The Dr. Peter Centre is Open 7 Days a Week!

On Saturday December 4th, just three days after World AIDS Day, the Dr. Peter Centre will start weekend service for its Day Health Program. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor and the Provincial Government, the Dr. Peter Centre has the funding to provide programming on Saturdays and Sundays for the next three years. The funding was announced at the Life Commitment Dinner, inspiring many guests to support the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation with their gifts.

Since opening its doors in 1997, the Dr. Peter Centre’s Day Health Program has provided innovative programs and services to people with HIV/AIDS who are in need. Today, over 320 registered participants access a wide range of clinical services and supports including specialized nursing, nutrient-dense meals, art and music therapy and HIV/AIDS medication management.

For the first time in the Centre’s history, Day Health participants will now have treatment services seven days a week. Weekend service will also increase the overall number of participants at the Dr. Peter Centre throughout the week by as much as 14%.

“It’s more than just two extra days of care,” according to Rosalind Baltzer Turje, the Dr. Peter Centre’s Director of Operations. “We see people come here on Monday mornings and they’ve lost ground. To fully engage people in their treatment, you need that continuous care.”  

For Executive Director, Maxine Davis, weekend service puts the Dr. Peter Centre fully in step with STOP HIV/AIDS, a collaborative initiative of the BC Government and BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS. “The first goal is access to treatment, but then you need people to stay engaged in their treatment. At the Centre, we have a highly effective model to engage people – daily service betters our chances of retaining people in treatment for the long term.”

“We are deeply grateful to the anonymous donor who made such a significant gift”, says Davis. “This donor’s generosity allowed us to approach the Provincial Government for matching funds and they graciously agreed.”

Summing up his gratitude upon hearing the news, Murray, a Day Health participant at the Centre, perhaps said it best: “It’s awesome! Now I can come here every day – and that will make a huge difference in my life.”

Delivering the Day Health Program seven days per week at the Dr. Peter Centre will increase our needs across the spectrum of care. Please give generously to help sustain funding for our innovative programs that provide continuity of care through individualized and effective services for our clients.