Regional HIV AIDS Connection

10/08/2026

***anDay celebrates the diversity, love, and history of le***an communities. During the early years of the AIDS crisis, le***ans stepped in to provide the care and compassion that was largely denied to people living with HIV and dying from AIDS-related illnesses. They organized blood drives, mobilized as activists and fundraisers, and provided frontline care as health professionals and volunteers. Le****ns transformed HIV care and q***r activism at a time when many were turning their backs on those impacted by the early AIDS epidemic.

Le***an activists and educators have played a pivotal role in drawing attention to the specific impacts of HIV on women—which has often been overlooked. It was not until 1992 that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control would expand its case definition of AIDS to include women. However, by 2002, women would make up half of the global population living with HIV/AIDS (Source: CATIE).

The courage and compassion of le***an communities have long proven how love and solidarity can lead positive change. Today, their leadership continues to shape the future and history of HIV care and advocacy.

10/08/2026

This November, RHAC’s Red Scarf benefit concert is returning to raise awareness and end the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. In celebration of its 10th anniversary, take a look back at our very first benefit concert in 2016 featuring Dr. Jully Black-Valentine! To learn more about Red Scarf and get tickets for this year’s concert, visit: redscarf.ca

10/07/2026

Support without stigma since 1985: For over 40 years, Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (RHAC) has been providing essential services and supportive programs for individuals impacted by HIV and hepatitis C. Whether it’s testing and treatment options or community connections, we’re here for your health. Learn more at hivaidsconnection.ca

09/29/2026

This Wednesday, September 30 is National Day for Truth + Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. With the exception of John Gordon Home, RHAC will be closed on Wednesday. We encourage community members to wear orange and to engage in opportunities to foster learning, healing, and meaningful action.

RHAC joins community in honouring the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis survivors of the residential school system, their communities and families, and the children who never returned home. If you, or anyone you know, needs support: The Residential School Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day to individuals affected by the residential school system at 1.866.925.4419. The Hope for Wellness Helpline is available 24/7 at 1.855.242.3310 or hopeforwellness.ca.

RHAC acknowledges the regions we serve as the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak, and Chonnonton Nations on lands connected with the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796 and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum. The three First Nations communities closest in proximity to this agency are: Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, Oneida Nation of the Thames, and Munsee-Delaware Nation. This land is home to diverse Indigenous Peoples whom we recognize as contemporary stewards of the land and leaders in the response to HIV and related health inequities. RHAC recognizes historical and ongoing injustices as we remain committed to Truth and Reconciliation.

Explore Indigenous community resources related to HIV with OAHAS and CAAN Communities, Alliances & Networks. You can also watch “Strong Medicine,” an educational video, developed by CAAN and CATIE, with and for Indigenous people living with HIV at: catie.ca/strongmedicine

09/28/2026

CHOIR! CHOIR! CHOIR! is coming to Centennial Hall on Sunday, November 15 in support of Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (RHAC)! Get your tickets now at: RedScarf.ca

This year, the 10th annual Red Scarf benefit concert is bringing community back together for a night louder than stigma in proud support of RHAC’s programs and services.

LANDSLIDE: An Epic Fleetwood Mac Sing-Along! is a fully interactive show for the whole family. CHOIR! CHOIR! CHOIR! puts on a show that turns the audience into performers: They teach, you sing! So, gather your friends and family to sing along to Fleetwood Mac and celebrate the 10th anniversary of Red Scarf ahead of World AIDS Day!

Sunday, November 15, 2026

09/27/2026

Today is National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

Anyone can acquire HIV, regardless of gender or s*xual orientation. Some communities are impacted by HIV even more because of health inequities. In 2022, gay and bis*xual guys, and men who have s*x with men, represented 53.6% of people living with HIV in Canada (Source: CATIE).

Queerness does not cause or increase HIV risk. Community-led responses to HIV by q***r people have actually increased access to treatment and prevention for everyone. It remains important for guys who are into guys to know their testing and prevention options, and for everyone to challenge homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia as barriers to community health.

Connect with our Men’s Sexual Health Outreach Coordinator, Donavon Trice (he/they), to learn more about prevention, testing, and treatment options at [email protected] or 226.376.5544.

09/21/2026

Our brand new website is here! Visit us at: hivaidsconnection.ca

Designed by sagecomm, the update to RHAC’s website was supported with funding from a $35,000 Seed grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).

“This OTF grant is critical to enhancing our presence and mission delivery in the communities we serve,” announced RHAC’s Interim Executive Director earlier this month.

“RHAC’s website welcomes up to 40,000 visits per year and represents a critical access point for new and returning clients. After 40 years of serving our community, RHAC recognized that it was time for our brand and website to evolve. Thanks to OTF and our partners at sagecomm, RHAC’s updated brand and web presence will improve how we can reach diverse communities, communicate important health messaging, and connect clients to more accessible and culturally relevant supports both on- and off-line.”

09/18/2026

On Tuesday, RHAC volunteer Fred Lush was honoured at the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards. With London North Centre MPP Terence Kernaghan present, Fred received his 30 year service award! RHAC is thrilled to celebrate this incredible milestone. We are deeply grateful to Fred for his decades of service.

Thank you to Ministry of Citizenship & Multiculturalism for celebrating Ontario’s dedicated volunteers!

09/18/2026

People living with HIV are growing older and living longer than ever before.

Thanks to effective treatment, individuals living with HIV can lead long, healthy lives without passing the virus on.

Effective HIV treatment was not available in Canada until 1996. Before that, most people were not expected to live much longer than 10 years from the time they acquired HIV.*

Today, studies show that people who are HIV-positive with access to treatment and care can have a life expectancy similar to individuals who are HIV-negative.*

Aging is an increasingly important topic for people living with HIV. In Canada, up to 50 percent of people living with HIV are estimated to be older than 50. Some people have been living with HIV for a long time, while others were diagnosed later in life. People over the age of 50 represent roughly 1 in 5 new HIV diagnoses in Canada.*

Healthy aging is possible with HIV. With the right supports, people can still look forward to leading fulfilling lives following diagnosis. On National HIV + Aging Awareness Day, we acknowledge the joys and challenges of aging with HIV. Improving health outcomes and quality of life for people living with HIV is how we honour those who never had the chance to grow older.

* Source: CATIE

09/15/2026

We are pleased to announce Lenny Emson (he/him) as the next Executive Director of Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (RHAC).

Lenny brings extensive experience in HIV prevention and services, health equity, social justice, community health, human rights advocacy, and nonprofit governance. Over the past decade, Lenny has held senior leadership roles in Canada and internationally, leading organizations and initiatives focused on supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ people, refugees, and newcomer communities, strengthening community-based services, and advancing organizational growth and sustainability.

Lenny’s work has helped build more resilient, inclusive community organizations. His leadership has included sustaining vital humanitarian and community services for LGBTQI+ people during the full-scale war in Ukraine, strengthening an international movement of more than 200 trans organizations in Europe, and supporting LGBTQI+ refugees and community services in Canada’s National Capital Region. Across these experiences, Lenny has focused on building strong organizations, connecting communities and movements, and turning advocacy into practical, sustainable services and support.

“I am truly excited to begin this new chapter of my professional journey and, most importantly, to become part of a community that is so diverse, vibrant, and committed to making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. I look forward to bringing my experience, energy, and commitment to this work, while learning from the community and from the incredible people I will have the privilege of working with. I believe that when we bring people together around a shared commitment to dignity, health, equity, and belonging, we can create lasting and meaningful change.”

Lenny will officially step into his role as RHAC’s Executive Director on Monday, October 12. Please join us in welcoming Lenny Emson to RHAC!