ABOUT
The Vancouver Friends For Life Society
The Vancouver Friends for Life Society welcomes people in the Vancouver Lower Mainland facing life challenges associated with HIV, Cancer, and Hepatitis C to participate in specialized support programs.
Who We Are.
Friends for Life was born from a moment when people were being left behind.
In 1993, during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis, many individuals faced not only illness, but isolation. Support systems were limited, stigma was high, and too many people were left to navigate one of the most difficult experiences of their lives alone.
Friends for Life was created to change that. From the beginning, the organization was built on a simple belief, that no one should have to face illness without support, dignity, and community.
Today, that same belief lives on inside the Diamond Centre for Living, a historic home in Vancouver's West End that has become a place of connection, care, and belonging.
The house itself is part of the experience. Filled with warmth, colour, and life, it offers something many people don't expect during illness, a place where they can feel safe, welcomed, and even experience moments of joy.
Here, people are welcomed as individuals, not defined by their diagnosis. They are supported not only through health services, but through community, conversation, and shared experience.
For many, it's the first place they feel like themselves again, not just someone living with illness.
Friends for Life bridges the gap between medical care and everyday life, providing access to integrative health support and a community that helps people navigate and manage illness while living fuller lives.
Because no one should have to go through it alone.
What we do.
-
Health support - naturopathic consultations and supplement support
-
Counselling, therapies and emotional care
-
Practical support - therapeutic massage therapy, reflexology, acupuncture
-
Meal programs preventing food insecurity
-
Social services navigation assistance
-
Access to community resources
-
Events, groups and shared experiences - yoga, dance and movement classes, and personal training
-
Community and connection to combat social isolation - Bingo for Life, movie night, karaoke
Values.
-
We believe everyone deserves access to care, regardless or income, identity or circumstance.
-
We meet people with understanding, empathy and care.
-
Every person is treated with respect and seen beyond their diagnosis.
