Page 38 - 201311 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - November 2012

$-8<3+,+74 #/-8173A/; (8:5. $B +@ Scotiabank Recognizes World AIDS Day TORONTO, Dec. 1, 2012 /CNW/ - As Canada's most international bank, Scotiabank today recognized World AIDS Day as part of its commitment to raise awareness about a disease affecting men, women and children across Canada and around the world. "Scotiabank has been a longstanding and active participant in efforts to support people affected by HIV/AIDS and raise awareness about this terrible disease," said Kaz Flinn, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility for Scotiabank. "I am proud of the contribution that Scotiabankers in Canada have made this year to AIDS service organizations across the country through the Bike Rally," said Murray Jose, Executive Scotiabank will continue to strengthen and Scotiabank Bright Future philanthropic Director of Toronto People With AIDS (PWA) implement workplace best practices in its program." Foundation. "The Bank has demonstrated real offices and branches. With more than 81,000 employees in more than 55 countries commitment for the cause by providing the In 2012, some of Scotiabank's HIV/AIDS contributions in Canada included: long-term stability necessary to execute this worldwide, Scotiabank is in a unique position to • Scotiabankers raised $36,000 through logistically-complex event year after year. Their combat stigma and discrimination surrounding participation in the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for support has also added credibility and therefore HIV/AIDS. 2. Promoting Awareness and Education: Life. Overall, the 2012 Walk collected attracted additional sponsors and over 13,000 Scotiabank will continue its work in promoting individual donors each year. This translates into approximately $1.5 million in funds and since 1996 has raised about $38 million in support of vital support for PWA and enables us to better awareness and education on HIV/AIDS and community-based AIDS organizations across meet the needs of men, women and children seek out new initiatives with a particular focus Canada. The 2012 Walk attracted more than living with HIV-AIDS." on children and youth. 8,000 walkers, participants and spectators at 47 Internationally, Scotiabank is a proud 3. Contributing Donations and Walk events organized across the country. supporter of the Regional HIV/AIDS Testing Volunteering: Scotiabank will continue to • Within its workforce, the Scotiabank Day program. This year the program had more promote and leverage the work of local Pride Employee Resource Group helps foster an participants than ever before as Scotiabank grassroots organizations, employee volunteer inclusive environment where employees and hosted clinics across 17 countries that provided initiatives and in-kind contributions in countries customers of the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, access to confidential testing and counseling for around the world through its Global Bright transgender (LGBT) community and their allies more than 13,000 people. Future Program. feel safe, valued & respected. In September, the Scotiabank's support of local and To find out more about Scotiabank's Group organized a panel discussion with regional initiatives to raise awareness of the Global HIV/AIDS Strategy and other Corporate visit Responsibility initiatives disease is a key component of the Bank's Global Social Scotiabank leaders to talk about the value of allies and showcase the "You Can Play" HIV/AIDS Strategy aimed at addressing this www.scotiabank.com/csr. Foundation, aimed at ensuring equality, respect life-threatening disease. and safety for all athletes without regard to "Scotiabank has been supporting About Scotiabank sexual orientation in professional and amateur HIV/AIDS initiatives since 2001 and that led to sport. the development of our Global HIV/AIDS Scotiabank is committed to supporting the • Scotiabank, for the fifth year in a row, Strategy in 2011," said Ms. Flinn. "Our strategy communities in which we live and work, both in was the presenting sponsor of the Friends for on HIV/AIDS and supporting pillars builds on Canada and abroad, through our global Life Bike Rally, a Toronto-to-Montreal cycling the good work that has already been done across philanthropic program, Scotiabank Bright event which raises money for the Toronto our network through the Scotiabank Bright Future. Recognized as a leader internationally People with AIDS Foundation, Canada's largest Future program. It also underscores and among Canadian corporations for our direct provider of services and support to men, Scotiabank's commitment to the United Nations charitable donations and philanthropic women and children living with HIV/AIDS. Global Compact and more specifically, the UN's activities, Scotiabank has provided on average Millennium Development goal on combating The 2012 event involved 400 cyclists and crew approximately $45 million annually to and raised $1.3 million. Since its inception in HIV/AIDS." community causes around the world over each 1999 the Rally has raised $10.4 million. Scotiabank's Global HIV-AIDS Strategy of the last five years. Visit the Scotiabank at "We are very pleased to have Scotiabank is formed around three pillars: www.scotiabank.com. [] as the presenting sponsor of the Friends for Life 1. Fighting Stigma and Discrimination: