Treatment Information Programs & Services

• Treatment Information Peer Counseling
• Local Outreach
• Complementary & Alternative Therapy Info & Services
• Treatment Publications
• Treatment Links
• Retro Woman: Treatment Information for Women
• Treatment Information BLOG
• How to Get Involved

Treatment Information Peer Counseling

BCPWA Society provides accurate, up-to-date information to people with HIV/AIDS, their friends and family, health care workers, other AIDS organizations, and students.

The Treatment Information Program has a wide variety of resources on treatments and therapies for HIV disease. Resources are available on-site at our Treatment Information Program office or we can forward information to you by regular mail or email if you are unable to visit us in person.

Office Hours: Weekdays:10:00am - 4:00pm
Location: Treatment Office, 1107 Seymour Street, Vancouver
Toll Free: 1.800.994.2437
Phone: 604.893.2243
Email: treatment@bcpwa.org

BCPWA Society gratefully acknowledges the support of the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch of the Provincial Government for the Treatment Peer Counselling Program.

British Columbia Treatment Information Hotline:
We offer a toll-free HIV/AIDS Treatment Information and Peer Counselling resource line run by and for HIV positive individuals. The line is staffed weekdays from 10:00am - 5:00pm. English, French and Spanish services are. If after hours, please leave messages indicating if you want your call returned. Information packages will be mailed out to you upon request.

Toll Free:1.800.994.2437
Vancouver: 604.893.2243

Local Outreach

We organize community forums in the Lower Mainland that focus on treatment issues. A community forum is a free HIV-related presentation and discussion for HIV-positive British Columbians, healthcare providers and other interested individuals.

Forums provide an opportunity for the audience to ask questions to our experts. Some presentations have focused on lipodystrophy, structured treatment interruptions and depression, etc.

We are also available for community fairs and information booths.

If you would like to be added to our email list to find out about upcoming community forums or if you have a topic idea for a forum:

Telephone: 604.893.2243
Email: treatment@bcpwa.org

Complementary & Alternative Therapy Services

In Canada today, Western or conventional medicine is the dominant system of healthcare. For centuries many other systems and therapies have been used. These other practices are collectively known as complementary and alternative medicine.

Complementary medicine can be used together with Western medicine. For example, you could use acupuncture or herbs to alleviate some of the side effects of antiretroviral drugs.

Alternative medicine is used instead of Western medicine. Meditation, yoga, massage, or dietary supplementation, for example, may be used instead of drugs to relieve depression.

BCPWA Society encourages HIV-positive individuals to educate themselves on different approaches to wellness.

BCPWA Society is pleased to offer the following services:

Reiki: Reiki is a Japanese holistic, light touch, energy based treatment. Through a series of hand positions either directly on or just above the body, the practitioner allows the flow of energy through their body. The client's body then draws off the amount of energy that is required.

Treatment Publications

[ Antiretroviral Therapy in Women ] - Provides information on therapeutic drug monitoring for women, and common side effects experienced by women taking HIV medications.

[ Vitamins & Minerals ] - Provides information on vitamins and minerals important for persons living with HIV/AIDS.

[ Easy to Read Pamphlets ] - Easy-to-read pamphlets on a variety of HIV/AIDS treatment-related issues.

[ Monitoring your Health & Working with your Doctor ] - Provides a general health checklist and information on preparing for appointments with your doctor.

[ When Someone You Know Uses Crystal Meth ] - Provides basic information about crystal meth and its effects, especially on users with HIV, and how to support someone who is addicted.

[ HIV and Aging ] - Explores the unique physical and mental aspects of aging with HIV, including medical issues, treatment, and emotional experiences.

Treatment Links

[ The Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange ] (CATIE)
CATIE provides information to help people living with HIV/AIDS and their caregivers make informed healthcare decisions. They promote the health of people living with HIV/AIDS by supporting them in making the decisions which affect their lives and well-being. They assist physicians and other healthcare professionals in accessing the latest information on HIV/AIDS treatment advances. They also advocate for improved research, better treatments and easier access to treatments. Their ultimate goal is to see HIV/AIDS as a curable condition.

[ Canadian Treatment Action Council ] (CTAC)
A national organization directed by people living with HIV/AIDS, the Canadian Treatment Action Council promotes informed public policy and public education, and promotes awareness on issues that have an impact on access to treatment and health care for people living with HIV/AIDS and for other vulnerable populations. Treatment is a broad concept, which includes traditional as well as complementary and alternative medicine.

[ AIDSmeds ]
This site is maintained by HIV-positive individuals and features information on antiretrovirals, side effects, drug interactions, opportunistic infections, and the latest treatment advances in HIV.

[ National AIDS Treatment Advocacy Project ] (NATAP)
NATAP's mission is to educate individuals about HIV and Hepatitis treatments and to advocate on behalf of all people living with HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C. Their efforts in these areas are conducted on local, national, and international levels.

[ Project Inform ]
Project Inform has been at the frontlines in the fight against HIV/AIDS since 1985, when reliable information about the disease and its treatment was nearly impossible to obtain. Project Inform is a national nonprofit, community based organization working to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Its mission is to:

• provide vital information on the diagnosis and treatment of HIV disease to HIV-infected individuals, their caregivers, and their healthcare and service providers
• advocate for enlightened regulatory, research, and funding policies, affecting the development of, access to, and delivery of effective treatments, as well as to fund innovative research opportunities
• inspire people to make informed choices amid uncertainty, and to choose hope over despair.

[ Gay Men's Health Crisis ]
Gay Men's Health Crisis, founded in 1981, is a model for HIV/AIDS care, education and advocacy worldwide. Its mission is to provide compassionate care to New Yorkers with HIV/AIDS; educate to keep people healthy; advocate for fair and effective public policies.

Retro Woman: Navigating Advanced Treatment Information for Women CD-Rom

The Retro Woman CD-Rom provides advanced treatment information that is specific to HIV-positive women.

Treatment Information BLOG

BCPWA's HIV/AIDS Treatment Info Blog

In keeping with our mandate to provide support for members to empower self help and self care, the B.C. Persons With AIDS Society operates a Treatment Information Program to make available up to date research and information on treatments, therapies, tests, clinical trials, and medical models associated with HIV/AIDS related conditions. The Blog provides a discussion forum that notes topics of potential interest and possible reaction that you can contribute to.

Click on the logo above to enter the Blog. A new topic is posted every Wednesday. Check in, check us out, add your comments and suggest topics that are of concern to you!!

How to Get Involved

Opportunities to become involved in Treatment Information Program include:

1. Sending in comments or ideas for a program or service you think is needed
2. Writing for for or in reply to an item in the weekly blog at: http://bcpwatreatment.blogspot.com/
3. Joining the TIAD Standing Committee and participating in the process of reaching our goals
4. Becoming a volunteer member of the BCPWA Treatment Information Program in a wide variety of areas such as :
   • Research and Write articles for Positive Living Magazine and brochures
   • Public speaking on HIV /AIDS and is effects – we will TRAIN you in public speaking and in the specialized information needed to educate others on particular information re: HIV/AIDS Treatment
   • Administrative tasks and data base entry
   • Program and event planning
   • Participation on the Treatment Information Committee to help us achieve our goals.

Why get involved?

• Increase your knowledge
• Learn new skills
• Contribute to your community and your peers
• Make new friends
• Take advantage of the benefits and perks
• Feel better about your self and your community

There are many opportunities to become involved! Without your involvement there is no Treatment Information Program

For more information contact,
Treatment Information Program at 604.893.2243 or treatment@bcpwa.org
or
Volunteer Services 604.893 2298 or volunteer@bcpwa.org.