Sudbury, Espanola wrapped in red scarves for AIDS awareness

The red scarves bedeckingSudbury lately are more than just festive decorations theRseau ACCESS Network hopes they start a conversation about HIV andAIDS.

For the second year, the community health group is running itsBundle Up in Redcampaign.

Red scarves some hand-knitted, others cut from fleece are tiedaroundstreet signs and light posts, mostly in downtown Sudbury. They are free for anyone to take, and attached to each scarf is information about HIV statistics in Canada with encouragement to get tested.

Stephanie Harris is the HIV/AIDS community development coordinator with theRseauACCESS Network in Sudbury and is also the lead on the campaign.

"It's about encouraging people to take [the scarves] down, wear them, and start having conversations with others about HIV," she said.

Harris said the project has been so successful in Sudbury, it's now headed to Espanolaon Wednesday, where the free scarves will be tied to lamp posts and street signs along Highway 6.

Harris spoke with CBCSudburyMorning North radio show hostMarkusSchwabe on Wednesday morning.

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Morning North5:44Red scarf campaign to raise awareness about HIV testing

Red scarf season is back in Sudbury. This is the second year for a campaign using red scarves to raise awareness about HIV testing. Stephanie Harris is one of the organizers behind the campaign. She joined us in studio with some details.

According to theRseauACCESS Network:

• In Ontario, 27,240 people are living with HIV
• Only 67 per cent of peopleliving with HIV know their status
• Nov.24 - Dec. 1 isHIV Awareness Week