A dedicated collective of Albertan women is turning creative handiwork into global health support. On Saturday, the Grandmothers of Alberta for a New Generation (GANG) hosted its largest annual event, the Shakers and Makers craft sale, at Edmonton's Southminster-Steinhauer United Church to fund worldwide HIV and AIDS education and treatment.
Led by group chair Judy Mill, the non-profit initiative channels its proceeds directly into the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Over the past two decades, the Alberta chapter alone has contributed approximately $1.5 million to the foundation, which honors the former UN envoy by supporting similar grandmothers' networks assisting children orphaned by AIDS across Africa. Membership in the group is open to anyone regardless of parental status, with public awareness remaining a core pillar of their mission alongside fundraising.
Organizers emphasize that combating public misunderstanding remains critical. While modern medical advances have transformed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) into a manageable condition, federal data indicates that Canada recorded 2,300 new diagnoses in 2024, with an estimated 7,000 individuals remaining unaware of their status. The community-driven craft sale continues to bridge the gap in education and resources, supporting both local advocacy and international treatment initiatives.
