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The Mylan Relay for Hope finishes its cross-country run in Hope

The Mylan Relay for Hope concluded its 8,1000 kilometre cross-country run at Hope Secondary School on Wednesday
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One hundred-and-seventy-seven days after its launch in St. John's

One hundred-and-seventy-seven days after its launch in St. John's, NL, the final three runners of the Mylan Relay for Hope, a cross-country journey to raise funds and awareness for those living with or at risk of HIV/AIDS, arrived in Hope.

The runners, representing the B.C. team, arrived on Wednesday before a crowd of students from Hope Secondary School and Mayor Wilfried Vicktor.

"Mylan and our partners The Running Room, Delta Hotels and the Elton John AIDS Foundation have created a unique, bold and ambitious national awareness campaign," said Gary Lacasse, chair of the board of the Canadian AIDS Society.

B.C. residents Pamela Haaf, Luke Bailey and Derek Flynn were the last three runners to participate in the baton exchange ceremony, which began in St. John's and continued across Canada.

They were part of the 44 men and women who participated in this 8,100 km relay run, which began on April 21 at St John's City Hall and reached Hope, B.C. on October 14. The three B.C. residents ran the last 554 km of the relay.

"From one portion of the relay to the next, province by province, we have built positive relationships and stimulated community engagement as we moved across the country. I am confident that we can build on this foundation for the future, strengthen our ties with communities and continue to raise awareness of the on-going realities of HIV infection," said Lacasse.

Sponsored by Mylan, one of the world's leading generics and specialty pharmaceutical companies, the Mylan Relay for Hope supports the Canadian AIDS Society and aims to raise funds and awareness for those living with or at risk of HIV/AIDS.

"Mylan was grateful for the opportunity to lead this important campaign. The Relay and Mylan share a goal to set new standards in healthcare,” said Naguib Fahm, president of Mylan’s business in Canada. Today, nearly 50 per cent of those being treated for HIV/AIDS in the developing world depend on a Mylan antiretroviral product.”

Mylan is a global pharmaceutical company committed to setting new standards in healthcare. Working together around the world to provide seven billion people access to high quality medicine, the company innovates to satisfy unmet needs.

“We're proud of our company's efforts to continue expanding access to these critical medicines by making high quality, more affordable treatment options available to patients who need them — the grassroots support the Relay received across the country was incredible to witness. We are grateful for everyone's support."