News Releases > Free HIV tests offered for National Day of Testing

ALLEN COUNTY, Ind. (May 19, 2008) - Free and confidential HIV tests will be offered as part of the lead-up to next month's National HIV Testing Day on June 27.

The first of these events will take place this Wednesday, May 21 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Lafayette Medical Center, 2700 S. Lafayette St.  The Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health will be offering free, rapid HIV testing on the main level in Suite 100.  Radio station 107.9 FM will broadcast live from the event from 4 to 6 p.m.

National HIV Testing Day is an annual campaign produced by the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA-US) ot encourage at-risk individuals to seek HIV counseling and testing.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 180,000 to 280,000 people nationwide are HIV-positive but are unaware of their status.

In addition to the May 21 event, the health department will be providing free HIV screenings, educational materials and other resources to local residents at the following times and locations:

• Wednesday, June 18, 4 to 7 p.m.  Free, rapid HIV testing will again be offered at the Lafayette Medical Center.  Radio station Hot 107.9 FM will again broadcast live from the event.
• Friday, June 27, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Free, confidential HIV testing will be offered in the health department's STD Clinic on the fifth floor of the City-County Building, 1 E. Main Street, Room 505.  No appointment is necessary.

The testing events are a collaborative effort between the health department and the Community Coalition for Healthy Choices (CCHC).  Gift cards will be given to testing participants, compliments of CCHC.

For more information on HIV testing, please call (260) 449-7504 or visit the health department's Web site at www.fw-ac-deptofhealth.com.

###