JULY 24, 2025
TELUS Health for Good™ and Victoria Cool Aid Society launch series of hepatitis C testing events in Victoria
In recognition of World Hepatitis Day, TELUS and Victoria Cool Aid Society support life-saving screening for high-risk populations
Victoria, B.C. – Today,
Victoria Cool Aid Society
and TELUS Health for Good
launched a series of hepatitis C testing events enabled through the two Cool Aid Mobile Health Clinics powered by TELUS Health. Today’s event takes place at Victoria's largest shelter, Rock Bay Landing, with Cool Aid staff on site delivering hepatitis C rapid testing and TELUS volunteers providing nutritional support, helping to facilitate access to essential health services. With additional events planned throughout the remainder of the year, this collaboration will enable Cool Aid to reach their goal of completing 700 hepatitis C tests in 2025."Hepatitis C often has no symptoms, so you could have it without knowing,” said Tamara Barnett, Hepatitis C Program Coordinator, Cool Aid Community Health Centre. “Getting tested helps you start treatment early, avoid liver damage, and prevents passing the virus on to others. Our peer-led testing program has screened over 1,900 people to date, leading to over 50 successful treatments. This support from TELUS will allow us to test more people than ever this year.”
"At TELUS, we are driven by our collective desire to leverage technology and human compassion to enable better health outcomes for vulnerable populations," said Nimmi Kanji, Executive Director TELUS Friendly Future Foundation and TELUS Social Purpose Programs. "Through our longstanding partnership with Victoria Cool Aid Society, we are enabling access to life-saving hepatitis C testing directly to those facing significant barriers to accessing traditional healthcare. By combining our mobile health technology with community-based care, we are ensuring that early detection and treatment is accessible to those who need it most, helping create a healthier, more inclusive future for all."
Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver that, if left untreated, can lead to serious health problems including liver damage, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. With no vaccine available and
more than 50 million people
affected worldwide, including approximately 200,000 Canadians
, early detection and treatment can be life-saving. According to studies, the prevalence of hepatitis C can be 10 times higher
among people experiencing housing instability compared to the overall population. Fortunately, the testing process
is quick, easy, and accurate, with treatment curing 95 per cent of people within 8 to 12 weeks. Building on decades of primary healthcare and social support services, the two Cool Aid Mobile Health Clinics powered by TELUS Health have supported more than 40,000 patient visits across Greater Victoria since their respective launches in 2021 and 2023. In addition to point-of-care testing, the mobile clinics also provide wound care, STI treatment, harm reduction, outreach, and mental health care services to Victorians in need.
Additional hepatitis C testing events will take place at community locations across Victoria throughout the remainder of 2025, with dates and locations to be announced shortly.
To learn more about TELUS Health for Good, visit
telus.com/healthforgood
.