Monthly Archives: November 2015

Asian Community AIDS Services calls for Public Support to  Fast-Track to End AIDS with Red Ribbon on the Rocket on World AIDS Day    Asian Community AIDS Services (ACAS) calls on all Torontonians to show their support to Fast-Track to End AIDS (UNAIDS, 2015) with our Red Ribbon on the Rocket campaign on Monday, November 30, 2015, the day before World AIDS Day at various TTC stations. We encourage all to join us this year to show support and commitment to end AIDS and HIV stigma. To raise awareness about HIV and AIDS, ACAS staff and volunteers will be handing out information pamphlets & red ribbons to TTC riders at at Wellesley, Osgoode, St. Andrew, and St. Patrick stations on World AIDS Day eve, Monday, November 30 2015, between 4:00 pm – 6:30pm. Fast-Track to End AIDS is UNAIDS’ theme for World AIDS Day this year, an approach which calls for a focus on the locations, populations and programs that deliver the greatest impact; standing firm on the protection of human rights; and ensuring that leave no one behind. Although working toward an end to HIV/AIDS within the Asian community often continues to be a struggle, ACAS continues to organize concerted community efforts in addressing these on-going challenges. Many community members often do not access information and services for their protection or survival as many still see HIV/AIDS as a taboo subject or feel HIV is an illness that warrants fear or shame. In addition, HIV-stigma continues to negatively impact people of colour; immigrants and refugees; gays, lesbians and trans persons; youth; women; people who use substances; and sex workers---community members whom we serve on a daily basis. On December 1, 1994, Asian Community AIDS Services (ACSAS) was formed when Gay Asians Toronto’s Gay Asian AIDS Project, SEAS Centre’s Vietnamese AIDS [...]

As ACAS wraps up the last month of our 20th Anniversary, we would like to share with you our final #ACASturns20 write-up: A special our tribute by ACAS co-founder and Founding President, Dr. Alan Li, to fellow ACAS co-founder and trailblazer for Asians living with HIV in Toronto, Dr. Kirby Hsu.    

October 2015 has proven to be an especially important and busy month for ACAS. Read on to find out why…   ACAS 2015 Annual General Meeting The ACAS 2015 Annual General Meeting took place on Friday, October 23, 2015. We would like to especially thank our outgoing board members Giovanni Temansja, Joel Tran Bansil, Agnes Tong, Emily Hao, and Gerson Mobo for their time and commitment to our organization this past year. Highlights of the evening included a tribute to ACAS co-founder, the late Dr. Kirby Hsu, by fellow ACAS co-founder Dr. Alan Li. The evening also saw the recognition of our most dedicated volunteers and Team CelebrAsian who helped us raised over $10,000 this past year. We would also like to welcome our new vibrant team of Board of Directors.   ACAS raises $24,172 at the 2015 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Half Marathon and 5k Charity Challenge! Thanks to our team of 32 runners and walkers and our generous donors, ACAS has surpassed our $20,000 fundraising goal and raised a total of $24,172!!! With seven teams competing to raise the highest amount of funds this year, Team CelebrAsian once again raised the most amount of money two years in a row, with a total of $10.400! Our fastest runners at this year’s 5k race are Henry Luyombya with a time of 22’46”, and Anthony Ku Ong with a time of 23’14”. Our fastest staff runner is Christian Hui with a time of 25’17”. On behalf of the ACAS board and staff team, we would like to thank you for supporting ACAS.  Your contributions ensure that we can continue to provide quality services for East and Southeast Asians living with HIV as well as LGBTQ youths in the Greater Toronto Area.    Dine for ACAS at Fabulous Feast – Thai [...]