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22 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday October 22, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Racing to finish Metre or More by Saturday Local schools have opened their hearts and are running with the challenge of raising money, one metre at a time, for HIV/ AIDS in Africa. The Metre or More campaign, launched earlier this month by $Million Or More Oakville ($MOMO), challenges Oakville residents to dig a little deeper and increase their capacity to care by helping the millions suffering in Africa due to an ever-increasing AIDS epidemic. Local high schools are driving an initiative to raise metres of ribbon within their schools one toonie at a time and encourage their feeder school to follow suit. Two students from Appleby College and Abbey Park -- Judy Chiu and Meghan Borland -- are the co-chairs driving the initiative directly at the school level. These girls are working to recruit high schools and their feeder counterparts to join the fight and raise toonies for this crucial cause. There has been incredible response from public and independent schools in Oakville with 10 high schools and seven elementary schools participating. With one week left in the campaign there are an impressive 17 local schools taking part and running individual fundraising campaigns under the METRES OR MORE umbrella. "Oakville students who share the passion to help those less fortunate than themselves have come together to work on METRES OR MORE. Together we have shown teamwork, dedication and enthusiasm," said Borland. HIV/AIDS is hitting children hardest of all. It was estimated that 2.1 million children under the age of 15 were living with HIV worldwide in before reaching two years. Children are the hope of the future; Oakville's youth is taking steps to help those who cannot help themselves and improve the world they live in. Students from local schools see the need and are answering a desperate call from children across the world. They are spreading the word and reaching into their own pockets to help. Students all around Oakville have answered the challenge, are working together and digging into their pockets for some extra change to fill a metre of ribbon. With help from the education, business, private and faith sectors $MOMO hopes to raise $72,000 over the course of October one metre at a time through its Metre or More campaign. One metre is only $72 or 36 toonies. Each metre of ribbon will spread around Oakville Place, the goal is to reach one kilometre of length in total; an Oakville record. Oakville Place has generously sponsored metres of red toonie embossed ribbon and it is available for pick up at the courtesy desk for those interested in the challenge. Bring a metre home and join forces with your family, friends and neighbours; work together for every toonie raised and be amazed how easy it is to gather 32 toonies. Ribbons can be picked up at Oakville Place's courtesy desk and donations (in toonie or cheque form) can be delivered at the culminating event at Oakville Place on Oct. 25. For more information visit, www.millionormoreSLF.ca or contact them at millionormoreSLF@sympatico.ca. -- Submitted by the $Million or More Oakville campaign 2007 and almost 90 per cent of them from sub-Saharan Africa. Treatment within the first few months of birth can dramatically improve survival rates of children with HIV, but without treatment an estimated half of infants die Groups collaborate in coalition to prevent more local statistics Continued from page 16 also the recipient of the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention national service award. Her book, Hope in Action: Solution-Focused Conversations about Suicide, was published this past spring. The Halton Suicide Prevention Coalition was formed in May 2004 in response to a report from the Halton Region Health Department that presented statistics about suicide in the region. The group is a collaboration of about 30 Halton organizations and agencies, as well as interested individuals and citizens affected by suicide. Its goal is to provide leadership, advocacy and education to the Halton community about suicide awareness, prevention, intervention and post-vention. For more information on suicide prevention or to get involved with the coalition visit www.suicidepreventionhalton.ca. Take Steps against cancer this Sunday Join the Canadian Cancer Society Oakville Unit this Sunday for Taking Steps Against Breast Cancer, at Oakville Place Mall. Taking Steps Against Breast Cancer is a leisurely, non-competitive, 5km fundraising walk designed for people of all ages and all fitness levels. It's a chance for families, friends and the community to rally together and make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. The event starts at 8 a.m. with registration and a light snack for participants, courtesy of Tim Hortons. Jazzercise will get the crowd going at 8:30 a.m. with a warm up. At 8:45 a.m., the opening ceremonies, hosted by Wave 94.7 FM's Erin Clifford, will take place in Centre Court. Breast cancer survivors are encourage to join us as we celebrate their courageous battle. At 9 a.m., participants will lace up their sneakers and take to Oakville Place's indoor track for the 5km walk. A 1km Family Fun Walk will encourage young children to follow in their parents' footsteps in helping to find a cure. Live musical entertainment will be provided by Oakville's own The Last Minute Band. Participants will have the chance to enjoy a special cool-down from Hala of Living Well Pilates. Register for Taking Steps Against Breast Cancer today by visiting www.cancer.ca or by calling the Oakville Unit at 905-845-5231. You will only walk a few kilometres, but there is no limit to how far you will be moved. Every step brings us closer to finding a cure. -- Submitted by the Canadian Cancer Society, Oakville Unit AIDS fundraiser centre stage at Iroquois Ridge High School The Really Real Adventures of Scott Free and Will Do will hit the stage at Iroquois Ridge High School on Sunday, Nov. 9. The fundraiser for the Stephen Lewis Foundation and its fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa is being organized by oomama, the local chapter of Grandmothers Helping Grandmothers. The event will take place from 2-3 p.m. at the high school, located at 1123 Glenashton Dr. It features Toronto's Shrimp Magnet Theatre's live production. Tickets cost $13 and are available by calling Mary Lynn at 905827-5006 or Nancy at 905-8459013. For more information, visit www.oomam.org, www.irhs.ca or www.shrimpmagnet.com.