Bloor Street Entertains raises $1.47 million for CANFAR’s mission ahead of World AIDS Day

Canadian Foundation For AIDS Research (CANFAR)’s annual fundraising gala, Bloor Street Entertains (BSE), returned in spectacular form on Friday night. The signature event, now in its 29th edition, raised over $1.47 million to support CANFAR’s mission to end the HIV epidemic in Canada.

Over 1,000 guests enjoyed a bespoke fine-dining experience prepared by the city’s leading chefs across luxury boutiques, fashion houses, galleries, and hotels in Toronto’s coveted Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood—before coming together at the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto for the official After Party, hosted by global trans icon Gigi Gorgeous.

Gala Co-Chairs Melissa Campisi, David Simmonds, and Dr. Trevor Born, joined by Honourary Chairs Sylvia Mantella, Candice Sinclair, Janice Fricker, and Michael Liebrock, led an inspiring evening that celebrated progress and reaffirmed purpose as the fight to end HIV in Canada continues. With new infections at their highest in more than a decade—and stigma and inequitable access to care still major barriers—CANFAR’s mission remains as vital as ever.

Even though this year’s Bloor Street Entertains has come to a close, the need for funding and advocacy continues year-round. As the world recognizes World AIDS Day on December 1, the message behind the gala feels especially urgent.

At a time when the international response to HIV/AIDS is waning, CANFAR is actively investing in community-based HIV testing solutions—including the GeneXpert rapid-testing instrument and HIV self-test kits—to help close gaps in health inequities in Canada and bring us closer to ending the HIV epidemic within this generation.

Please visit the Bloor Street Entertains campaign page or CANFAR.com to make a donation, learn more about how your contribution drives impact, and stay tuned for details on BSE30, marking the milestone 30th edition of this iconic gala in 2026.