Voices of Hope / Voix D'Espoir

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Thank you for helping us remember the people we've lost to HIV/AIDS, as well as celebrating the ongoing lives of those who continue to fight the disease.

“Voices of Hope / Voix D’Espoir” was a truly national event marking World AIDS Day in Canada.

The Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation (Vancouver), Casey House (Toronto) and La Maison du Parc (Montréal) coordinated concerts between November 28 – December 1, 2008. The concerts were an opportunity to raise public awareness about HIV/AIDS and prevention, to honour the lives that have been lost around the world, and to call for increased support and dignity for all people who experience ongoing stigma and discrimination because of their disease.

HIV/AIDS is a fight that is far from over in Canada: approximately every 2 hours, someone in Canada is infected with HIV/AIDS.

Toronto's concert took place at the historic Metropolitan United Church, heralded by a 54-bell carillon performance. Attendees took in gorgeous musical performances by the Royal Conservatory Academy Orchestra, the Metropolitan Silver Band, Forte: The Toronto Men's Chorus, pyrotechnic electric violinist Dr Draw , the Dixon Hall Music School and the Toronto Children's Chorus with Dr. Patricia Wright on one of Canada’s largest pipe organs. Quilts created in memory of the people who have died at Casey House over its 20-year history draped the church interior, as did a living quilt created by current residents. At the evening's close, the gathered community enjoyed a candlelight carillon concert and hot cider in the courtyard.

Thank you for joining us.