Newburgh - National HIV Testing Day is held each June 27th and is spearheaded by the National Association of People With AIDS (NAPWA). With the national day falling on a Saturday this year, the Greater Hudson Valley Family Health Center held its local Testing Day on Thursday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 56,300 new HIV infections occurred in the United States in 2006. They also estimate that 250,000 of the 1 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States are unaware of their status.
With the motto, "know your status," many people are getting tested. On Thursday, the Greater Hudson Valley Family Health Center provided a free community event to encourage the community to take a free HIV test. In addition to free HIV testing, music, food refreshments, poetry reading, raffles and community educational materials were offered.
Throughout the afternoon people from the community stopped by to partake in the activities and get tested. Test counselors use rapid oral swabs, which deliver test results within twenty minutes without needles or a blood draw. If the results are positive, a second test is performed to verify the results. The Family Health Center also provides a variety of services to those who are HIV positive, including support groups, counseling, caseworkers and much more.
Marilyn Morales, an HIV Counselor, states that HIV is no longer being treated as a terminal disease. She emphasized that people diagnosed early can receive appropriate treatment and care. "HIV is now being treated as a chronic illness. It’s no longer a death sentence. People continue to live a full, productive life."
If you would like to receive a free HIV test, Morales says no appointment is necessary. Just come to the Greater Hudson Valley Family Health Center (3 Washington Center, Newburgh) and ask for the free test.
