Message from the Chair & Executive Director

2010 was an extraordinary year for the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation. It marked the 20th anniversary of the first Dr. Peter Diary on CBC Television. There was an overwhelmingly positive public response to the re-airing of Peter’s Diaries and the stories of care at the Dr. Peter Centre.

The response of one individual was transformational. We realized a long-standing goal to launch weekend service in our day health program. An anonymous donor gifted approximately half of the three-year cost and the Province of British Columbia matched it. The incredible impact of uninterrupted care seven days a week continues to unfold.

Because the Dr. Peter Centre successfully engages individuals with multiple vulnerabilities in addition to HIV/AIDS, two days a week without care and support takes its toll. With weekend service, clients no longer arrive Monday mornings after experiencing a weekend of hunger, health deterioration, isolation, and missed medications.

It is also opening the door to increasing the number of individuals who can attend the day health program. Recent research shows that people who maintain uninterrupted HIV treatment are nearly 96% less likely to transmit the HIV virus. We are in discussion with Vancouver Coastal Health and Providence Health Care for STOP AIDS funding so we can admit additional new clients needing help with achieving uninterrupted treatment.

Seven days a week service has also opened the door for us to explore with Vancouver Coastal Health enhanced supportive housing near the Dr. Peter Centre for clients ready to move out of our specialized nursing care residence.

Our strategic goals include maximizing the reach of the Dr. Peter Centre’s services in our local community and extending the reach of our learned experience in our global community.

Thanks to you, our funders, supporters and champions, our vision is becoming reality and our impact is ever-increasing. We are so very grateful for your support.

 
JOHN deC. EVANS
Chair, Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation

MAXINE DAVIS
Executive Director, Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation