News release from the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health:
Free HIV testing offered on June 24th
Residents urged to “Take the test, take control”
(June 23, 2015) – The Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health will be observing National HIV Testing Day on June 24th. The Department of Health has teamed up with Walgreens on Creighton to offer free and confidential HIV testing.
Free rapid HIV testing will be available Wednesday, June 24th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Walgreens, 110 E. Creighton Ave. No needles used. No appointment is necessary. Results can be given in 20 minutes.
National HIV Testing Day was launched in 1995 and is an annual campaign to encourage people of all ages to “Take the Test, Take Control.” Nearly 1.2 million people are living with HIV in the U.S., and of those, one in seven don’t know they are infected. Getting tested is the first step to finding out if you have HIV.
“Everyone should know their HIV status,” says Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health HIV/STD Prevention Director Kathy Thornson. “And getting tested is easier than ever. Just a quick swab of the mouth and results are available in 20 minutes.”
The Department of Health has been taking a proactive approach in educating residents on the importance of HIV testing, especially given the circumstance of the HIV epidemic in Southern Indiana. Public health officials in Allen County also offered free and confidential testing back on April 28th. They’ve also created flyers to display around the community.
“As I am sure many folks have heard, Southern Indiana is struggling with a significant HIV outbreak – and it is important to note that HIV is no respecter of county lines, socioeconomic status, gender or race,” says Allen County Health Commissioner Dr. Deborah McMahan, “If you do not know your status – please take advantage of the increased availability of screening.”
Thanks to a partnership with the Creighton Walgreens, the Department of Health also offers HIV testing every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. something also referred to as “Walgreen Wednesday.” The Department of Health also offers HIV testing for a fee at its clinic at 4813 New Haven Ave. To make an appointment, call (260) 449-7504.
The Positive Resource Center, formerly known as the AIDS Task Force, is marking National HIV Testing Day with a week of special free testing events. Each event is open to the public and all HIV testing is free. Testing does not use blood, the results are ready in 20 minutes, and it is completely confidential. The Positive Resource Center also provides accurate information on how to protect yourself from HIV and other STD infection and provide free protective barriers. Safer sex starts by knowing your status. Get tested today!
Tuesday, June 23rd:
Neighborhood Health Clinics 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1717 S Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne
Wabash County Health Department 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., 89 W Hill St #1, Wabash, INWednesday, June 24th:
Pontiac Mall 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., 1108 E Pontiac St, Fort WayneThursday, June 25th:
Pontiac Mall 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., 1108 E Pontiac St, Fort Wayne
Renaissance YMCA 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., 2323 Bowser Ave, Fort WayneFriday, June 26th:
Walk in Testing 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., 525 Oxford Street, Fort WayneTo find other testing locations near you, visit www.hivtest.cdc.gov or text your zip code to KNOWIT (566948).
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