Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR)

In a personal reflection, CANFAR National Ambassador Matt Hyams shares his journey in grassroots advocacy, explores the importance of access to PrEP, and pays tribute to his late friend Michael Fanous, whose work as a pharmacist and activist helped expand access to PrEP through patience, compassion, and unwavering dedication to community care.

What does meaningful HIV advocacy look like, and who are the people behind the progress we've made?

Read the full blog on the CANFAR website: https://canfar.com/matt-hyams-on-prep-purpose-and-the-friends-who-changed-everything/

🌈 Pride Toronto is almost here—and we want YOU to walk with us.

For nearly 40 years, CANFAR has stood alongside communities impacted by HIV, fighting for a future rooted in equity, dignity, research, and care. Pride is a celebration, but it’s also a reminder of the power of community, advocacy, and showing up for one another.

This year, we’ll be marching through the streets of Toronto to celebrate 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, honour those who've fought before us and those we’ve lost, support people living with HIV, and continue pushing for a world free from stigma.

Whether you’ve marched with us before or it’s your first Pride Parade, we’d love to have you join the .

📍 Toronto Pride Parade
📅 Sunday, June 28
🕒 Meet on the 9th Floor, W Hotel Toronto at 12:30 PM

Bring your friends, your flags, and your Pride spirit — let’s show up together.

RSVP: https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=e515bfa8-2639-41b6-8941-63bf7beb994a&envId=p-mqxrU46Fmk68rklrGE6K8A&zone=can

What does it mean to have HIV resources created by Indigenous people, for Indigenous communities?

That question is at the heart of Starting Home Fires, a new campaign launched during National Indigenous History Month, led by the Community-Based Research Centre - CBRC's Two-Spirit Program and supported by CATIE & CANFAR that was recently featured by APTN National News.

Through eight short films and three audio stories, Starting Home Fires shares Indigenous perspectives on HIV testing, treatment, prevention, and care—creating space for learning, conversation, and connection.

In the segment, Laverne Gervais of Ka Ni Kanichihk and Lane Bonertz of CBRC discuss the importance of Indigenous-led HIV education and how storytelling can help strengthen knowledge, challenge misconceptions, and support community wellbeing.

As Lane shared, "Honest and open conversations are how we challenge stigma and misinformation."

Watch the APTN News segment and learn more about Starting Home Fires at startinghomefires.ca.

Starting Home Fires was created with support from CATIE and CANFAR, with campaign development led in partnership with Saltmedia and CIA Solutions. Funding for the project was provided by CANFAR, the Public Health Agency of Canada, Gilead Sciences Canada, Merck Canada, the Community-Based Research Centre, and the Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN).

https://www.aptnnews.ca/videos/awareness-campaign-hopes-to-reduce-stigma-around-hiv-through-an-indigenous-lens/

Awareness campaign hopes to reduce stigma around HIV through an Indigenous lens - APTN News HIV is disproportionately impacting Indigenous communities across Canada, says the Canadian Institutes of Health Research....

Allumer des feux sacrés | Ressources sur le VIH à l’intention des Autochtones La campagne Allumer des feux sacrés cherche à susciter la conversation sur la transmission, la prévention et le traitement du VIH. Dans les communautés autochtones, Aîné·e·s, proches et ami·e·s ont chacun·e un rôle à jouer pour promouvoir le bien-être et combattre la stigmatisation li....

Starting Home Fires | HIV resources for Indigenous people Starting Home Fires is a way to ignite the conversation around HIV transmission, prevention and treatment. As Indigenous people - Elders, relatives, and friends - we all have a role in supporting wellness and challenging stigma around HIV.

We are incredibly grateful to be one of the charitable partners of LCBO’s annual Love Pairs With Everything Pride campaign for the third consecutive year - alongside Egale Canada, Rainbow Railroad, Casey House Toronto & The 519! 🌈🥂

This Pride Month, from June 11–30, add a donation at checkout to your local LCBO store to support our five organizations and make a meaningful difference in the lives of 2SLGBTQIA+ people across Ontario.

At CANFAR, LCBO's partnership helps us reach communities that continue to face systemic barriers to HIV prevention, testing, care, and support. Through the Spirit of Sustainability program, LCBO has helped fund initiatives that expand access to HIV self-testing, increase sexual health education for young people through sexfluent.ca, and support community-based programs designed to reach populations who have not equally benefited from the progress made in HIV prevention and care.

This is what meaningful corporate partnership looks like: investing in community-led solutions, supporting health equity, and helping ensure no one is left behind.

To the entire LCBO team, thank you for your continued leadership, generosity, and commitment to creating healthier, more inclusive communities. Your support extends far beyond Pride Month, helping advance HIV research, expand access to education and testing, and strengthen programs that connect people to the care, knowledge, and resources they need.

And to everyone who chooses to donate while shopping this June: thank you. Every contribution helps create a future where everyone living with or affected by HIV in Ontario has the opportunity to thrive.