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Thursday is national black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, and Roanoke is taking part in it.
The Drop-In Center is hosting a National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday. The Drop-In Center is located at 356 Campbell Avenue in downtown Roanoke.
The effort is designed to encourage blacks across the U.S. to get educated, tested, and treated for HIV/AIDS.
In 2011, an estimated 14,383 blacks were living with HIV/AIDS in Virginia.
Here is a news release from the Drop-In Center:
Mark your calendars and set the date! February 7, 2013 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), is a national HIV/AIDS testing and treatment community mobilization effort designed to encourage Blacks across the United States and Territorial Areas to get educated, get tested, get treated and get involved with HIV/AIDS, as it continues to devastate Black communities.
In 2009, an estimated 16,741 Blacks were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in the U.S. At the end of 2011, an estimated 14,383 Blacks were living with HIV/AIDS in Virginia; in Southwest Virginia, an estimated 1,984 Blacks were living with HIV/AIDS; and in Roanoke City an estimated 240 Blacks were living with HIV/AIDS. While Blacks represent approximately 14% of the U.S. population, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the group accounts for 44% of the nation’s new HIV infections. HIV/AIDS is the 3rd leading cause of death for both Black men and Black women aged 35-44. Unfortunately, many of those who are infected with HIV are unaware of their status and may unknowingly transmit the virus to others.
It’s time to reboot the conversation about this devastating disease so we can make a difference...and there’s no better time than February 7th! On this commemorative day, Blacks are encouraged to get educated, get tested, get involved, and get treated around HIV/AIDS.
The Drop-In Center, a program of the Council of Community Services, will host a National Black HIV/AIDS Aware-ness event on February 7, 2013 from 9am—5pm. The Center is located at 356 Campbell Ave in downtown Roa-noke. The event will offer free rapid HIV testing, light refreshments, $5 gift cards for testing, goody bags and bus passes for those who need help getting to the center. If you are currently HIV positive and not in medical care, a counselor will be available to help you link back to care and support services.