"The History of HIV and Casey House Overview"
Presented by Thomas Egdorf

Today we will be learning more about the history of HIV/AIDS and the role played by one of Toronto’s unique and iconic charities, Casey House.

In his presentation today, Thomas Egdorf will take us back to those horrific times four decades ago to the first stirrings of the HIV/AIDS epidemic when the average life expectancy of people living with AIDS was 9 months and Toronto was experiencing a crisis that no one wanted to acknowledge. No one, that is, until a group of intrepid volunteers led by journalist and activist June Callwood founded Casey House, Canada’s first stand-alone treatment facility for people living with HIV/AIDS, and Ontario’s first free-standing hospice. The story will continue up to the present day role of Casey House as a specialty hospital, providing care and support for people living with and at risk of HIV.

Thomas Egdorf began working at Casey House in August of 2022 and was the Director of the AIDS Bereavement and Resiliency Program of Ontario for 4 years.  He has been working in the HIV field for over 30 years.  He has worked in a variety of local, provincial and national organizations.  Over the years, Thomas has presented on a range of topics including: grief and resiliency; biomedical aspects of HIV and Hep C; leadership; communication; organizational governance; nutrition and cooking skills; as well as many other topics.  One of his greatest achievements was the development of the Positive Leadership Development Institute (PLDI).  In 2010 Thomas was inducted into the Ontario AIDS Network Honour Roll and recognized for his leadership.  He was diagnosed HIV positive in 1993.

Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/971381033