Annual Anfa R C Ep O R T
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CANFAR ANNU AL R E P O R T 2 019/2 020 CANFAR ANNUAL 2 REPORT 2019/2020 OUR MISSION HIV is now a preventable infection, yet the number of new cases only continues to climb with an estimated 63,050 people living with HIV in Canada. It’s estimated that six people newly acquire HIV each day - that’s nearly one person affected every four hours. The Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR) aims to end Canada’s HIV epidemic by leading national strategies to increase prevention, testing and linkage to care and to end HIV stigma. Fueled by fundraising, CANFAR supports research, builds awareness and cultivates partnerships. CANFAR ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020 3 A MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR Dear CANFAR community, As we mark the start of the of new infections continues to to sharply increase much- happen without the support COVID-19 pandemic, we must increase year over year in our needed testing (the availability of our dedicated employees also remember that other nation, and in many most-at- of anonymous home testing and our engaged Board great pandemic of our time risk populations. Addressing has been a proven tool in of Directors and Scientific that has claimed more than this reality is now central to driving HIV numbers down in Advisory Committee, working 36 million lives – HIV and CANFAR’s strategy and focus. other jurisdictions around the together with many supporters AIDS. Efforts by the Canadian world). Work also continues and partners. I extend my Foundation for AIDS Research That strategy is straight-forward: to ensure that Canadians sincere thanks to the team for (CANFAR) to create innovative 1. Greatly improve testing everywhere have access to their countless contributions. programming to support its to reach the 14 percent PrEP or PEP, according to mission of eradicating HIV/ of Canadians – often their needs and means. Most importantly, we give AIDS in Canada have not members of marginalised our heartfelt thanks to slowed down. communities – who are HIV Over the past year, CANFAR our community of donors. positive and do not know it. has grown its footprint Your ongoing support and In fact, there is encouraging nationally through several generosity allow us to work news as we remain on target 2. For those who test awareness campaigns and towards our vision of ending to lower new infection rates positive, ensure they programs, essential measures the HIV epidemic in Canada across Canada by up to 80 can access the best to ensuring the success of within five years. percent by 2025. possible care as quickly as our strategy. For example, possible, no matter where we reached more than If you haven’t already, please While CANFAR remains they live or who they are. 450,000 Canadian youth consider joining me to support committed to the research it 3. For those who test with HIV education initiatives. this movement to leave an has been funding for almost negative, but who may be By launching innovative AIDS-free world to future 35 years, its strategic focus vulnerable to HIV infection, campaigns and new generations. Simply put, that now is to put that research to provide access to pre- partnerships, we also initiated is our task. work to end the HIV pandemic exposure prophylactics conversations about HIV in this country. We have had (PrEP) or post-exposure stigma on the national stage many successes to date – prophylactics (PEP). that led to enhanced levels of HIV is now a widely treatable awareness and engagement infection and people with HIV To support this strategy, we in targeted communities. are living long and healthy have co-funded research lives. However, unlike other required for Health Canada’s Translating our vision of Andrew Pringle, CM developed nations where HIV imminent approval of self-test ending the HIV epidemic in Chair, is on the wane, the number kits in Canada, a key tool Canada into a reality cannot CANFAR Board of Directors CANFAR ANNUAL 4 REPORT 2019/2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Some of Canada’s foremost leaders in the financial, legal, and philanthropic sectors sit on CANFAR’s Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is responsible for establishing the mission, vision and direction of CANFAR, while representing the interests of the organization. CANFAR ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020 5 ANDREW PRINGLE, CM TRISTAN MICHELA MARIE HENEIN PAUL NOBLE BOARD CHAIR Executive Vice President, Senior Partner, Henein Vice-President, Deputy General RPIA (RP Investment Advisors) CANDEAL Hutchison LLP Counsel, BMO Capital Market CHRISTOPHER BUNTING DR. STANLEY READ, MD, PHD JONATHAN HICKS TONY PEDARI, CPA DEPUTY CHAIR Professors, Department of Communications Consultant Partner, Risk Assurance Paediatrics, University of Toronto Services, PwC PATTI MACNICOL ROBERT HOPPENHEIM VICE-CHAIR & TREASURER CASEY ANTOLAK Head of Brand, Strategy, JOHN PRATO Vice Principal, Administration, Vice President, Scotiabank Creative and Communications, Deputy Chair & Executive Upper Canada College Hoppenheim & Co. Managing Director, TD Securities WILLIAM FLANAGAN PATRICIA OLASKER President and Vice Chancellor of JEFFREY KROEKER REV. JEFF ROCK VICE-CHAIR & SECRETARY the University of Alberta Partner, Civis Law LLP Pastor, Metropolitan Community Partner, Davies Ward Phillip & Church of Toronto Vineberg LLP DR. MICHAEL GRANT, STEPHEN B. LEWIS PHD, MSC Chair, Stephen Lewis Foundation JAIME WATT CHARLES ARMSTRONG Chair, Scientific Advisory Executive Chairman, Navigator Ltd. Chair, Armstrong Fluid Committee, Professor of SYLVIA MANTELLA Technology Immunology, Associate Dean, Chief Marketing Officer, Mantella LEEANNE WELD KOSTOPOULOS BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Corporation Sales Representative, Royal LePage JERONIMO DE MIGUEL Medicine, Memorial University of Real Estate Services Ltd. Johnston Brand Strategist Newfoundland NOTISHA MASSAQUOI & Daniel Division, Brokerage Consultant CANFAR ANNUAL 6 REPORT 2019/2020 SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE CANFAR funds Canadian HIV/AIDS researchers who are selected by the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), based on the excellence of their proposals. As a committee, the SAC are ultimately responsible for selecting the most significant research projects from the many applications that they receive. CANFAR ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020 7 DR. MICHAEL GRANT, PhD DR. NORBERT GILMORE, DR. MONA LOUTFY, CHAIR Professor, Immunology, MD, PhD MD, MPH, FRCPC CANFAR STAFF Division of BioMedical Sciences, Professor, Medicine (Emeritus), Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial McGill University; Senior Department of Medicine, ALEX FILIATRAULT University of Newfoundland Physician, McGill University University of Toronto; Scientist, Chief Executive Officer Health Centre Women’s College Research DR. STANLEY READ, Institute; Staff Physician, MD, PhD, FRCPC DR. DANIEL GRACE, MA, PhD Women’s College Hospital JOAN SMART CO-CHAIR Professor of Pediatrics, Canada Research Chair in Senior Manager of University of Toronto, The Hospital Sexual and Gender Minority DR. PAUL SANDSTROM, PhD Finance and Operations for Sick Children; Consultant Health; Assistant Professor, Dalla Director, National HIV & HIV/AIDS Family Centered Care Lana School of Public Health, Retrovirology Laboratories, Program Division for Infectious University of Toronto; JC Wilt Infectious Diseases ROXANNE MA Diseases, Department of Research Centre, PHAC Senior Manager Pediatrics, University of Toronto DR. TREVOR HART, PhD, C. PSYCH of National Youth DR. LISA BARRETT, Ontario HIV Treatment Network DR. CÉCILE TREMBLAY, Awareness Programs MD, PhD, FRCPC Applied HIV Research Chair in MD, FRCPC Assistant Professor, Gay and Bisexual Men’s Health, Professeure, Titulaire de Dalhousie University Professor and Director, HIV la Chaire de Recherche LOGAN THAYALAN Prevention Lab, Department of Translationelle en VIH Pfizer/ Senior Manager of DR. ALAN COCHRANE, PhD Psychology, Ryerson University Universite de Montreal, Events and Stewardship Professor, Department of Department de Microbiologie, Molecular Genetics, University of DR. MICHAEL HAWKES, Immunologie et Infectiologie, Toronto MD, PhD Universite de Montreal JESSICA GAGNON Assistant Professor, Department Manager of Graphic DR. EVAN COLLINS, of Pediatrics, University of Alberta DR. SHARON WALMSLEY, MD, FRCPC MD, MSC, FRCPC Design and Marketing Professor, Department of DR. CHEN LIANG, PhD Professor of Medicine, University Psychiatry, University of Toronto; Professor, Department of of Toronto; Director of Clinical Psychiatrist Medicine, McGill University; Research, Immunodeficiency CANDICE ZHANG Interim Director, McGill AIDS Clinic, Toronto Hospital, UHN; Assistant Manager of DR. HÉLÈNE CÔTÉ, PhD Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish Senior Scientist, Toronto Hospital Finance and Operations Professor, Department of General Hospital, McGill University Research Institute; Co-Chair of the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, CIHR-Canadian HIV Trials Network University of British Columbia CANFAR ANNUAL 8 REPORT 2019/2020 CURRENT RESEARCH ON-GOING RESEARCH Title: 2019 CANFAR/CTN Postdoctoral Fellow Funding: $50,000 CANFAR Grant Lead: Dr. Elisabeth McClymont Time Frame: On-going since 1992 Description: An undergraduate course, “The Global HIV/AIDS Epidemic”, enthralled Elisabeth with the multifaceted nature of the HIV epidemic. During her time as a postdoctoral fellow with the CTN, Dr. McClymont will be investigating cytomegalovirus (CMV) transmission among women living with HIV and their children. CMV is one of the most common viral infections, present in an estimated 40-100% of people worldwide. In those with compromised immune systems (uncontrolled