DOCK WORKER FELL INTO WORLD OF DRUGS, DISEASE

Annual Fundraiser To Raise Thousands Of Dollars For People Stricken By
HIV, AIDS

Sixteen years ago, Glenn had a good job as a longshoreman, a nice home
and two children.

However, working at the Vancouver dockside also had a dangerous
underbelly back in the mid-nineties. Drugs, he said, were openly
available. The Richmond resident finally succumbed to the lure of
crack cocaine.

Today, the 53-year-old has HIV and Hepatitis C.

"I got hooked pretty fast, to the point where I was doing crack
cocaine every day, then heroin and eventually the drugs took over my
life," said Glenn, who still lives in Richmond and doesn't want his
last name divulged. "I never shared needles nor did I ever have
unprotected sex.

"I was using my friend's water bottle to fill my syringe and the water
was contaminated with HIV and Hepatitis C ... that is the only
explanation my doctor could come up with for how I got HIV and
Hepatitis C."

Today, besides those two life-threatening diseases, Glenn has
uncontrollable diabetes and is on long-term disability.

Glenn credits the Heart of Richmond AIDS Society for helping him out
of the deep depression he fell into.

"It's comforting to go to meetings with people who are dealing with
the same issues," said Glenn, adding he takes 30 pills a day to stay
alive. "There's a sense of belonging and no judgment. The Heart of
Richmond also provides me with monthly grocery vouchers, and when I'm
feeling down I can call them and someone is there for me."

It's people like Glenn that has CBC Radio talk show host and
man-about-town Fred Lee once again hosting the 8th Annual Heart &
Soul! Dinner Dance on Saturday, Oct. 23. Lee will share the stage with
his sidekick Global TV anchor Sophie Lui.

"This is my second year and I wouldn't miss it for the world," said
Lee. "HIV/AIDS is an issue that affects us all... the people who are
silently suffering, right here in Richmond, need our help and compassion.

"I also host because Brian and his wife Joanna (Wardley) are so
wonderful and their story so compelling that it's a privileged to
support their cause."

(The Wardley's 31-year-old son Steve died of AIDS in 1992. In 1997,
the couple founded a small bereavement support group, which later
became the Heart of Richmond AIDS Society, a nonprofit organization
providing support, services and education to people living with HIV/AIDS).

One of the highlights of the gala soiree is always the diva drag
queens cabaret-style show. This year the sultry Vivian Von Broken
Hymen, a.k.a. Cameron Miller and sexy Devana DeMille, a.k.a. Michael
Hughes will sing and strut on stage.

"The audience loves this part of the show," said Lee. "I also promise
to do my best to be witty ... Sophie and I have so much fun and we
like to make it one of Richmond's signature events.

"I encourage all Richmondites to come out and support this worthy
cause and I know they will have tons of fun."

Lee's reason for getting on board to support the annual fundraiser is
the same the band members of The Usual Suspects are back again. The
five-piece band -- keyboardist Nathan Fox, bass player and vocalist
Joe Markovitch, drummer Gary Feldman, saxophonist and vocalist Alex
Jackson and guitarist Jeff Shoub -- are coming back for the second
year in a row to rock the night away. (You might remember the band
under their formers names: the Copycats or Footloose).

"We love performing and we are committed to this terrific cause," said
Jackson. "We were extremely touched by Brian's personal story and it's
such a good time that we love getting behind it.

"The drag queens are a lot of fun too."

These seasoned musicians specialize in dance music from the sixties
through the eighties -- everything from rock to disco to Motown and
more. If last year's packed dance floor is any indication, the dance
floor will shake once again.

"We will be playing three sets of chart-topping hits and we will
continue as long as the joint is still hopping," said Jackson, who
joined the band in 1992. "The audience can expect lots of dance music
and lots of fun."

Last year's fundraising gala was attended by about 185 and raised more
than $12,000. However, the society's co-founder, Brian Wardley, said
the foundation is hoping for more this year.

"We hope to get 200 people coming out this year to support us... it's
a new venue and a great night of entertainment."

Last year's gala funds came from the silent auction, raffle sales and
ticket sales.

"This year, we are adding a live auction and we have some great
packages, including a trip anywhere WestJet flies for two, which we
will add something else to go with it, weekend getaways and more,"
said Brian Wardley.

The society is also committed to educating young people about HIV.
Last year, added Wardley, they presented an HIV 101 Prevention
workshop to more than 1,500 high school students.

"Some of the money raised also goes towards purchasing grocery
vouchers to our low-income members," said Wardley. "The rest of the
funds are directed to our outreach programs and other services."

Sadly, in the last month alone, he added, membership increased by four
clients.

"We now have 46 active members," Wardley said.

The 8th Annual Heart & Soul! Dinner Dance is being held on Saturday,
Oct. 23 at the Richmond Country Club beginning at 5:45 p.m. All the
money raised will benefit The Heart of Richmond AIDS Society. Tickets
are $75, and include dinner, live music, outrageous entertainment by a
couple of hilarious drag queens, a live and silent auction as well as
raffle prizes. Call Emily Henry at 604-277-5137 or visit
www.heartandsoulfundraiser.com or email tickets@heartofrichmond.com.