Items donated by celebrities are on the auction block to benefit the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR).

A group of Canadian online companies support the effort by providing links to the E-TRADE Canada Charity online auction site, where Internet users can bid for the items until June 13.

Items including a signed Wayne Gretzky hockey puck, an autographed Alanis Morrisette CD, a hat and T-shirt from actor Liam Neeson and a 1954 Jaguar will go to the highest Internet auction bidder.

"It's wonderful that the same businesses leading Canada into a new age of online commerce are also taking the lead in encouraging philanthropy online," says Valerie Pringle, the foundation's national spokesperson.

"CANFAR supports Canadian scientists in their quest to find effective treatment and even a cure for HIV/AIDS -- and online companies are showing all of us that it pays to dream big."

As of December 31, 1998, the foundation had provided $4.6 million in research grants to 186 Canadian scientists.

In addition to supporting the auction, a number of sponsors will make special donations. E-TRADE Canada will donate $100 to the foundation -- a total minimum of $5,000 -- for each new account opened by June 30 by anyone who has registered on the auction site. Visitors do no have to bid on an item to register.

Chapters.ca, another sponsor, will give those who register a $10 gift certificate, good for merchandise like books, videos, CDs and software.

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