Mr. Speaker, recently HIV Edmonton staged its 18th annual AIDS Walk for Life. I was very proud to support this event, as I have done for the past four years.
Over 400 walkers came to show their support and over 100 volunteers helped organize this tremendous event. The walk raised over $120,000. Monies raised will fund local HIV-AIDS charities that provide support, outreach, education and prevention services across the Edmonton region.
We must continue to fund HIV-AIDS research and find a cure for those affected by this disease. Recently, we saw some good news on this front with vaccine trials in Thailand showing promising results. However, there is still much work to be done.
I am proud to be part of a government that has made the largest investment in HIV-AIDS research in Canada's history. I plan on walking every year that I can until this disease is cured.
I congratulate HIV Edmonton and organizers in the many other cities who have taken up this challenge.