June 21, 2007 National HIV Testing Day to be Held June 27

BATON ROUGE, Jun 21, 2007 - Get tested today!  This is the key message being promoted during this year’s National HIV Testing Day, set for June 27.  The day is dedicated to encouraging people to find out their HIV status and helping those who are positive access treatment and reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to others.

In Louisiana, the Department of Health – Office of Public Health’s HIV/AIDS Program and its partners from around the state will work toward promoting the benefits of getting tested early and decreasing the barriers to testing among communities at risk.

Approximately 5,000 Louisiana residents are estimated to be living with HIV but are unaware of it.  Louisiana ranks as sixth highest in the nation in AIDS case rates, with over 15,000 people living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2006.  In 2005, Baton Rouge ranked sixth out of 98 metropolitan areas in AIDS case rates; New Orleans ranked seventh.

Test sites throughout the state will be offering extended testing hours on National HIV Testing Day.  A list of activities in each region of the state is on the following pages.  Testing is at no-cost and open to everyone.

National HIV Testing Day is organized by the National Association of People with AIDS, in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other national and local entities across the country.

For more information on National HIV Testing Day, contact the Louisiana Statewide HIV/AIDS hotline at 1-800-99AIDS9 (or 1-800-992-4379).

National HIV Testing Day Events

(All events are on Wednesday, June 27 unless otherwise noted)

ALEXANDRIA AREA

Monday, June 25, 2007

            “Make HIV Testing Part of Your Routine Health Care, Today at Our Health Fair”

            10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

            Mt. Zion Baptist Church

            11 16th St., Alexandria, LA 71301

Come to the health fair at Mt. Zion Baptist Church.  Get your cholesterol and blood pressure checked.  Have your eyes examined and get a free rapid HIV rest. 

For more information, please contact: Eddie O’Conner at (318) 442-1010

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

            “National HIV Testing Day 2007”

            8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

            Central Louisiana AIDS Support Services (CLASS)

            904 13th St., Alexandria, LA 71301

            Free rapid HIV testing will be available for extended hours on National HIV Testing Day

            2007.

            For more information, please contact: Eddie O’Connor at (318) 442-1010

BATON ROUGE AREA

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

            “A Day of Testing”

            12 a.m. – 11:59 p.m.

            Baton Rouge AIDS Society (BRASS)

            4550 North Blvd., Suite 101, Baton Rouge, LA 70806

The Baton Rouge AIDS Society is hosting its Second Annual “A Day of Testing” event.  “Get Tested, Get Your Results and Get on with Your Life” will be the key slogan for the day.  Come by and get a free rapid HIV test.

For more information, please contact: Mashanka Taylor at (225) 923-2437

Friday, June 29, 2007

            “Take a Swing at HIV”

            7 a.m. – 2 p.m.

            LSU golf course

            LSU Baton Rouge Campus, Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Brass will host its First Annual National HIV Testing Golf Tournament.  Come by and “Take a Swing at HIV” on the LSU golf course.  Free HIV testing will be available along with the food, drinks and fun.

For more information, please contact: Mashanka Taylor at (225) 923-8042

LAFAYETTE AREA

            “Be Aware: Make Testing Part of Your Routine Health Care”

            8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

            Acadiana C.A.R.E.S.

            203 W. Third St., Lafayette., LA 70601

Join Acadiana C.A.R.E.S. as they promote routine testing during National HIV Testing Day.  Free rapid HIV testing will be available from 8 to 8, so don’t be late.

For more information, please contact: Andre’ Mitchell or Jamesia Marsalis at (337) 233-2437

LAKE CHARLES AREA

            “Get Tested as Part of Your Routine Health Care”

            10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

            Southwest Louisiana AIDS Council

            1715 Common St., Lake Charles, LA 70601

Joint the Southwest Louisiana AIDS Council for food and fun as they host a cookout on National HIV Testing Day.  They will be offering free rapid HIV testing to anyone who would like to drop by to find out their status.

For more information, please contact: James Walker at (337) 439-5861

MONROE AREA

            “National HIV Testing Day 2007”

            8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

            Go Care

            2915 Desiard, Monroe, LA 71201

Go Care is extending their hours on June 18, 20, 25, and 27 to promote “National HIV Testing Day 2007.”  Free rapid HIV testing will be offered from 8 to 8, so don’t be late.

For more information, please contact: Richard Womack at (318) 325-1092

NEW ORLEANS AREA

            “Incoporate HIV Testing as Part of Your Routine Health Care”

            10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

            Common Ground Health Clinic

            1401 Teche St., Algiers, LA 70114

Drop by the Common Ground Health Clinic and receive free rapid HIV testing.  They will be testing all day long.

For more information, please contact:  Alicia Davis at (504) 364-1950

 “New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic Health Fair”

4 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

St. Anna’s Episcopal Church

1313 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans, LA 70116

The No AIDS Task Force will be collaborating with St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in the Marigny area to provide free medical care for musicians and the community.  They will be giving out referrals, information about HIV, and hope to stress the importance of knowing one’s status as part of healthy living.  Free rapid HIV testing will be provided.

For more information, please contact:  Allison Vertovec at (504) 821-2601

NORTHSHORE AREA

            “Incorporate HIV Testing Into Your Routine Health Care”

            12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

            N’R Peace Northshore

            2765 Third St., Slidell, LA 70458

N’R Peace Northshore will be offering free rapid HIV testing from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on National HIV Testing Day.

For more information, please contact: Lisa Valido at (985) 643-3182

SHREVEPORT AREA

            “Get Tested, Get Results”

            9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

            Philadelphia Center

            2020 Centenary Blvd., Shreveport, LA 71108

The Philadelphia Center will be extending their hours and offering free rapid HIV testing on National HIV Testing Day.

For more information, please contact Ken Beatty or Sylvia G. McIntyre at (318) 222-6633