Fighting Aids One Shot at a Time

Imagine a world where your loved ones are battling a lethal, and often fatal, venom. Such a world shouldn’t exist but it does. According to Aids Vancouver, at the end of 2007, there were approximately 33 million people living with HIV in the world. Project Stitch, a campaign of AIDS Vancouver from 2006-2007, reported that on a global scale, 50 per cent of new HIV/AIDS infections occur in young people aged 15 to 24.

Hoops for Hope (H4H) is a global not-for-profit organization that specifically targets youth in South Africa to educate them about the challenges they face with HIV/AIDS. Through the use of sports, they equip youth with the confidence and knowledge needed to succeed.

H4H’s prominent event remains the Hoops for Hope Shoot-A-Thon, and many Surrey and Delta students will be holding Shoot-A-Thons around World Aids Day, December 1st.

At Seaquam Secondary, the school’s Solutions Society, a humanitarian student group, is organizing the event. “The Shoot-A-Thon is to raise awareness and make the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS on children and communities more real to the participants and supporters of H4H,” explains Aileen Wong, a member of the group. “Each participant aims towards shooting 1,000 hoops on behalf of the millions suffering from the impact of this disease.”

In addition to the 1,000 shots, funds will be raised via pledges and donations with all profits directly going to H4H programs in Africa.

Despite the daunting task of organizing such an event, the student group remains motivated. Through the H4H Shoot-A-Thon and raising awareness, these students are leading the way to change the lives of youth affected by this disease - one hoop at a time.