANFAR’s biggest yet. First, thank you to all volunteers who made this possible. We fundraised over $10,000 and, most importantly, raised considerable awareness of HIV/AIDS and the need for more research.
WORLD AIDS DAY 2009
Early in the morning on Dec 1st, our passionate staff and volunteers fanned out across Toronto. Their mission: to distribute 100,000 Red Ribbons across the city. Teams of friendly volunteers spent the day posted in high-traffic locations, handing out bright Red Ribbons to passers-by and collecting donations. CANFAR staff stayed busy throughout the day collecting full donation cans from teams around town.
Once 6pm arrived, everyone headed to the el Mocambo for a fabulous wrap-up party. Ribbon teams, energized from the day’s success, feasted on complimentary pizza and beverages, and danced to music from a local DJ and a high-energy band. GOALS
2009’s success allows us to confidently pursue our ambitious goal of One Million Red Ribbons across Canada in 2010. We will accomplish this through different distribution channels:
• Volunteer Ribbon teams across the country
• Mobile giving—text to make a donation to CANFAR and receive a virtual red ribbon
• Social media initiatives
• Engaging corporate sponsors with community involvement opportunities
WHAT IT MEANS
Red Ribbons are a message of support and memory for people affected by HIV/AIDS. They promote greater awareness of HIV/AIDS issues - and support the search for a cure.
The Red Ribbon Campaign® remains important and timely. The number of Canadians living with HIV/AIDS is still growing – and a quarter of these people are unaware that they are HIV-positive. World AIDS Day and the Red Ribbon Campaign® encourage Canadians to be both informed and integral in finding a sustainable end to the AIDS pandemic.
In Canada, 50 to 60 per cent of grade nine students wrongly believe there is a cure for AIDS. Statistics like these highlight that now, more than ever, CANFAR’s fundraising and educational initiatives are necessary for the health and well-being of Canadians.
MOBILE RED RIBBONS
For the first time ever, CANFAR has also made mobile red ribbons available.
Mobile phone users are able to text RIBBON to 30333 to receive this year’s mobile ribbon. A $5 donation to CANFAR will be added to the recipient’s phone bill. CANFAR is amongst the first charities in Canada to make use of this cutting-edge mobile giving technology.
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