PHOTO BY MATT PREPROST Enlarge Image

Dr. Allan Ronald, pastor Brian Larmour and Myrna Ronald..

Allan Ronald has travelled to Africa more than 70 times to help the world better understand what makes the HIV/AIDS pandemic tick.

Dr. Ronald, one of the world’s leading HIV/AIDS specialists, will speak about HIV/AIDS and his work researching the disease at the Assiniboia-Charleswood Community Church on Mon., Feb. 20
"It’s a real crisis time," said Ronald, a Charleswood resident who has received the Order of Canada for his work. "We need to really get new HIV infections around the world to zero as quickly as possible."

According to World Health Organization statistics, nearly 35 million people live with AIDS around the world. In Canada, the number is about 70,000.

"My idea is to share a little bit of the history of HIV and what we know about it," he said.

"I don’t think most people are very aware of it."

In the 1980s, Ronald quickly built a profile that put him at the forefront of AIDS research, leading a partnership to establish the University of Manitoba/University of Nairobi World Health Organization Research and Training Program in Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

The project led to groundbreaking findings about the spread of AIDS and established the University of Manitoba as a leader in AIDS research. The project has since become known as the most important research site for HIV/AIDS in the world.

Studying how AIDS made the leap from animals to humans will likely provide answers to future diseases, Ronald said.

"It’s likely how other microbes will travel from animals to humans," he said.

"The answer’s going to take a lot of money and require a sustained commitment hopefully not only to learn about, but to limit this disease."

 Brian Larmour, church pastor, said hosting the event, which is open to all members of the community, is meant to broaden awareness and support of the issue, and put a spotlight on community members making a global difference in the world.

"It’s probably one of the most dire epidemics that’s ever afflicted humankind," Larmour said. "The number of people affected and could die from HIV/AIDS exceeds the population of Canada.

"You don’t do anything until you know about something."

Ronald is a member of the church’s congregation.

His wife, Myrna, will also speak of her work and will be selling African goods made by AIDS-affected women.

The Face of HIV/AIDs in Africa and Manitoba takes place Feb. 20 from 7 to 9 p.m. Dessert and coffee will be served afterwards. The church is located at 760 Charleswood Rd.

For more info, call 895-0608 or email office@charleswood.ca.

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matt.preprost@canstarnews.com