Farha Foundation Honorary President Pleads to Take Action and Help Raise $15,000 for AIDS

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Aug. 18, 2009) - Honorary President, Evelyn Farha, and mother of Farha Foundation founder, Ron Farha, is pleading to citizens for their attention and involvement in this year's CA MARCHE (www.camarche.ca) AIDS fundraising walk. The 83-year-old grandmother, who will participate again in the annual 7 kilometers walk on September 20, hopes to inspire increased participation in the walk and alert people to the current realities of HIV-AIDS.

"People don't seem to realize that we are not winning the fight against HIV-AIDS, and to that end, I challenge everyone to help me help those 20,000 Quebecers living with this disease live a more dignified life. Proceeds of the walk will also go to fund prevention and education programs that are so badly needed," said Mrs. Farha.

"Every day the epidemic in Quebec is getting worse and improved treatments coupled with increasing rates of new victims mean more people are living with HIV-AIDS than ever before. The increased need for services, combined with a decreased sensitization among the public, is straining the support systems that service those living with HIV-AIDS."

Evelyn has set a goal of $15,000 and hopes to exceed it. Click on this link to sponsor her: http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?EventID=28511&LangPref=en-CA&Regist...

Note to MEDIA:

Effective immediately, the Farha Foundation can offer advance interviews with Mrs. Farha who can speak about her story and why the Foundation was created.

About CA MARCHE - www.camarche.ca

The 17th edition of CA MARCHE will take place on Sunday, September 20, 2009 at Emilie-Gamelin Park (corner St-Catherine East St & St-Hubert St, Metro Berri UQAM) in Montreal, Quebec. The walk starts at 10.30am and ends at starting point at 12.30pm after a 7kms route in downtown Montreal.

About the Farha Foundation

The Farha Foundation is Quebec's leading AIDS fundraising organization, committed to help men, women and children living with HIV and AIDS. The events organized by the Farha Foundation also serve to sensitize the population to the AIDS epidemic.

Since 1992, the Farha Foundation has distributed close to $8 million to some 70 AIDS organizations throughout Quebec providing care and services (housing, medication, food, palliative care, counselling, homecare, etc.) as well as AIDS prevention and education programs. A volunteer advisory committee screens which organizations the Foundation funds, and then follows up to ensure the funds are being put to the best possible use.

Many thanks to our sponsors:

Platinium Sponsors: BMS Virologie;

Gold Sponsors: CTV, Gilead, Merck Frosst, Pfizer, la Ville de Montreal;

Silver Sponsors: 98.5fm, CKAC Sports, CKOI, Corus Quebec, Fugues, Info690, Le Devoir, Metromedia Plus, Musique Plus, Musimax, Naya, Nouvelles Parc Extension, Q92, RiceWorks, The Laval News, The North Shore News, Theratechnologies;

Bronze Sponsors: Zenergy Communications, Quebec Gay Listing.com, Equinox Graphics, Marketwire.