Tom Hanks gives support to Dr. Peter

Actor Tom Hanks has written a letter in support of The Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation, named after Vancouver doctor Peter Jepson-Young, who died of AIDS.

Vancouver is celebrating its first Dr. Peter Week Sept. 3 to 10.

“In 2010, we are all a better, more hopeful people thanks to Dr. Peter and his inspirational work,” Hanks wrote. “Vancouver and the world, (we’re) lucky to have him.”

Hanks won a best-actor Oscar for his role as a lawyer with AIDS in the 1993 movie Philadelphia.