AIDS Healthcare Foundation:
“It is crucial that people know their HIV status and learn how to avoid becoming infected with HIV; or if they are infected, know their status, and seek medical treatment, if needed”
AHF’s Magic Johnson ‘Testing America’ Tour, a six month, 48 state national cross country HIV testing tour, arrives in Jacksonville, Florida today and will offer free HIV testing, along with local partner JASMYN and APEL Health Services, today Saturday, March 6th at APEL Health Services, 5353 Soutel Dr., from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. All are welcome to attend.
The testing will take place on AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF’s) new, state-of-the-art ‘Testing America’ mobile HIV testing unit named in honor of and in partnership with basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Jr. The mobile unit will be available for filming and tours at the press conference. The testing will be a part of a ‘Community Day of Health’ in which a variety of free health information and screenings will be offered by AIDS Healthcare Foundation, JASMYN, DCHD New Deal, Health Planning Council, APEL Prostate and APEL YouthLink.
The AHF/Magic Johnson ‘Testing America’ tour is part of a collaborative effort to raise local and national awareness about the importance—and ease—of HIV testing and to challenge attitudes about moving toward a streamlined model of HIV testing and counseling nationwide. AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is proud to continue its second HIV Testing Tour across the US after the successful completion of its recent and ambitious 14 city AHF Magic Johnson HIV Testing Caravan in mid-2009.
“Working with respected local partners, including JASMYN and the APEL Health Services, we plan on demonstrating just how easy HIV testing can be. At each stop along the way on this nationwide tour—including Jacksonville—we will host or participate in free mobile HIV testing events and media events to raise awareness about the importance of testing,” said Azul Mares-Del Grasso, Field Services Manager, National HIV Testing Tour, AHF’s Public Health Division. “After six months on the road, our ‘Testing America’ tour culminates with a major testing event in New York City on Sunday, June 27th—National HIV Testing Day.”
During the testing tour, AIDS Healthcare Foundation will also present $1,000 grants to each of the local partners AHF is collaborating with along the way. And throughout the course of the cross country HIV testing tour, HIV testing counselors will also supply a steady stream of updates, videos and images via new media: YouTube, Facebook and Twitter postings from along the route, interviews with local partners, government officials and, when appropriate and available, interviews with people who were tested on the mobile unit. To learn how you can sign up to follow the ‘Testing America’ tour on these social media outlets, please visit www.freehivtest.net.
HIV Statistics in the United States