JTMF West

jtmf west is a fundraising organization, established to raise funds for hiv/aids while celebrating local artists. for 2009, funds raised by "artists for life" event will support the invaluable programs and services offered by hiv edmonton. jtmf started in new jersey in 2003, when james tolin passed away from aids related complications. a group of james’ closest friends banded together to create the jtmf (james tolin memorial fund) to raise funds for the open arms foundation, the group that cared for james in his final months. the nj-based jtmf is still going strong and recently held their 8th annual event, a production of “sordid lives”, in june 2010. when joyce labriola, one of the founding members of the nj-based jtmf, moved to edmonton in 2007, she was struck by the amazing spirit and charity of the edmonton community. she decided, in 2009, to create the jtmf west, in spite of james’ having never been to edmonton. the need is global and the message universal – we are all entitled to