“Progress is never inevitable. It is always won through courage, persistence and solidarity,” shared Meg French, Stephen Lewis Foundation Executive Director, on the global HIV response.

In November 2025, 20 years after Stephen Lewis’s Race Against Time CBC Massey Lectures mobilized people around the world to take action against AIDS, HIV activists, community leaders and renowned champions of global health and human rights gathered in Toronto. Panellists and support staff travelled using Aeroplan points to make this event a resounding and memorable success. At a critical time to raise awareness about AIDS and how to protect decades of gains, we reflected on how far we have come, and we renewed our shared commitment to the work ahead.

This powerful event was filled with moving conversations, important insights, and clear calls to action. Together, we honoured the hard-won and life-saving progress made against AIDS, while acknowledging the urgent need to stand with communities to protect this progress. 

The HIV movement continues, and every contribution makes a difference. With community, courage and shared purpose, we can and we will end AIDS.